Cols de la Lauze and Cols des Frères Mineurs

A visit to two passes at the head of the Vallon des Frères Mineurs in the Montgenèvre ski resort.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 868 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 861 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,583 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,830 m

Photos

Description of the walk

On leaving Montgenèvre heading towards Italy, turn left onto the Route du Village du Soleil and park in the large car park at the right-hand bend.
(S/E) Stay on the road towards Le Village until you reach the junction with the forest track.

(1) Turn left onto it; this is theGR®5trail, known as the Chemin des Baisses. Follow the sign for Chaberton; the almost flat track reaches a junction above the Bergerie des Baisses.

(2) Keep to the left to reach the mountain pasture.
At the next junction, keep left and, after a left-hand bend, the track becomes a path. This is still theGR®5, which, via a long but very easy traverse, reaches the Col des Fonds junction.

(3) Take the path on the left which leads to the Col de la Lauze.

(4) Return then to the Col des Fonts.

(3) Turn left onto the Trois Frères Mineurs path, reaching it after a very pleasant, easy climb.

(5) Return to the Col des Fonds.

(3) Follow the same route back to the crossroads at the sheepfold.

(2) Head down to the left to reach the Baïsses shepherd’s hut.
Cross the stream and follow the left bank of the Rio Secco to reach a footbridge.

(6) Cross the footbridge and head towards a large field near the Italian village of Clavières.
Then follow the path (signposted Chaberton), head up this path, leaving the path on your right as you climb, and continue straight on to reach the departure station of the Mont Quitaine chairlift, which leads to the Village du Soleil. Then head up the road to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,858 m - Car park on Route du Village du Soleil
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 1,867 m - Crossroads: Chemin des Baisses
  3. 2 : km 2.43 - alt. 2,059 m - Bergerie des Baisses crossroads
  4. 3 : km 4.59 - alt. 2,418 m - Col des Fonds
  5. 4 : km 5.15 - alt. 2,524 m - Col de la Lauze - Col de la Lauze (05)
  6. 5 : km 7.17 - alt. 2,583 m - Col des Trois Frères Mineurs
  7. 6 : km 12.53 - alt. 1,830 m - Footbridge over the Rio Secco
  8. S/E : km 13.46 - alt. 1,858 m - Car park on Route du Village du Soleil

Notes

There is no water on this route apart from a small stream that resurfaces in the mountain pasture below the Col des Fonts.

Worth a visit

A long but interesting walk through this valley, still untouched by the Montgenèvre ski resort. If you’d like to discover a mountain pasture with gently rolling terrain, bordered by a magnificent wall formed by the Pic du Lauzin and Tête des Fournéous ranges on one side and the Trois Scies and Rocher Garnier on the other, head there soon. Indeed, the Montgenèvre resort is planning to expand its ski area, and this spot has been chosen for the development. But even if you visit after the work is complete, you’ll still have the pleasure of admiring the 3,000-metre peaks visible here: the Chaberton, the Rochebrune and the Thabor, not to mention the panoramic view of the Ecrins.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2016
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A winter hike.
I’ve made a video with the names of the peaks, which captures the atmosphere of my journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwRkBr1r...

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Alibegoud
Alibegoud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Starting with the Col des Frères Mineurs, then the Col de la Lauze, with the option of returning via the Crête du Chalvet: it’s a longer route with more elevation gain, but it’s well worth it for the 360° panoramic views

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Isabelle D3.
Isabelle D3.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We did this hike with a slight variation, however; we set off from the village and made our way to the top station of the Chalvet cable car via the Petit Balcon, then climbed up through the mountain pastures to reach the summit of the Chalvet, all the way to the information board. From there, following the ridges, we reached the Col de la Lauze and followed your route back down. It was a lovely circular hike!

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ludovrh
ludovrh

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike above Montgenèvre; make sure you allow enough time to reach the pass so you can be treated to a breathtaking view of the Marapa rocks

At the junction for the Col du Chaberton and the Col de la Lauze, follow the signs carefully towards the Col de la Lauze

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