Mont Giassez

A hike to a very accessible summit in the Piedmont, offering sweeping views of the surrounding French and Italian peaks and the Écrins.

Details

423518
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.31 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,986 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,002 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,458 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,456 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: From Briançon, cross the Col de Montgenèvre, head down towards Turin, then exit at the foot of the pass at Cesana Torinese. Cross the village heading south and take the SP215 towards Sauze di Cesana. Pass through Bousson and, on leaving the village, take the road on the right towards Thures. Drive through the hamlet and follow the track to Rhuilles. On leaving the hamlet, turn right, cross the Thuras stream and park on the left-hand side of the track. There is space for five to six vehicles.

(S/E) Follow the track uphill towards the Col de Chabaud to the ruins of the hamlet of the same name. Continue past the hamlet.

(1) At the junction, turn left and follow the Chabaud torrent along the Sentiero Balcone.

(2) At the next junction, leave the Sentiero Balcone leading to the pass and take the path on the left towards Mont Giassez.
After a traverse along the hillside towards the east, the path winds its way up the northern ridge of our summit. At an altitude of around 2,400 metres, the path emerges from the forest and leads into the pastures. You will come within sight of a military building.

(3) After passing the building and reaching the cairn, take a sharp left-hand bend. You’ll come to a second building; continue along the path to reach the summit, marked by a cairn.

(4) Return along the same route in the opposite direction to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,472 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.44 - alt. 6,424 ft - Trail junction
  3. 2 : mi 1.64 - alt. 6,463 ft - Path junction, lane
  4. 3 : mi 3.54 - alt. 7,930 ft - Military building
  5. 4 : mi 4.16 - alt. 8,435 ft - Summit of Mont Giassez
  6. S/E : mi 8.31 - alt. 5,472 ft - Car park

Notes

I’ve made a video, including the names of the peaks, which shows the route and describes the atmosphere of the walk.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Thanks, Chris.

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Chris3084
Chris3084

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, mostly through larch forests. Many thanks to “Britanicus100” for posting it.
This route is described as a round trip, though from Mont Giassiez it’s perfectly possible to carry on westwards through the mountain pastures and head down towards the easily recognisable valley!
You’ll eventually rejoin the path you took on the way out. This makes for a much more varied hike.
Note that there is a plentiful spring at the following waypoint: Long 6.83005 Lat 44.89357.
Despite the elevation gain of over 900 metres, the difficulty remains low.

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Pat05340
Pat05340

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk, stunning views, easy to follow

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Edited:

I think this refers to the markings on the track at the start of the route, as the trail itself is very clearly marked.

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djezair
djezair

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I think the guidebook is a bit out of date. In fact, these days, from the building onwards, the path continues without any room for hesitation, and whilst there may still be some cairns, they’re not at all helpful.
As it stands, the map isn’t particularly useful.
On the way down, there are plenty of shortcuts that significantly reduce the total distance

It’s a very pleasant walk with a splendid view from the summit, but that’s not all. The even terrain makes it a relatively easy route.
Highly recommended.

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