Fort of the Small Pass, La Turra and Bon Pré from Valfréjus

Park at Valfrejus Station, near the Charmaix buildings on Rue des Bettets.

(S/E) Follow Rue des Bettets for a few dozen metres and turn right downhill to reach the playground on the banks of the Charmaix stream. Turn left to cross it.

(1) Cross the wooden bridge over the stream and follow the path on the left up into the woods to reach a place called Les Herbiers.

(2) Turn right to follow the GR®5: white and red markings. Continue along this path until you reach a fork.

(3) Take the path on the left to pass by a cave and a ruined house. Return to the GR® and continue left to the bunker to cross the bridge. Go up to the right to the next bridge, just before the small dam.

(4) Turn right to cross it, walk past the houses and follow the path, which makes two wide bends.

(5) After the last buildings, turn right onto a small, barely marked path, with Fort du Collet in your sights. Reach the fort and continue to the right to the edge of the cliff to admire the view of the Vanoise.

(6) Retrace your steps for about 30 metres, then climb up to the right on a faint path to rejoin the "official" path.

(7) Continue to the right and climb up to La Turra: take advantage of the small fountain to refresh yourself and admire the view of the Refuge du Thabor. Take the path again , following the cairns, pass La Combe de Jeay and reach a crossroads at the edge of the woods.

(9) Turn right to begin the descent and arrive at another crossroads with a signpost.

(10) Turn left towards Le Charmaix for a steep descent with tight hairpin bends. Join the GR®5 at the zip line arrival point.

(11) Take the track on the right to reach the bridge over the Charmaix stream and cross it. Leave the playground you passed on the way there on your right and climb up to the left to return to the car park (S/E).

No particular difficulties along the way, apart from the steep descent from (10).

There is little shade in the middle of the route.

There are a few water sources: at the dam (4) and at La Turra (8).

If you do this route in January, with a little snow at the top (2300 m), bring crampons and follow the route on GPS as the paths are not very visible!

Fort Small Pass is an old wartime defence shelter, used to monitor Italy and the Modane Valley.

Breathtaking views of the Vanoise and Mont Thabor.