Sestrières Wood and Torrent du Vallon, starting from Montgenèvre

Park in the car park by the covered trench opposite the ski runs, near Saint Maurice Church on Rue de l’Église.

(S/E) Turn right onto Rue de l’Église, continue to Rue des Sablon, turn left to cross the underpass, and continue until you reach the Durancia building.

(1) Turn right onto the wide forest track, which leads downhill, and keep to the right at the next junction. You’ll reach a designated rest area.

(2) Carry on to quickly reach the shared^GR® 5 and 653D.

(3) Take this path to the left, continuing downhill, and follow the red and white markings until you reach the junction with the Chemin du Vallon.

(4) Carry on straight ahead along the^GR® to reach the bottom of the descent at the Ravin du Vallon junction.

(5) Leave the^GR® here and start a steep climb along the path on the left. After several hairpin bends, you’ll reach a forest track.

(6) Follow this track to reach the Torrent du Vallon.

(7) Begin another descent, passing through the Chalets du Vallon. Stay on this track and, after a few hairpin bends, you’ll reach a junction with the Chemin du Vallon path.

(8) Keep left on the track to reach the junction with the Chemin du Vallon that you passed earlier.

(4) Follow the route you took on the way out in the opposite direction to return to the Durancia junction.

(1) Turn right onto Rue du Bois de Setrière and continue to the roundabout at the entrance to the underpass. Keep to the right, then cross the road and return via Route d’Italie to the car park at Saint-Maurice Church (S/E).

There are no water sources along this route.
Shelter is available in the blockhouses and pillboxes.
Between (7) and (8), the Vallon chalets are occupied.
This hike requires a good level of fitness as there are some challenging sections. There is a steep uphill section between (5) and (6).
Standard hiking kit is required, and as this route is not very busy, please inform a friend or family member of your route if you are setting off alone.

(S/E) Saint-Maurice Church: this religious monument dates from^{the 18th century}. The lantern, fitted with an oil lamp and hung on the south-southeast wall of the bell tower, was used to guide travellers when visibility was poor.
(8) Viewpoint over the Clarée Valley.
During this walk, where you might not come across a single soul for an hour or more, do take the time to visit the blockhouse, the pillbox and the shelter where the French soldiers were stationed; they defended this strategic pass at the start of the Second World War and repelled all Italian attempts to breach it in 1940.
The whole region is dotted with defences that formed part of the Maginot Line – known as the Alpine Line – in the south-east of France. There is an excellent half-day tour led by a local historian who skilfully brings this period to life; the tour concludes at a dam capable of halting any invasion in six seconds.
To benefit from this historian’s extensive knowledge, visit the Montgenèvre Tourist Office – booking is essential.
Enjoy the stunning view over the Clarée Valley. It is worth noting that the Clarée should have been one of the tributaries of the Rhône rather than the Durance, which has a much lower flow rate, but the Roman occupation decided otherwise.