Skimo

Col d'Annibal from Prailles

The layout of the upper part of the route

The first steep slope above the Arvus Alp.

From the hill the view of the Great St. Bernard Pass

Molline bivouac partially covered by snow

The steep slope above the Arvus steep alp.

A look back at the valley just descended

Details

Prailles

Departure location

Etroubles

Municipality

challenging

Effort

Difficulty

1.443 m

Ascent vertical drop

4h 0m

Ascent time

Description

Services in the surroundings

CARREFOUR

Etroubles 1.213 m

Food and Tobacco of Crippa Stefano (C/O Marronners)

Etroubles 1.064 m

Nearby attractions

Château Verdun

Saint-Oyen 1.908 m

Vachéry Tower

Etroubles 730 m

Details

Prailles

Departure location

Etroubles

Municipality

challenging

Effort

Difficulty

4h 0m

Ascent time

1.559 m

Starting elevation

2.992 m

Arrival elevation

1.443 m

Ascent vertical drop

8.080 m

Total length

Jan - Feb - Mar - Dec

Best period

low

Crowding

Overview

This route proposes the ascent of the interesting Vallon de Molline with the arrival at Col d'Annibal, a border pass with Switzerland. The route is entirely south facing therefore always sunny. The climb is divided into two parts, the first in the lower part of the valley does not have any particular gradients then, from the Arvus alpine pasture onward, we cross the step of glacial origin that separates from the Vallon de Menouve below. Overall, it is a climb in a wide-ranging and solitary environment, since it is not among the most popular routes in the area. From the pass there is a wide panorama of the Swiss Pennine Alps and nearby Mont Velan:from the pass starts the long northwest ridge called precisely Arete d'Annibal. The descent is on the same slope with no particular route obligations.

Reaching the start

From the Aosta East tollbooth, take the tunnel leading into the Great St. Bernard Valley and continue along it, passing the villages of Gignod and Etroubles. Just before Saint-Oyen turn right, following the signs for Prailles. Go up the municipal road for about 4km until you reach the small village of Prailles dessous, the starting point of the itinerary. Park in the small parking lot in the hamlet.

The route

From Prailles dessous take the farm road that starts from the last houses of the village and begin to climb the Vallon de Menouve keeping to its orographic right. After 1.5 km a couple of hairpin bends allow you to gain some altitude before reaching the junction to Ponteilles dessous, which should be overlooked. Continue on the track passing near the Menovy pasture and shortly after taking the track to Arvus, keeping right at the fork. You finally reach the end of the lower part of the valley, veer right and reach the Arvus alpine pasture 1985 m.From the alpine pasture, the gradients change significantly, climb the glacial-origin step, for about 300 m of positive elevation gain, before reaching the characteristic moraine ridge that announces the entrance to the Vallon de Molline. Keep to the left of the moraine ridge until you reach the Molline Bivouac 2425 m. From here the valley widens, presenting at the bottom the border ridge with Switzerland. Proceed in the central part of the gorge until you reach the front of the border ridge. Climb the last 300m of steep drop aiming first towards the Tete Grise and then veer right towards the Col d'Annibal 2992 m.
Descent:The descent takes place on the ascent route without any particular obligatory passages, with pleasant and pleasantly flowing slopes, until Arvus, then the final return presents some short flat sections.