Forte Malamot 2.914 m - con discesa su Pattacreuse

Beautiful Saturday in August, with Marina and Ivano I combined to do this loop described by many as stupendous starting from Bar Cenisio, or from la Grand Croix below the dam; we park on the roadside esplanade higher than the dam from which a hollowed out dirt road takes us to the Barrage du Mont Cenis by mtb.

Cold temperature at 8:20 am at the start, jacket is a must, but soon you will warm up.

Cross the dam and follow the military road with a fairly steep slope and acceptable bottom to the Piana del Giaset where the homonymous shelters are located. At an altitude of about 2600 you continue to the right (on the left you go to Lago Bianco that we will see from the Fort) with some ramps totally covered with loose stones and the last ramp with a compact bottom, but sustained slope. We turn left and with a traverse still interrupted by a tongue of snow we arrive at Fort Malamot.

Full hd day today.

Magnificent panorama! To the southeast, M.Bard and M.Giusalet soar above Lago Bianco; from northwest to northeast we can see the ridge from Rocciamelone to Roncia-Lamet overlooking the deep blue Lake Moncenisio below us. We can see the many peaks of the Vanoise group, in which the wide glacier stands out.

Descent: short section of the ascent route, digression to emplacement 8, then follow the meadow keeping the power pylon on the right crossing fire 10 and descend gradually until you catch a glimpse of a grassy spur that you crest.

The downhill section to the remains of the Pattacreuse Fortress is steep and slippery, trial-like.

From the Pattacreuse return on splendid military with nice hairpin bends and, keeping the road at altitude, arrive at the junction for Fort Malamot at an altitude of 2060. To follow return for the ascent route. Thanks to Marina and Ivano, one of the few occasions for rides in company.

Fraternali publisher no. 3 ? Val Susa, Val Cenischia, Rocciamelone, Val Chisone - Trail map (1:25,000)