Stage 2: Cibrario Refuge – Avérole Refuge
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Overview
This stage runs between the Rifugio Cibrario (Italy) and the Refuge d’Averole (France), crossing passes above 3,000 metres and ancient glacial basins such as those of Sulè and Autaret.
Starting point
DirectionsFrom the Rifugio Cibrario, cross the Pian dei Sabiunin to reach the moraine, where the steep trail begins. It climbs 300 meters in elevation up to the glacial basin of the former Bertà Glacier (2,900 m).
With a very gentle ascent, follow the plateau while staying close to the rocky cliffs descending from Testa Sula. A series of switchbacks leads directly to the Colle Sulè (3,073 m).
From the pass, the trail descends a steep slope and continues across a scree field down to about 2,800 m, where you leave the main path and climb (following a marked pole) toward a small meltwater lake. After bypassing the pool, continue over grassy sections and faint trail tracks until you intersect a clearly visible military mule track.
Follow the mule track uphill to the right until you reach a small lake and the building of the former Rifugio Moise. From the rear of the building, continue along the clearly visible mule track toward the eastern lakes, which you leave at a distance on your right.
At the level of the outflow stream of Lago di Autaret, you intersect the trail coming from Malciaussia. Continue over scree slopes until you reach the Colle dell’Autaret (3,072 m). From the pass, descend along the steep moraine front and continue traversing across the slope until you cross the Torrent de la Lombard (2,560 m).
Continue along the left orographic bank until about 2,450 m, where, just before the Cabane des Bergers, the route turns right, leaving the main trail to descend toward a footbridge that crosses back to the right bank of the stream.
After crossing the bridge, the trail climbs slightly to the Pas de la Mule, then descends again to the Plan de Revallon in the direction of the Refuge d’Averole. Climb the slope until you intersect the trail coming from the Col d’Arnès, then follow it for the final section leading up to the Refuge d’Averole.