Overview

A high-altitude route in a harsh and spectacular setting, linking the Refuge d’Averole to the Rifugio Gastaldi via the Passo del Collerin, at the foot of imposing peaks such as Albaron and Uja di Bessanese.


Starting point

Directions

The trail starts behind the Refuge d’Averole, where the ruins of the old building can be found, and climbs the grassy slope heading northeast. Through steep switchbacks, it crosses a rocky step and then approaches the right orographic side of the Ruisseau du Veillet stream. The route follows the stream up to about 2,600 m, where, at the level of a clearly visible frontal moraine, it turns right and crosses it.

Continue in an east–northeast direction, ascending the moraine until you reach a small rocky step (2,850 m), where, heading north, you return to the right bank of the stream. This crossing may require some caution if the stream is swollen due to recent rain or snowmelt.

The trail resumes in a northeast direction, climbing the steep moraine ridge until it reaches the basin above the remains of the Des Grandes Pares Glacier. Here, the path temporarily disappears on the Clapier Blanc (3,030 m).

Heading north, you can spot a saddle beyond which the summit of Albaron becomes visible. To reach it, the route first continues with a gentle ascent in a north–northeast direction up to 3,100 m, then drops slightly into a basin toward some schistose rocky steps, before describing a north–northwest arc that leads to the saddle. Once you reach the rocky steps, the trail becomes visible again and climbs the slope up to the summit plateau.

The trail markers lead to the schist ridge skirting Punta Audras, which is followed for about 150 metres before the route gently descends, still on the French side, returning to 3,200 m to reach the Passo del Collerin.

Here begins the descent on the Italian side, which takes place over a steep slope of unstable scree. The steep couloir descends for about 200 m and leads to the Pian Gias Glacier (3,000 m). The descent continues along the center of the slope, staying on the right orographic side of the stream flowing out of the glacier, until it reaches the boulder fields beneath the ridge of Rocce Rosse (2,730 m). Here the route crosses the stream, passing above a rock slab emerging from the moraine, and continues until it meets the trail toward Ciamarella, where it crosses the stream again, returning to the right-hand bank. Upon reaching the signpost, the route leaves the path descending to Pian della Mussa and follows the track on the right. Traversing along the mountainside, it leads to the Rifugio Gastaldi.