What equipment do you need for orienteering in the Maurienne?

Planning an orienteering course in the Maurienne? First of all, you need to be aware of the weather conditions. It’s important to bring : A map of the area (orienteering map available from the tourist office), A compass, Good shoes (running or trail shoes, depending on the terrain), A water bottle (areas may be exposed and without shade), Sun protection (sunglasses, cap, sun cream).

When is the best time of year for orienteering in the Maurienne?

The orienteering courses and free-access orienteering races in the Maurienne valley start from villages at altitude. The best times are early summer and autumn: after the snow has melted, when temperatures are warming up and before the summer heat; after the summer heat and before the wet weather.

What do orienteering markers look like?

There are two different systems used on the open-access orienteering trails in the Maurienne valley: Punching: a marker, usually made of wood, fitted with a punch with a single dot pattern to check that the correct marker has been found. AURA beacons: a horseshoe-shaped beacon with the number of the beacon to be found. Why AURA? AURA is a monumental work of art that can be seen from the motorway and the secondary road that cross the Maurienne valley. This participatory work of Land Art is made up of 42,000 small aluminium auras (like as many Mauriennais) and is shaped like a horseshoe. It is located in the commune of Saint-Marie-de-Cuines. More information on the Aura

What do the levels of the different orienteering races correspond to?

The orienteering courses in the Maurienne have different levels: Green: easy level with little or no change in altitude, a limited number of markers to find and accessible to all, Blue: easy level with little or no change in altitude, accessible to people with previous experience, Orange : medium level with some changes in altitude, sometimes with a large number of markers to find, accessible to those with some experience of orienteering, Red: Difficult level, with ascents and descents and a sometimes large number of markers to find, accessible to those with some experience of orienteering, Black: difficult level, with some changes in altitude and sometimes challenging, sometimes with a large number of markers to find, accessible to experienced orienteers,

Are they accessible to everyone?

Orienteering in the Maurienne is open to everyone. Whether you’re with family or friends, sporty or looking to discover the area in a new way, from green to black, you’ll be able to find a route to suit you.

Where can I find orienteering maps?

Maps of the various orienteering races can be collected from any Explore Maurienne tourist office or downloaded from this page.

Orienteering | Explore Maurienne

the call of adventure Orienteering

Orienteering is an all-round sport that is suitable for everyone. It can be practised in a club, during an event organised by the French Orienteering Federation, or it can be practised freely on a set site.

Orienteering is a sport that helps develop a wide range of skills, such as spatial perception and logic. Whether you’re a family member, an experienced orienteer, a keen sportsman or just looking for a physical activity to do at your own pace, orienteering is suitable for everyone.

The Maurienne, with its vast mountainous terrain, is the perfect playground for orienteering. What’s more, orienteering allows you to discover the area in a different way, as close to nature as possible.

To keep the experience beautiful The right reflexes

Nature: be discreet and respectful

Just like at home: close fences tightly after you’ve gone through.
Our animal friends: avoid grazing herds and avoid crops or hay meadows.
Leave no trace: pick up your litter and leave the site as clean as you found it.

In the mountains, safety comes first

Be realistic: choose a route suited to your fitness level.
Be cautious: don’t take any unnecessary risks and always check the weather forecast before setting off.
Equipment: a compass is essential! Make sure it’s pointing due north before you set off.

