From Rubren to Marinet

(S) From the Boério Bivouac, head for the Pas de Mongioia.

(1) A clearly visible track begins by climbing the border ridge southwards, then passes underneath on the French side to bypass the piles of crushed slabs on Monte Guiep, which can be reached via its southern ridge. A short, straightforward (but optional) round trip from the 3055m point.

(2) Continue along the border ridge towards the Tête de Malacoste to an altitude of 3056 metres, shortly after crossing a semi-grassy dome.

(3) Get out your binoculars and look at the small cirque open to the east beneath the Tête de Malacoste. You can clearly see tracks crossing a shoulder between Malacoste and Punta Maït. Find the best one (staying more or less at 3000 m), cross the shoulder and begin a traverse down the south-east face of Malacoste (there are still tracks). Pass beneath the southern rocky ridge of Malacoste and reach the small valley below the Col de Malacoste, just below 2,950 m. You then need to reach the path that crosses the border ridge, slightly to the right of the Col de Malacoste.

(4) I recommend leaving your rucksack behind for a return trip along the easy western face, which will take you to the long summit ridge of the Tête de Malacoste.

(5) A magnificent panorama and unbeatable views of the route you have just covered. Take the opportunity to spot the track that passes beneath the rocky border ridge and crosses the Pas de Gandin, which is clearly visible between the imposing black mass of the Pic du Pelvat and the Tête de Gandin. Return to the pass.

(4) Continue along the ridge for a short while, then veer right to pass beneath the ridges on a descending traverse and cross a section of fairly stable boulders (a few cairns). Always stick to the grassy areas, which are more stable and easier to walk on. If necessary, descend directly to the Plan de Gandin. At the end of the season, the lake may be somewhat dry. Join the track (marked with cairns) spotted earlier. It climbs steeply for about fifty metres, leading you to a passage between a blackish dome and rather white rocks. You are at the Pas de Gandin.

(6) Don’t let yourself be dazzled by the colours of the Vallon de la Bouteille opening up below. Descend via the easiest slopes, on sight, to the valley floor. Cross an almost flat area dotted with boulders of every colour. What follows is more complex.

With the Vallon de Chabrière in view, reach a double ridge flanking a ravine. Following the cairns, it is possible to go either right or left. After “exploring”, it seemed to me that the right-hand route was the safest, despite a tricky start, to descend to the right of the ridge which you follow to reach the grassy slopes and two large cairns clearly visible from above. Cross the Chabrière valley as best you can to join the marked Tour du Bric de Rubren trail.

(7) Follow it to climb left up to the Col de l’Autaret.

(8) Continue on the Italian side to an altitude of 2,680 m.

(9) Turn right and head for the junction with the path leading left to Grange dell'Autaret.

(10) Ignore this and turn right again to head north-north-west up towards the Col du Roure.

(11) Return to France: follow the wide Roure valley as it opens up before you, passing close to the Lacs du Roure, and join the Tour du Chambeyron trail at the Bergerie Supérieure de Mary.

(12) Turn left (west) onto the path that climbs to Lac du Marinet and the hut of the same name (E).

Be careful, set off early from the Boerio Refuge and take the time to get your bearings. You really do need to read the terrain carefully. The GPS won’t tell you anything!
I’ve estimated a duration of 10 hours, which is a gross exaggeration. 9 hours would be more accurate. If it takes longer… you’d be better off heading down towards Maljasset to avoid ending up at night in a precarious bivouac where you’ll need to spend time finding water, purifying it if necessary, and so on.

If you can’t get round the Tête de Malacoste as described here, head down below the Mongioia ridge via the cairned path that drops into Italy to Grange Sablus. Cross over towards^GR®® Rui and head back up towards the Col de Malacoste along a well-trodden track. It’s a bit longer, of course.

There are two other Plan Bs to consider. Descend into Italy towards the Rifugio Meleze (approx. 2 hours) or, if you pass the Vallon de la Bouteille too late to climb two passes (Autaret and Roure), descend into France towards the Maljasset refuge. It’s a long way (2½ hours) but safe. You should aim to be at the Col de l’Autaret by 3 pm at the latest, which is about an hour before reaching the bottom of the Vallon de la Bouteille.

The Marinet bivouac is rather precarious: draughty, no water (though there is a stream nearby) and no mattresses or blankets. It’s a real shame there isn’t a proper bivouac in the area, the sort our Italian neighbours are known for.

This day may seem too long, but I haven’t found a reliable alternative that would reduce the elevation gain or the distance. Perhaps the Refuge Carmagnole on Monte Bellino, but it seems you first have to collect the key in the valley. So that’s out of the question here.

CAF MaljassetRefuge: Tried and tested! A very warm welcome from Emilie and Stéphane, and good food!
Lodge de la Cure: not tried, but the place looks nice.

Whichever you choose, do try the Sauvage beer... a local microbrewery.

Rifugio Meleze in Santa Anna di Bellino. Lovely spot, and good food too!