Ascent:
From Granges de la Vallée Etroite (1,760 m), follow the path to Pont de la Fonderie (1,897 m), where you leave the Mont Thabor route to the west and climb up the slopes of Vallon de Tavernette to Col de la Vallée Etroite (2,434 m). From the pass you are just a few minutes away from Refuge du Mont Thabor (2,502 m).
Descent: Via the same route.
If you fancy something a little more demanding, you can hike from Col de la Vallée Etroite (2,434 m) to Col de la Gran Bagna (2,990 m) (suggestion A) or Roche Bernaude (3,222 m) (suggestion B).
A) Col de la Gran Bagna (2,990 m)
2,434 m. - 2,990 m.
Elevation: 550 m
Difficulty level: Challenging
Ascent: from Col de la Vallée Etroite (2,434 m) climb to Col de Fontaine Froide (2,509 m) and then follow the valley that separates Cime de la Planette from Gran Bagna to the pass (2,990 m). A beautiful north-facing slope that remains powdery for a long period.
Descent: Via the same route.
B) Roche Bernaude (3,222 m)
2,434 m – 3,222 m
Elevation: 780 m
Difficulty level: Hard
Ascent: from Col de la Vallée Etroite (2,434 m), cross under Col de Fontaine Froide. From here, a winding trail through some rocky sections leads to the pass (2,977 m) situated between Cime de la Planette and Roche Bernaude. From this point, climb up the ridge to Roche Bernaude (3,222 m). You will need to use ropes to complete this ascent. The mountaineering level is PD (peu difficile), equivalent to UK grade II.
Descent: from the summit, climb down to the south and then into the large combe that separates Roche Bernaude from Pointe Balthazar (a few passages at 40°) to reach Vallon de Tavernette, Pont de la Fonderie (1,897 m) and Granges de la Vallée Etroite (1,760 m).
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