Skimo

Punta Valletta from the Vallone di Serena

One climbs a steep slope among larch trees.

Details

Crévacol

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

average

Effort

Difficulty

4.0

Rating

1.150 m

Ascent vertical drop

3h 15m

Ascent time

Description

Services in the surroundings

Gran San Bernardo Ski School

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 138 m

Rental "Gal Sport"

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses 177 m

Point of interest presentation image: Rental

Reviews

09/03/2025

marcaiolo20

Description

In realtà siamo arrivati a quota 2730, volevamo dare un occhiata ai canale N/NO ma sembravano un po’ scarichi. Siamo scesi dal canalino a fianco del colle tra Corleans e quota 2730. In alto mega super polvere, parte centrale più pesante, ma sempre super sciabile e in basso tratti polverosi misti a tratti compatti.

Comment

Chi cerca trova!

More info

Road access: Ok

Upper section snow: Powder

Lower section snow: Wet Powder

Snow altitude: 1600

Equipment: Skimo equipment

Details

Crévacol

Departure location

Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses

Municipality

average

Effort

Difficulty

3h 15m

Ascent time

1.663 m

Starting elevation

2.803 m

Arrival elevation

1.150 m

Ascent vertical drop

4.900 m

Total length

Nov - Dec - Jan - Feb

Best period

medium

Crowding

4.0

Rating

Overview

Punta Valletta is a beautiful peak that divides three valleys: the Vallon de Sereina, the Comba de Citrin and the Vallon de Vertosan.
It turns out to be one of the highest summits located south of the Coumba Freida.
The approach is quite varied and is first in the Vallon de Sereina and then descending the northern slope of the Côte de Corléans and finally overcoming the final steep slopes of the Col del Clochotte and the Punta Valletta.
This route is rarely climbed but often traversed coming from the Vallon de Citrin.
The descent is on the same route as the ascent although more direct but also more complex routes are possible.
North, northwest exposure makes the trip interesting because of the condition of the snowpack, which is often powdery but conversely temperatures often remain very low.
The overall difficulty is very high, especially if you descend the gully for Farettes, and is recommended for good/very good ski mountaineers; it is advisable to be accompanied by a mountain guide.
Given its location, the summit is extremely panoramic with a wide 360° view of the main Aosta Valley peaks.

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, Etroubles, and Saint-Oyen.
Leave the road that climbs to the Great St. Bernard Pass on the right and continue on the E27 highway until you meet, on the right, the exit for the Crevacol ski resort.
Continue for about 500 m until you reach the station's large parking lot on its westernmost side.

The route

From the parking area, proceed in a westerly direction passing under the viaduct of the Great St. Bernard tunnel and, following the track of the inter-pasture road, face the first part of the trail on a very slight ascent.
Crossing the Belle Combe stream, you quickly reach the hamlets of Farettes and Ponty, and then, skirting the wooded prominences, you meet the Eteley pasture.
Walk to the left keeping to the edge of the forest as the slope increases significantly.
Rescend the bare slope, cut several times by the rural road, until you reach the cottages of Arp du Bois dessous 1950 m.
Keep the cottages to the right and continue for a short, almost flat section and then veer left at the edge of the sparse forest.
Take the ascent of the slope of the "Cresta" proceeding on a fair slope until an altitude of 2200 m where it loses some slope.
After the short shelf continue again on a discrete slope heading towards the rugged northwest face of Punta Valletta.
Go over a hump to reach another ledge and, still halfway up, go around the shoulder of Punta Valletta and then climb the steep gully that leads to the central Col Clochotte 2631 m.
Reached the pass descend a small section to join the route coming from the Citrin valley.
At the crest bend to the right to climb the north-east ridge that although it is fairly steep remains, with correct snow conditions, the best solution for the ascent to the summit 2803 m.

Descent:
The descent is compulsorily on the ascent tracks until the first shelf, afterwards there are some options ranging from following the ascent route or taking the middle part of the Vallon de Sereina and then proceeding with the classic descent, without any particular route obligations, until the parking lot.