Colle e Punta della Croce - da Morgex

Magnificent loop in Valdigne where terrain (dirt roads, military mule tracks, single track), landscapes (forests, lakes, several 4,000 m peaks) and anthropic formations (hamlets, alpine pastures, crotteun, fortifications, mines) are mixed

Start from Morgex toward Colle San Carlo: to climb the pass, follow the signs at the traffic circle at the entrance to Morgex (coming from the valley) or from the center of town down from the church toward the bridge over the Dora. The forks are few and obvious: at an altitude of 1300 m on the left starts a dirt road to Costablina and Monte Charvet (sent.14); before the access bridge to Costablina keep right and again right to reach Goubelin (1637 m). Continue left on a very steep dirt road to a col from which you descend to Arpy (former mining center, agro-pastoral with a crotteun, there is also a fountain). Then resume the asphalt road to climb from 1690 m to 1950 m of Colle San Carlo (fountain).

On the left starts the dirt road that leads to Arpy Lake and on the right to the Colle della Croce (the lake is visible for a part of the ascent). From the pass to the Punta della Croce is 80 m away; the summit is beyond the wooden cross at the end of the trail.

Numerous signs tell the story of the military defensive activity of the Savoy family: climbing up to the pass, on the pass and on the point, at all the fortifications on the way down. Gaining the Punta della Croce, there are breathtaking views from west to east in order, some prominent and relevant peaks: Aiguille del Trelatete, M. Bianco, Dente del Gigante and G. Jorasses, G. Combin and Velan, Matterhorn.

Descent: from summit to col compact bottom MC/BC. First section from the col dug in, with loose bottom, challenging. Then recompress and reach Cap. Sandino fortifications, turn right into a plain with a large boulder in the center.

On a military dirt road, you reach the Principe Tommaso fortifications and then Petosan: a small road among the houses slightly uphill leads to the top of the hill on the opposite side.

At a fork, do not go straight (sent.6), but left (sent.5) down towards Mollex to take path 7, one of the most beautiful and technical parts, with steps, hairpin bends, roots.

Skirting the orographic right of the Dora you return to Morgex.

L'escursionista editore no. 2 - La Thuile - Piccolo San Bernardo - Trail map (1:25,000)