Come with us and try to find Tour Percée – Tour Isabelle. This arch higher than 30 meters is recently know as the biggest and one of the most secret place of the Alps. Well, it might not be anymore a secret as it is nowadays an hiking goal in social network. However, be aware that this place has only been discovered in 2006.
Why? Because it is hard to find it. Hiking guides have probably not written yet on the subject and it is also such a labyrinth in order to have the chance to see it. Thus, welcome home mate, that’s a pleasure that I will try to give you the tools to live one unforgettable hiking moment.
Hiking Information
- Starting elevation: 1 066 meters.
- Tour Percée elevation : 1 926 meters.
- Total ascending elevation : 860 meters
- Time : one way 4h (I prefer to tell you more than less and you become bored)
- Season : End of spring, summer, start of autumn
- Recommendation : never go when it is wet!
Tour Percée – Tour Isabelle’s hiking guide
There are two itineraries in order to go there. Please find below the easiest itinerary.
Starting Point : Col de Marcieu, or you can park a bit higher in the “Chemin de l’Aulp du Seuil” (be careful, this “Chemin” (road) is normally only accessible for residents. Do not be surprised in case you park there and you receive a fee).
After the second turn, you will see a sign in order to turn right in the forest towards “Passage de l’Aulp du Seuil”.
During few kilometers, you just have to continue straight ahead. You will first cross a meadow (part of the ski resort), then continue straight ahead into the forest. At a moment, you will arrive in a path full of gravel. Continue straight ahead in order to go up. Later, you will cross another forest and then arrive in another “meadow” (not really a meadow but you are not anymore in the forest) which is called l’Alpette where you will have a view on the cliffs above you.
Just after l’Alpette, continue straight to go up. In the first turn, DO NOT FOLLOW the main path (GR) which turns left. Go straight into a small path going into the forest. Normally, there is a white rope stretch between two trees. Go above and continue into this path (see the map below with the yellow instructions).
At this point, you will follow the same small path during some hundred meters. At a moment, when you are really close of the first cliffs, turn left in another path. One of the point of reference is climbing spot. Then, follow the path which goes along and up to the cliff. When you are walking, the cliff should be at your right (see photos below).
Continue straight on the path. At a moment you will have to put the hands in order to pass some rocks (nothing dangerous). Then, you will finally arrive close to Pas de Ragis.
Then, DO NOT TAKE the path directly at the right, do not make the following mistake:
No more than 50 meters up (from the point of the photo), go up and “climb” (there is a distinguishable path, not dangerous) between two cliff faces. You will see, that’s a bit steep. Do not make the mistake to continue the way which turns left. You really have to climb the first path which goes up.
Then, you will arrive below cliffs. You will see a path which goes along the cliffs, follow it to the right. (see photos above).
For a long moment, you just have to go straight and to follow the path. At a moment, you will face a sensitive passage where a strong rope is here to help you. Then, continue on the same path, you will sometimes be under the cliffs as the rocks is really above your head. Few kilometers later, you will start to distinguish the Tour Isabelle – Tour Percée below. Leave the path in order to go down. You should easily guess the way as a lot of people have been walking there. I can remember a big pine tree at the intersection of both paths. The new path will be steep. Then, you just have to follow the path in order to join Tour Isabelle – Tour Percée.
Here we go, now you just have to enjoy your time here, in one of the most secret and beautiful place of the Alps:
That’s not my video but this one helped us a lot too in order to find it (written in French):
Minewhile 
Hi, how did you ask for permission to hike? It’s really a very interesting place to see and experience. Thank you for the guidance. But I am hesitant because it says it’s a private property.
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Hi @Yza,
Indeed, there are problems since many years the land owner. If you ask for pemission, it will not be possible to go there because he will refuse. With the itinerary that I advice, you have chance to do not be seen.
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