Country:
District:
(S/E) Departure from the Salèse car park (1670m), marker 434. Take the path that goes up the stream on the left bank towards the north-west. Follow the sparse markings ofthe GR®52.
The trail climbs up the Salèse valley below the track that leads to the hamlet of Mollières. This track is closed to vehicles unless authorised by the National Park.
Take the road for the last 200 metres to reach the Col de Salèse (2031m).
(1) Continue on this road on the other side until you reach marker 268.
(2) At marker 268, take the path on the right heading north-west (yellow markings). The slope is gentle in this larch forest. Cross a footbridge shortly before marker 269.
(3) At marker 269, continue to the right (north) towards Lac Nègre and Col de Frémamorte, still following the yellow markings. The slope becomes slightly steeper... but the stone steps make it easier to climb! You can see Caïre Pounchu ahead of you, which you will need to go around on the left to reach Lac Nègre.
After another footbridge, the path winds its way upwards. The view opens up behind you and you can see Caïre Archas overlooking the forest on the other side of the Vallon de Salèse.
(4) You arrive at Camp Soubran at 2,270 m (marker 270). From there, you can reach Lac Nègre in 15 minutes by following the path that climbs to the left and goes around Caïre Pounchu (north-west direction). There are no difficulties, the slope is steady and the path is well marked.
(5) Retrace your steps.
(4) Back at Camp Soubran, continue between the lakes eastwards towards the Col de Frémamorte. The path begins to zigzag above the Frémamorte lakes and reaches a pretty lake at an altitude of 2,457 m. Go around this lake on the right and head north, following the yellow marked trail. The switchbacks allow you to reach the Col de Frémamorte without difficulty.
(6) At the Col de Frémamorte (2,615 m), you are on the Italian-French border, marked by a casemate on one side and a bunker on the other. On the southern side (France), you have a beautiful view of the Cime de Pagari de Salèse (2,678 m), the Baisse de Rogué, the Cime de Rogué (2,705 m) and the Frémamorte Lakes. On the north side (Italy), you can see Monte Matto (3,088 m) above the Italian Frémamorta Lakes, the Po Valley (with Monte Rosa (4,634 m) in the distance, weather permitting) and the Argentera Massif (3,297 m).
To reach Cime de Frémamorte, head west-northwest and follow the trail and the few cairns that wind along the ridge, slightly on the Italian side. You will then reach a small ridge about 20 metres high that you will need to cross. This passage is a little dizzying, so be careful not to slip!
(7) At Cime de Frémamorte (2,731m), your efforts will be rewarded with a magnificent 360° panorama:
Pointe Giegn to the west, then Les Bresses, Monte Matto, the Italian lakes of Frémamorte below, Monte Rosa in the distance, the Po plain, the Argentera range, Gélas, Grand Capelet, Cime du Diable, Corsica (!!!), Cime de Rogué, the Frémamorte lakes, the sea shrouded in mist, the Estérel (?!), Camp Soubran below us, Caïre Archas and Mont Pépoiri just behind us on the right...
The return to the car park (S/E) follows the same route as the outward journey in the opposite direction... Allow between 2 and 3 hours from the Col de Frémamorte.
On the way down, we stopped for a bite to eat near Lake Nègre, which was superb.
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
