Circular signal of the Petit Mont-Cenis via the eastern ridge

A 3,000-metre peak that’s fairly easy to reach on foot via the western ridge, offering a beautiful view of the Vanoise, Lake Mont-Cenis and the Ecrins. The ridge path between the Col de Sollières and the summit requires a degree of caution. However, the circular route descending via the eastern ridge demands considerable experience of alpine hiking!
Please note: this hike should only be undertaken once the snow has cleared from the summit and the ridge path, particularly between the summit of Petit Mont Cenis and the Pas de la Beccia. This section could be rated PD II T5 (demanding alpine hiking)!

Details

n°42197142
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.64 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Extremely difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,537 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,517 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,361 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,969 ft

Description of the walk

On the D1006, drive to the Col du Mont Cenis. After the pass, turn right towards the Refuge du Petit Mont Cenis and park in the small car park on the right just before the refuge. Alternatively, park in the large car park at the refuge.
Yellow markings and signposts lead to the summit and from the Pas de la Beccia back to the car park. There are a few cairns on the ridge path between the summit and the Pas de la Beccia

(S/E) Turn right onto the ascending track, heading due north. You’ll reach a T-junction.

(1) Turn left onto the green-marked path towards the Col de Sollières. You will reach the boundary of the Sollières Temporary Firing Range, marked on the IGN map by a broad purple line.

(2) Turn right for a round trip to the two small, unnamed lakes. Then continue the ascent to reach the Col de Sollières, a junction of several paths.

(3) Turn right onto the ridge path. A sign here warns: ‘Dangerous route’ – this applies particularly to the final few metres of the ridge, which are steeper. The long traverse along the ridge is straightforward; just take care of the loose stones. You’ll reach the Signal du Petit Mont Cenis.

(4) Continue along the eastern ridge to reach the Pas de la Beccia. Route between the summit and the Pas de la Beccia on the T5 side (Tracestrack topo map), suitable only for experienced walkers with some climbing experience. This section requires great caution and a good assessment of the terrain to avoid the most dangerous areas (rock spires). The path is barely visible or non-existent. The rock is crumbly, making it difficult to find handholds and footholds.
Warning: if you do not feel comfortable on this type of terrain, turn back at the summit and return to the car park via the same route you took on the way up.

(5) Reach a small pass at the end of the north-west/south-east-facing ridge and leave the ridge by descending the northern slope. The terrain is very loose, consisting of a mixture of sand and scree. Caution here: snowfields may persist into early summer.

(6) Descend to the right via a series of fairly steep switchbacks. You’ll reach the junction with the Vallon du Grand Plan path.

(7) Turn right to walk through this valley amongst the mountain pastures until you reach a Y-shaped junction.

(8) Turn left; after a few bends, you’ll reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn left and, following the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey, return to the car park to the right of the Petit Mont Cenis refuge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,972 ft - Petit Mont-Cenis car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.63 - alt. 7,352 ft - Junction on the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.88 - alt. 8,304 ft - Detour to the lakes
  4. 3 : mi 2.69 - alt. 8,652 ft - Col de Sollières
  5. 4 : mi 3.81 - alt. 10,361 ft - Signal du Petit Mont Cenis
  6. 5 : mi 4.07 - alt. 9,728 ft - Petit Collu
  7. 6 : mi 4.66 - alt. 8,898 ft - Pas de la Beccia
  8. 7 : mi 5.67 - alt. 7,756 ft - Junction below Beccia
  9. 8 : mi 6.4 - alt. 7,697 ft - Close-up
  10. S/E : mi 7.64 - alt. 6,969 ft - Petit Mont-Cenis car park

Notes

This hike can be quite busy in summer from the start to the summit via the Col de la Sollières.
Ridge path (between points (4) and (6)) on the T5 side of the Tracestrack topographic map (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/325379...). Only for experienced walkers on very difficult routes! The path is shown on the ‘OpenStreetMap randonnée’ and ‘OpenStreetMap’ base maps (available on Visorando) under the name ‘Traccia Signal du Petit Mont Cenis’

Make sure you check the snow conditions thoroughly before setting out on this hike.

You might want to do the circular loop in the opposite direction; the section between Beccia and the summit should be easier to climb than to descend, but it’s still technically challenging!

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
Le Randonneur Masqué
Le Randonneur Masqué

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Part of the hike was completed on 26 August 26.
No problems up to the Col de Sollières, but the route marked as dangerous on the signpost really is dangerous as soon as you leave the pass – not just in the final few metres or if you take the Pas de la Beccia on the way down, which I didn’t do.
I therefore find it a bit inappropriate to downplay the warning on the sign, as the path is indeed dangerous from the pass itself – one false step could be fatal from the very first few metres of the ascent after the pass...
So, as mentioned, the hike is extremely difficult if you take the Pas de la Beccia for the descent, and very difficult if you descend via the Col de Sollières.

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POULIN Gérard
POULIN Gérard ★

Hello,
The warnings on the description page are very clear and informative about the demands of this walk.

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steph'anne
steph'anne

Overall rating : 2.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 27/07/2024. From the Petit Mont Cenis refuge to the summit, no complaints whatsoever. The route was very clear and visible. For us, things went pear-shaped during the descent towards the Pas de la Beccia. There was no trace of a path; a few cairns were visible, but after a section through a gully that could have cost us dearly! An extremely vertiginous gully, with no footholds whatsoever; everything was crumbly, even the large rocks. We managed to get out of the gully in one piece, but only through intense concentration and extreme vigilance. I would not recommend this circular route and agree with the other two reviews. Opt for a return trip instead.

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helene85a
helene85a

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We agree 100 per cent with Walkup3000’s comments. It’s a shame his review was posted whilst we were on the descent.
The path isn’t signposted and the cairns offer little guidance.
Above all, with every step, you have to check that the ground is stable, as the rock is crumbly and the ground is unstable.
Add to that the vertigo-inducing heights, and the combination can be fatal.
We hesitated for a long time about turning back but eventually completed the descent. It required a great deal of calm and composure.
The view from the summit is magnificent and well worth the detour. But it’s essential to make a round trip.

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Walkup3000
Walkup3000
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A hike I undertook in July 2024, which I strongly advise against.

It’s fine up to the Signal / weather station (i.e. up to point 4); the last 100 metres involve a climb over stony ground, but it’s relatively straightforward and the route is well-trodden and clearly marked.

However, I strongly advise against the descent (after point 4) down the other side – it’s very dangerous: extremely crumbly rock, slippery and unstable steps, and a very steep gully that won’t forgive the slightest slip! The first part of the descent might be manageable (large boulders and unstable rocks, but the slope is gentle), but then it becomes a series of steps, and at that point you have to approach it in ‘climbing’ mode (there are actually pitons in places, so it’s possible this section is usually tackled on a rope), except that the rock is completely unstable and therefore extremely dangerous.

We had to turn back after 40 minutes. Fortunately, we have a good grounding in climbing and hiking; otherwise, we could easily have had an accident. There’s no marked route, just a few cairns here and there, and it doesn’t appear on any IGN map or any other map.

We saw several people make it to the summit, including seasoned hikers, and nobody followed our route on the way down.

So best to avoid it!

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