Croux col, from the Barmaz car park

Introduction

It is a very short but often beautiful downhill route. It can be done from the first snowfall in December until the beginning of May.

Description

From the square where you leave the car, cross the stream and with a very steep stretch (which is normally done with skis on your back) you reach the beautiful Cheneil basin. Alternatively, it is possible from the forecourt, without crossing the stream, to go up to the left along the track of a steep little road, pass under the little church and with a downhill traverse reach the basin. Pass the houses of Cheneil and climb up into the sparse larch forest. Before the last larch trees, cross a beautiful hollow to the left and reach the Champsec huts. From the huts, ascend a steeper section that leads to a wide hollow below the pass. Move to the right and climb the steep gully that leads to the col just to the right of a large rock. With good snow conditions, the descent can be made directly along a small valley leading to the plateau (in this section beware of the possibility of avalanches falling from the steep slopes of Punta Falinère.