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Warning ! June 2004 : the via ferrata giving access to Bionant is now closed, no longer maintained and thus very dangerous (access officially forbidden). The only remaining way to cross the Encombres massif, at least until the route is reestablished in some way, is via Col du Bonhomme (route 1).

The second part of the Maurienne traverse path is much shorter but the walking is also more strenuous, especially the Pin Brûlé via ferrata route. The Croix des Têtes massif is a very impressive place, especially under the Grand Pilier 600-meter cliffs. The ibex reigns over the col du Bonhomme area. The route on the west side of col du Bonhomme is on very unstable ground and changes are frequent in Spring. Choosing the Pin Brûlé route makes it necessary to have all the gear required in via ferrata sections: a harness, slings and shock absorbers and maybe a bit of rope for those unused to heights. In spite of its superior difficulty, the Pin Brûlé route is recommended for its sensational situations at the foot of the Grand Pilier ("Great Pillar") of the Croix des Têtes (600m-high cliffs). Apart from the two routes described below, there is no other way to cross the Encombres massif, except going all the way down to St Jean de Maurienne and back up to Montdenis from St Julien.

1 - Charbutan, at the end of the road that leads to Planchette. From St Martin la Porte, take the road to Beaune and turn left 800m after la Villette. Go to the end of the road.

From Beaune : Walk down the road 500m to reach Mollard. A short trail section joins the Planchette road.

Walk or drive up the road to Planchette to its terminus. Take left on the Chalengette trail, which leads quickly to a wide, flat grassy lot (shelter and parking space). The route starts behind the shelter (signpost). Made in 1993, the path is excellent all the way up to the junction with the Bonhomme path but does not show on IGN maps. The final section is steep and sustained but not really difficult. From the shelter, take the path, walk past a few houses and go down to cross the Benoît torrent (sometimes difficult in spring). The route then goes south but turns back north at the first crossing. Walk comfortably north on grassy and more mineral sections at the foot of the steep slopes under the Croix des Têtes and the Pic du Génie. The path goes beyond the Col du Bonhomme and appears to miss it, but turns back suddenly at a crossing (2030m, go left). The following section is much steeper and arduous, depending on the state the path is in. It traverses across the steep coomb where the Baisse stream flows. Cross the stream and go up the path on its right bank on steep rocky ground. Traverse left and out of the coomb towards 2300m. On much more civilized terrain, the path twists its way up before reaching the Col du Bonhomme . Scan everywhere for animals. They can't be far. To the north, the rocky summit of Chateau d'Aubert and the Perron des Encombres. To the south, a more or less level ridge goes to the Pic du Génie and the Croix des Têtes.

On the other side of the col, take a northward path leading to the Col des Parchets. Leave it quickly at the top of a long grassy ridge that widens as it goes down, between the Coteille and Glésy torrents. The path's wide bends down the ridge can be seen about 100m below. At altitude 1950m, turn left to cross the Glésy stream and climb up the opposite side. That passage may be difficult to negotiate because the ground often slides here. If the path has gone, go down along the stream and climb left as soon as possible up a steep bushy slope. You will then find a good path leading down to the Barbole forest trail towards 1500m (*). Walk down the trail to les Essarts, then Tourmentier. Continue down the trail to the Pont des Moulins and up to Montdenis. There are shortcuts, but they are impassable more often than not.

AE9 : Before the junction with the Montdenis road, a path exists that will take you down to St Julien via the Char d'Osset ridge (the start is hard to find).

Montdenis (1435m) is a charming alpine village. You will find an inn but nothing in the way of shops.

* Other route : Walk up the Barbole trail to the ONF Forestry house (very uncomfortable shelter). Turn left onto a path that climbs up the grassy slopes above the ONF chalet to the west. The path comes out at Plan du Cuir (1898m). Good grass, splendid views and a shortened next section but not without a tent.

Route 2 (Pin Brûlé)

Start left of the Planchette road, 100m before IGN map point 1361m. This route, especially for those who want to climb to the top of the Croix des Têtes, has several difficult parts in its upper section and will only be tackled by experienced walkers, unperturbed by heights. The two via ferrata sections will be downclimbed. They are not difficult, except the last overhanging 10 meters of the first section.

From the car follow a path that traverses up the Beaune forest. It joins the ridge at 1750m and will never stray too far from it. Follow a succession of steep climbs and traverses on a well-trodden path. The view on the rocky spur of the Bec de l'Aigle is impressive. Towards 2000m, set foot in a limestone coomb, then up and finally left to a short rocky gully which comes out on the ridge at the Pin Brûlé passage (dead tree)

Summit of Croix des Têtes (Recommended, but difficult; leave your rucksacks near the Pin Brûlé).

From the Pin Brûlé climb towards the summit using a steep limestone gully and path sections. Arrived at the top of the gully, traverse on to an easy but extremely airy ledge (the "tut-tut" ledge). You gain access to a last wide scree gully that climbs towards the summit ridge. Then follows a leftward traverse up limestone slabs (caution) and a grassy ridge. Under the south summit , climb a short grassy gully to the right and reach the top (2492m). Go down the same way. The north summit is very close but decidedly not for the walker.

Near Pin Brûlé, find the start of the cables, clip onto them and go down using easy rocky and grassy ledges. Reach a gully, then traverse left and go up steel rungs. The cable disappears on a very easy section, then starts again further down. Enjoy the impressive views on the Grand Pilier. You may see rock climbers on one of the few hard routes that dare go up these cliffs. At the end of the last grassy ledge, go down the last rungs (caution, very steep and more and more athletic as you go down, the only passage where a bit of rope might be necessary, especially with a heavy rucksack). You are at the foot of the cliffs. Do not forget to look up and feel small.

Go along the cliff, cross a gully and find the path that goes down the forest to the Bionant Bivouac (1700m, good shelter, mattresses and spartan comfort). The only water can be found well below the hut when the path crosses the Bionant stream.

Walk down on a good path below the hut. After a few hairpins, cross the Bionant torrent and start on the second via ferrata section (cables and ladders). The ladders are very impressive and airy. When the cables disappear, start a level traverse with a few difficult passages that require caution. Then back into the forest. At the first crossing, go right towards the Cochette* (col).

From La Cochette, go down a forest trail. Join route 1 between les Essarts and Tourmentier.