Gruppo: Alpi Cozie – Val di Susa

On the ridge that divides Italy and France over Bardonecchia, this equipped path connects the Passo della Mulattiera to Passo della Sanità, at the foot of Punta Charrà. The development is almost entirely horizontal: the equipment is mainly used to secure the progression on soil at times unstable and on thin waxes, while the vertical passages are practically absent. There is a long itinerary and great hiking breath, but to be faced with stable time because along the path there are no support points.

The recommended base is the Colletto del Colomion, which can be reached by cable car from Bardonecchia (Pian del Sole) and by car. Who climbs by car points to the small town of Puys: you arrive first to Beaulard, in Val di Susa, and — going up from the valley — just before leaving the village you cross the railway to the left taking Via San Giusto; you follow it up to a blue sign that indicates Puys at 3 km, on narrow but asphalted road. From Puys you continue on dirt until the Colletto del Colomion, where you should leave the car because beyond the bottom becomes difficult (open up Google Maps). From the parking lot you walk on the dirt road towards the Passo della Mulattiera: the path climbs first to the edge of the forest in a beautiful valley, then cuts halfway up to the pass (2412 m, 1h15 from the parking lot), where rises the barracks of the Alpini XVI, abandoned but visitable. The Passo della Mulattiera is a well-marked crossroads: it is held the left towards Punta Charrà, which faces the obvious carving in the rock. It avoids the steep direct ridge and cuts diagonally the north slope, on a blue track and radi signs, until the beginning of the equipment (15′ from the step, 1h30 from the parking lot).

The cable starts along a nod, first flat and then more marked. At first the rope is dated and lasca, but the ease of the soil does not create problems; later the nod shrinks and the bottom, made of guinea pig, gives little safety, so the cable acts as a precious handrail. We proceed between carvings and canals to be overcome with cable or chains, always to your right, with exposure that grows but technical difficulties almost null, except some point for the infido fund. The equipment ends at Passo della Sanità (2629 m, about 1h from Passo della Mulattiera). The optional climb — but recommended — to the summit follows the obvious ridge: you first gain a grassy slope on easy track up to a first natural carving, then you climb with caution between smossi rocks, transverses, spikes and rocks, following the numerous omits and red signs; where you do not follow the dorsal remains on the south side. After a couple of ups and downs you touch the top of Punta Charrà (2843 m, 1h from Passo della Sanità, 2h from Passo della Mulattiera, about 3h30 overall).

Taken to itself, the equipped part is easy and without real technical difficulties, developing mainly horizontally. What is committed is the high mountain environment: the excursion is long and requires preparation, experience and orientation, especially in case of uncertain weather. The equipment was modernized and in good condition at 2021.

Summer season, with a maximum altitude of 2843 m in the Alpine border. For the length of the ring and the exposure of some traits serve steady pace, training for the total 6h45 and attention to the snow conditions remaining in the canalons.

From the top you return to the Passo della Sanità (about 45′). From here two possibilities. The first is to retrace the Alpine Path to the Mulattiera Pass and then return to the parking lot on the ascent route. The second is to close a ring around Punta Charrà descending into French territory in the valley des Acles: it falls steeply to zig-zag on debris to the wood, where the path is almost flat, then cuts the south side up to a rocky shoulder beyond which appear the barracks of the French army under the Col des Acles; from there follow the signs that bring back to the ascent 30 From the pass you return to the parking lot (about 6h45 total).