Country:
City:
South of Briançon, walk past the station then take the road towards Villar-Saint-Pancrace. Cross the village and continue along the D36 towards Le Villaret. 450m after the end of the hamlet, head up the track on the left to the Rocher Baron climbing centre. Then take the track on the left and follow it up to the Pas du Rif. Park at the edge of the hamlet in the field used as a car park, situated to the right of the track.
(S/E) From the car park, continue along the track heading south-southeast for about 400m.
(1) At the signpost, leave the track and take the path on the left towards the Calvaire du Vallon. Climb westwards for about 50 metres. Turn left and continue south-east for the same distance. Turn right towards the west-north-west. After walking for just under 100 metres, the path turns left and heads generally south-southeast. The path climbs through the larch forest, crosses the track and then rejoins it (fence crossing).
(2) Head down the track to the left towards the east for about twenty metres. Leave the track and gently climb the path to the right. On this path, which becomes almost level, reach and then cross the Torrent Saint-Sébastien. Climb up the south-eastern slope and then descend southwards towards the trough of the valley. Cross the torrent again.
After a south-westerly traverse, the path emerges from the forest and leads to a vast plateau where the Calvaire du Vallon cross stands. A lovely spot for a picnic. Join the Alpavin path to the south-east of the plain.
(3) Turn left and climb again through the forest. A sign points towards Alpavin. As you gain altitude, the landscape becomes more rocky. The path leaves the forest and climbs up the slope through scree below the chapel, running alongside the Combe de Fond Froid to the south-east. It reaches the foot of a cirque bounded by the ridges of Serre Chapelle and Alpavin, separated by the pass of the same name.
(4) Below the pass, turn right to begin a 750m south-westerly ascent.
(5) Leave the path that is supposed to lead to the Col de la Moutière, take a sharp left and follow a faint track across the scree towards the east to easily reach the Crête de l’Alpavin. Follow the ridge east-northeast, descending towards the Col de l’Alpavin.
(6) Climb up the opposite ridge and then follow the Crête des Pénitents by sight towards the Aiguille of the same name.
(7) This broad ridge is ideal for a contemplative break. The Aiguille lies within a dolomite massif that is well worth visiting (if you choose this option, you will need to bypass a rocky outcrop on the right).
You reach a gap and then a ledge which, after a traverse to the right, allows you to reach the south face situated to the right of the massif.
(8) Via a very easy climb, you reach the highest part of the face accessible by hiking. Climb just a few metres to reach the ridge. Stop there, as beyond this point it is no longer hiking but mountaineering requiring the use of protection.
For the return, retrace your steps back to the Col de l'Alpavin.
(6) Descend to the right down the scree slope to the north-west to rejoin the path you took on the way up.
(4) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to your car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Moderate 
