Punta Croset – Punta del Rous

This hike is characterized by the environment variety: woods at first, wide pastures later on and, finally, the moraines below the watershed. The crest dividing Colle Croset from the Punta Croset summit is easy and enjoyable. On the way to cross and reach Punta del Rous, you will pass by the site where flight KG999, with the task to supply partisans, in 1944 crashed. Some fragments are still visible and a memorial plaque is close to the summit.

Indications

Suggested period

From May to November, at the beginning of the season, it is possible to find snowfields.

Starting point

Ala di Stura – Frazione Martassina (1202 m)

Elevation gain

1263 m

Difficulty

Travel time

4 hrs

Recommended for

Hikers
Skilled hikers

Access

Having overtaken Ala di Stura and the Cresto hamlet, cross the Martassina residential area until the Grotta della Vergine Maria. Park the car in the area in front of the sanctuary.

Itinerary

Just before Santuario della Vergine Maria, in the Martassina hamlet, take the trail on the right that enters a thick beech and ash wood. Through wide turns, the track reaches the clearing just before the Tea pasture (1520 m). Flank the meadows on the right side so as to arrive to the shelters and then proceed NW, passing by centuries-old larches that border the Prà d’souri pasture (1745 m). Now climb along an edge, among few trees, which later continues on ground littered by rocks of various size and exits on the Ciavanis pasture huts plain (1880 m). Overtake the buildings and, after a short move to the left, proceed on very steep ground until passing, first, by Pian Cumun pasture (2060 m), and later by Li Crot pasture (2125 m). Walking further, you will enter in a rocky hollow, which you will cross slightly turning right so as to find the steep rubble slopes that will take you to Punta Croset (2465 m). Among the Val d’Ala inhabitants, this summit is better known as Carlera. From the pass, descending about fifty meters on the S side and then turning W, it is possible to reach Punta del Rous. Here, near the summit, is the memorial plaque just on the site where, in 1944, the allied bomber Liberator, with the task to supply partisans, crashed.

The descent is by the same itinerary as the ascent.