Crête Sèche Refuge - Ollomont

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This last stage takes place in an alpine setting. It justifies the choice of this alternative to the classic Tour des Combins. Unfortunately, the consequences of climate change are evident. The glaciers mentioned on the map no longer exist. Only rock piles remain. From the Col du Mont Gelé, the highest point of this trek, you must pay close attention to the path marked by cairns to follow on the descent. The position of these cairns is sometimes erratic. The end of this stage ends with a long and very steep descent, which can be avoided by staying on the pastoral road.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: A route around the Combins massif

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 827 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,855 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,161 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,359 m
  • ⚐ Country: Italy
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ District: Bionaz 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 45.882255° / E 7.398813°
  • ⚑
    End: N 45.849333° / E 7.309975°
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Photos

Herd of ibex.
Col du Mont Gelé.

Description of the walk

(S) From the Crête Sèche refuge, climb back up part of the path you descended the day before to Pian Della Sabbia.

(1) Not far from Bivacco Spataro, leave the Col de Crête Sèche trail on the left. Climb as best you can to Col du Mont Gelé.

(2) Begin the descent, taking care to follow the cairns. In fact, on this trail, the passage is slightly above the pass marked on the map. You may encounter numerous ibex. After passing Bivacco Regondi-Gavazzi, continue the descent where the rocky terrain gradually gives way to grass, but the slope remains steep. Reach Lac de la Baseja.

(3) Continue the descent, skirting the lakes of Leita and then dell'Inclousa, before arriving at a fork near Lake Cornet.

(4) Turn right and follow a good path alongside a small canal. Pass a few farms. The village of Ollomont is reached via a very steep descent with numerous metal steps and a few cables. Finish the stage and this tour at Ollomont Town Hall Square (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,387 m - Rifugio Crête Sèche
  2. 1 : km 1.14 - alt. 2,606 m - Pian Della Sabbia
  3. 2 : km 2.85 - alt. 3,159 m - Col du Mont Gelé (3144 m)
  4. 3 : km 6.33 - alt. 2,524 m - Lac della Baseja
  5. 4 : km 8.68 - alt. 2,358 m - Fork towards Ollomont
  6. E : km 12.48 - alt. 1,359 m - Ollomont Town Hall car park

Notes

Between (4) and (E), it is possible to follow the gentler pastoral route to reach Ollomont.

Worth a visit

(E) To return to the starting point in Saint-Rémy-en-Bosses, see here

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.