The Cross on the Alp

Description

Leave your vehicle in the small car park in the hamlet of Varvats.

(S/F) At the foot of the house, take Le Chemin de l’Alpettaz, GRP (Yellow and Red markings), which climbs steeply towards the l’Alpette de la Dame. Along the way we come across a signpost indicating an altitude of 1,110 m.

(1) At the intersection, continue uphill, facing south and then east to reach the Rigne Bâton fountain then a crossroads at hill 1280.

(2) Take the path on the left (east north-east) towards the Chalet de l'Alpe leading to the Pratcel meadow.

(3) Continue through the meadow ignoring the path on the right which goes up Alpette de la Dame and continue towards the Chalet de l’Alpe (north-east) in the small valley.

(4) At the junction of tracks, turn right, following the base of the valley.
Warning In winter the track is not visible because of the snow!
Up the valley, around a rocky glacial rise on the left (5) to see, the ruins of the Habert de Val Froide ruins above.

(6) Keep to the right of the thalweg and head back up across the slope, parallel to the rocky ridge (continuing north-east), culminating at the upper part of the thalweg at the Col de l'Alpe.

(7) From the pass, climb up to the Cross on the Alp, thirty meters in altitude over to our left.

(8) From the cross, if the weather conditions are good, there should be an excellent view.

The return route takes us west-southwest following the markers (former border between the Dauphiné and Savoie) and poles (yellow markings) to return to the Chalet de l’Alpe below and the GR9 (White and Red markings).

(9) Turn left and follow the posts of the GR9. Beware, the path crosses a lapiaz area (fissures that are more or less deep) that can be covered with snow. Come back to Pas de l'Echelle.

(10) The descent after this should not be difficult. However, be careful not to stray into the undergrowth to find the entrance to the Pratcel valley and the route on the way up.

(4) Turn right again and head back along the way in. Cross Pratcel meadow again (3) then reach the crossroads at point (2). Take a right to return to the car park in the hamlet of Varvats (S/F).