Running Searching Breathing Routes in the Maurienne

Mongellafrey

Leaving from the Grande Léchère lake refuge

Green Route

very easy level, 1.5km, 12 markers

Blue route

fairly easy, 2km, 11 markers

Get the card3MB

Saint-Alban-des-Villards

Leaving from the church car park in Saint-Alban-des-Villards

Green Route

easy level, 3km, 12 markers, 150m ascent, 1 hour 30 minutes

Blue route

medium level, 7km, 11 markers, 380m ascent, 1 hour 30 mins

Saint-Colomban-des-Villards

Leaving from the centre of the village of Saint-Colomban-des-Villards

Green Route

easy level, 8 markers

Get the card5MB

Chambeaux sector

Starting from the gîte de la Tuvière
*find the markers marked with AURAs

Green route

very easy level, 2.5km, 7 markers, 150m ascent, 45 minutes

Blue route

easy level, 3.6km, 8 markers, 250m ascent, 1 hour

Red route

easy, 4km, 10 markers, 320m ascent, 1 hour 30 minutes

Get the card6MB

Sur la Balme sector

Leaving from the Plan de l’Aire car park (before arriving at the hamlet of Sur la Balme)
*find the signposts marked with AURAs

Blue route

medium level, 4.5km, 8 markers, 250m ascent, 1 hour

Red route

difficult level, 5km, 9 markers to find, 300m ascent, 1 hour 30 minutes

Get the card7MB

Croix de la Chevrotière sector

Starting from the picnic tables above the Oullaz forest house
*find the signposts marked with AURAs

Green route

very easy level, 2km, 7 markers, 100m ascent, 30 minutes

Blue route

easy level, 2.2km, 11 markers to find, 150m ascent, 30 minutes

Red route

easy, 2.5km, 18 markers to find, 150m ascent, 1 hour

Get the card5MB

Long route, Sapey sector

Starting from the picnic tables above the Oullaz forest house
*find the AURA markers

Orange route

medium-long level, 5.5km, 11 markers, 250m ascent

Red route

difficult level long, 8.5km, 13 markers to find, 540m ascent

Black route

very difficult and very long, 9km, 14 markers to find, 700m ascent

Get the card6MB

Le Mollard

Leaving from the leisure area of the Lac du Mollard
*find the markers marked with AURAs

Green route

easy level, 4 markers

Blue Course

easy level, 5 markers to find

Red course

easy level, 6 beacons to find

Get the card6MB

Albiez-le-Jeune

Leaving from Albiez-le-Jeune town hall
*find the signposts marked with AURAs

Green Route

very easy, 2km, 5 markers, 1 hour

Blue route

easy level, 2.5km, 6 markers to find, 1 hour 30 minutes

Red route

difficult level, 3.5km, 8 markers to find, 2 hours

Our answers to your questions

What equipment do you need for orienteering in the Maurienne?
Planning an orienteering course in the Maurienne? First of all, you need to be aware of the weather conditions. It’s important to bring :
- A map of the area (orienteering map available from the tourist office),
- A compass,
- Good shoes (running or trail shoes, depending on the terrain),
- A water bottle (areas may be exposed and without shade),
- Sun protection (sunglasses, cap, sun cream).
When is the best time of year for orienteering in the Maurienne?
What do orienteering markers look like?
There are two different systems used on the open-access orienteering trails in the Maurienne valley:
- Punching: a marker, usually made of wood, fitted with a punch with a single dot pattern to check that the correct marker has been found.
- AURA beacons: a horseshoe-shaped beacon with the number of the beacon to be found.
Why AURA?
AURA is a monumental work of art that can be seen from the motorway and the secondary road that cross the Maurienne valley. This participatory work of Land Art is made up of 42,000 small aluminium auras (like as many Mauriennais) and is shaped like a horseshoe. It is located in the commune of Saint-Marie-de-Cuines.
More information on the Aura
What do the levels of the different orienteering races correspond to?
The orienteering courses in the Maurienne have different levels:
- Green: easy level with little or no change in altitude, a limited number of markers to find and accessible to all,
- Blue: easy level with little or no change in altitude, accessible to people with previous experience,
- Orange: medium level with some changes in altitude, sometimes with a large number of markers to find, accessible to those with some experience of orienteering,
- Red: Difficult level, with ascents and descents and a sometimes large number of markers to find, accessible to those with some experience of orienteering,
- Black: difficult level, with some changes in altitude and sometimes challenging, sometimes with a large number of markers to find, accessible to experienced orienteers,
Are they accessible to everyone?
Where can I find orienteering maps?

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