Above Bardonecchia, this cross has a particularly striking view of the winding road connecting the exit from the Fréjus tunnel to the Italian cities, beginning with Turin.
Description
Park at the large car park on the edge of the Vallone de Fréjus stream located north of Bardonecchia (S). Cross the stream and take a right on the track which soon turns into trail.
(1) Follow this trail, marked in White and Red, in a north-east direction. Then begin a long climb that is very dry and mostly without shade to reach the corners of the former military track.
(2) Continue on the path ignoring the track to Croce de Chabriere (the Chabriere cross), and on to the nearby summit, returning to the cross.
(3) Head off the track to the right through the wood heading north-west then south-west and finally south to the isolated cottage of Il Collet. NB On the attached map the legend suggests that the start is located in alpine area and the track is not mentioned, this is not true - it is in the forest and on a wide track.
(4) Continue on the access road to the mountain pastures and reach the hamlet of Vernet.
(5) Turn right on the almost horizontal path in a north-westerly direction, leading to the hamlet of Chaffaux.
(6) Reach a wide track, the head left and in a southerly direction as far as the top of the hamlet of La Moutte.
(7) Continue in that direction to soon come upon the car park.
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,339 m
- 1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1,404 m - Crossroads of the pass and the trail.
- 2 : km 1.96 - alt. 1,869 m - Crossroads of the military road.
- 3 : km 2.72 - alt. 2,178 m
- 4 : km 2.96 - alt. 2,226 m
- 5 : km 4.77 - alt. 1,873 m - Il Collet chalet
- 6 : km 5.82 - alt. 1,630 m - The hamlet of Vernet
- 7 : km 6.59 - alt. 1,647 m - The hamlet of Chaffaux
- 8 : km 7.62 - alt. 1,437 m - Hamlet of La Moutte
- S/E : km 8.11 - alt. 1,339 m
Useful Information
When the cottages are vacant, this is a great opportunity for a picnic.
Water is everywhere after the Il Collet chalet (fountains at Il Collet, Vernet, Chaffaux and even next to the path itself.
Warning: prolonged sun exposure during the climb to the cross. This hike should be done early in the morning. For the return journey this isn’t a problem as it is in the shade of the forest.
Another note: the slope is very sustained throughout the ascent of the cross (see diagram).
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Bardonecchia is an Olympic site during the 2006 Olympics hosted by Turin.
The Italian military fortifications protecting the border, including the Bramafan fort that dominates South Bardonecchia Bramafan
