Brèche Portetta and Col de Grande Pierre

A route passing through the Brèche Portetta, a cluster of small peaks including the Bec, the Dent du Biot and the Dent Portetta (2,629 m), …
We shall therefore confine ourselves to the Brèche Portetta and the various narrow passages between these jagged pillars of limestone and dolomite. The views are superb, taking in the Vanoise glaciers, the Grande Casse, the Aiguille du Fruit, the Chavière valley and Mont Blanc.

Details

15067594
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.90 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 6 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Extremely difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5,276 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,272 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,747 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,639 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to Pralognan-la-Vanoise, pass the avalanche barrier and take the first road on the right; continue for 300 m and park at Le Plan.

(S/E) Set off along the track (next to the wooden reservoir) leading to La Montagne; follow it, pass under an old ski lift and reach a path starting on the left-hand side.

(1) Head up the path on your left, following the signs for the Col de Napremont, until you reach the crossroads (signposted ‘Combe de Napremont’ (altitude 1,850 m)).

(2) Turn left onto the Col de Napremont path. Follow this steady path with numerous bends until you reach the 2,086-metre mark at a bend marked by a small cairn and the start of a track.

(3) Take the little-used track to the right at the bend, leading to the scree slope.

(4) Continue across the scree slope, following the cairns and the track, which is not always easy to see. Climb up to the right of the scree slope, facing the Aiguille d’Août and the Col du Biol, and reach the foot of the cliff. The entrance to the gap is then clearly visible on the left.

(5) Enter the breach, keeping to the right at the foot of the cliff. The climb is steep over unstable scree. Whenever the gully splits in two, take the right-hand branch. Pass the steep section where you’ll need to use your hands and, after a steep climb over the boulders, reach the Brèche Portetta pass.

(6) Cross the Brèche Portetta with the imposing Aiguille du Bec in front of you and, to your right in the distance, the Aiguille du Fruit.

(7) Descend a few metres and join the path coming from the Vallée des Avalles. Continue through the rock spires to the left, climbing along the trail to reach the summit of the Tour Penchée ridge.
The view is spectacular: below lies the Col de Napremont, and opposite is the Grande Casse.

(8) Then turn back and descend, following the cairns and the path; pass between the rock spires, continue the descent with the Vallée des Avalles below you, and reach a first plateau, then a second with a junction marked by a signpost.

(9) Turn right towards the Col de la Grande Pierre (marked with old pink paint) and reach the crossroads.

(10) Continue to the right along the fairly steep ascending path and, after 20 minutes, reach the Col de la Grande Pierre at an altitude of 2,393 metres.

(11) Cross over to the other side towards La Montagne via the steep path of the Couloir de la Grande Pierre and join the clearly visible track suitable for vehicles.

(12) Continue to the right, following the track down towards La Montagne, until you reach the hairpin bend.

(13) Leave the track, follow the path – which climbs slightly at first – and reach the junction you passed on the way there.

(2) Turn left onto the descending path you took on the way there and head for the Plan car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,639 ft - Le Plan car park. Near the - Doron de Bozel (rivère)
  2. 1 : mi 0.42 - alt. 4,970 ft - Common junction for the out-and-back route
  3. 2 : mi 1.47 - alt. 6,020 ft - Common junction for the out-and-back route
  4. 3 : mi 2.3 - alt. 6,837 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.42 - alt. 6,929 ft - Scree slope
  6. 5 : mi 2.88 - alt. 7,785 ft - Pied de Falaise
  7. 6 : mi 3.18 - alt. 8,632 ft - Passage through the Brèche
  8. 7 : mi 3.2 - alt. 8,717 ft - Start of the - Brèche de la Portetta
  9. 8 : mi 3.28 - alt. 8,678 ft - Tour Penchée
  10. 9 : mi 3.98 - alt. 7,379 ft - Junction
  11. 10 : mi 4.25 - alt. 7,218 ft - Junction
  12. 11 : mi 4.73 - alt. 7,851 ft - Col de la Grande Pierre (2393m)
  13. 12 : mi 5.37 - alt. 6,572 ft - La Montagne trail
  14. 13 : mi 6.35 - alt. 6,056 ft - Route de la Montagne – Junction
  15. S/E : mi 7.9 - alt. 4,639 ft - Le Plan car park

Notes

This hike is best undertaken from 15 July to the end of October to avoid snow-covered sections, which would make the route more difficult.
A helmet is strongly recommended due to the risk of rockfalls whilst ascending the Brèche.
A good pair of high-top boots.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Loutrus
Loutrus
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional hike for mountain enthusiasts!
As indicated, it is "extremely difficult": this warning should be taken seriously. It is essential to be equipped with good mountain boots and, ideally, a helmet due to the possibility of falling rocks, especially if you are walking in second position.
There are several technical sections. You must not be afraid of walking on unstable ground and slipping.
The final climb to the breach (between points 5 and 6) can take quite a long time and is not marked (no cairns, no landmarks; you will need to use the Visorando route, which is perfect). It is best to walk as close as possible to the cliff on the right.
When you see the breach, there are actually two: aim for the one on the right as you climb.
Once you have passed through the gap, if you are equipped (harness and lanyards or ropes), you can continue towards the Mey tower, where the route is very well marked (green hiking points).

All this is just to give a few tips to mountain enthusiasts, because this hike is truly splendid!

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Piech
Piech

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging hike reserved exclusively for experienced mountaineers.

The ascent of the pass is off-trail.
You’ll be scrambling over scree.
Bring ropes so you can rope up.

Spectacular scenery

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