| Col
du Bonnet du
Prêtre (2461m)
Pointe de la Pallaz (2709m)
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This
route goes up a suspended valley that sees few visitors in spite of its being
close to St Jean de Maurienne.
No difficulty in the summer season but care should be exerted in spring when
there is some residual snow . In the latter case, three sections may prove
dangerous
and very exposed, on entering and leaving the Voûtes ravine and before
crossing the Grande Montagne torrent. 1300m of ascent, 4 hours. IGN map TOP
25 3433 ET.
Champessuit, reached by a road starting from Hermillon. Leave the car at map point 1141m, at the end of the surfaced road.
Route
Walk up a forest trail (signposted "La Platière"), leaving another wide flat trail to your left. 500m farther up, leave to your right the Grenis forest trail and go straight and pass the ONF forestry chalet (1290m). Keep on the trail until it ends and take the path that follows towards the Voûtes ravine. After traversing the steep dark slopes of the gorge, cross the Echarondes torrent and start up the Voûtes path (numerous bends, very wild and austere surroundings, chamois). 300m higher, start a level traverse towards and into the grassy Platière valley (wooden cross, 1993). On a flat path and after crossing a few torrents, you will soon reach the Platière Chalet (also called Brunes, 1909m, 2h).
The path then veers right and proceeds up the grassy ridge above the chalet, heading for the Croix des Citrées overhead. Under the cross, the path traverses above a scree ravine before reaching the close-cropped grass of Plan du Tovet (shepherd's chalet). The Col du Bonnet du Prêtre is about 20 minutes away to the north (2461m).
From the col, Pointe de la Pallaz and Grand Coin are accessible via a steep but easy scree and dirt ridge (see Grand Coin). To the south, the Sentier Balcon route will take you to Lancheton and Montdenis, then Grenis and Champessuit (see Cime de Lancheton and Sentier Balcon).