Col Lacroix

Description

This hike, by the lower mountain pass for Italy, walks you through a forest with trees of over 500 years and views on the top of the Guil and Val Pellice. An important crossing and privileged exchanges with the Val Pellice. Discover the ruins of the refuge of Napoleon III, indicative of the importance of existing cross-border relations through this pass. You will go through an old forest where you will see remarkable trees of over 500 years. From the car park, go up the road for about 100m and turn left onto a track. Climb for 400m and take the path on the right. 1 - Cross a river, enter the forest and get on the winding path. The path continues on the right and overlooks the stream of Combe Morelle. Follow on level a trail a bit airy. Continue in the valley and in turns, leave behind a sheep pen and the Napoleon refuge on the left. Continue until Col Lacroix Start the descent on the same path used to ascend. 2 - After 50m, take the left path. Cross the stream and follow the valley. Enter the larch forest and after a short delicate passage, follow the same path on the left. Continue downhill through the forest to reach Echalp. 3 - Descend the road and reach the car park from the starting point.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Getting there

Start: Parking de la Monta, Ristolas, Abriès-Ristolas (05).

Sources

• Track: Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Chemins des Parcs), Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (www.cheminsdesparcs.fr/trek/27729-RISTOLAS---Col-Lacroix). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 648 m, Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur