and Chaberton, wide ring traverse, from near Claviere
It is impressive to reach the summit of the Chaberton, a mountain overlooking the Val di Susa, and find the remains of the famous fortification on which six cannons were installed: the Chaberton Battery, that was destroyed shortly after the start of World War II. Vintage photos found on the web are just as impressive in giving an exact idea of the size of the fortification ...
We have chosen to get there by making a dual ascent and making a beautiful ring, that is going up first on the Rochers Charniers and then on the Chaberton. Nothing prevents to make two separate tours, appropriately using the attached track.
You get to Montgenevre (FR) coming from Cesana and just before the turn to the right following the signs for the "Village du Soleil" at a dirt road with poles and a barrier, where you can park
You follow the narrow road that leads to the Vallon des Baisses
until you reach the lower station of a chair lift.
You continue along the main valley that points to the Col des Trois Freres Mineurs, that you will not reach because you will divert to the right
To your right is the ascent route to Chaberton (which you will do downhill). You climb up
and the slope gets narrower and narrower as you go up.
So you go uphill up to the summit of the Rochers-Charniers
You can go down the same path forward or, as in the attached track, go down along the beautiful slopes facing north-east
The next goal is right in front of you
The descent is fantastic
You put back the skins to go up towards the Col Chaberton
After reaching the saddle
the goal is clearly visible
and the surprise of finding the remains of the Chaberton Battery is impressive
The views are wonderful
You go back down to the saddle and then back to the Vallon des Baisses reaching the chairlift that you met on your way up.
■ fb, 2014-04-06