Cerisey - Gran San Bernardo - Etroubles

This is an itinerary I composed to enjoy a nice descent from Colle San Bernardo to Etroubles together with friends who came from Switzerland. The itinerary starts from Cerisey, where I was staying, and reaches the Col via Route 27. Unfortunately, I didn't find much for the ascent and, as my time was limited, I opted to climb always on asphalt. In some sections on the map there seem to be alternatives, but more strenuous ones that I did not probe anyway. You pass through a couple of villages and find bars and restaurants on the road. Water is also not a problem. The climb is long and with about 1100 meters of elevation gain, but it does not have challenging inclines.

The descent, on the other hand, is very beautiful and scenic, has but a few tricky passages and is otherwise quite easy, though a bit exposed (this is in dry conditions). The trail starts by exiting to the left off the highway just before the tunnel. It descends quite steeply on boulders first well laid out by the people who built the trail and then dislodged for a short distance, the rest going down the valley on firm ground, crossing the road a couple of times. Then begins a nice half-slope cut, with the wall on the left and the valley on the right, of moderate gradient. A few rocks and small landslides in exposed places can be easily overcome on foot. Finally the trail enters the woods, where shortly after it begins a descent with numerous switchbacks (all flat), fairly easy and wide, but currently (August 2025) obstructed by several fallen trees. One can either climb over or pass under the trees, or look for alternative sections. On the trailhead you will find the original trail route. You will come out on the state highway again and from there descend to Etroubles.

Of course, you can easily start and end at the same point, be it Cerisey or Etroubles.