Col de la Croix

This route takes you through the heart of the Mont Avic Nature Park. The trail begins with a steeper ascent before opening out into a wide and beautiful hollow.
From the col, there are splendid views of the Monte Rosa range. The path enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the day.
At weekends, the Muffé refreshment point is usually open, making it a pleasant stop for food and rest along the way.
For up-to-date snow conditions, you can sometimes find useful information on the website www.gulliver.it.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn left towards Aosta. At the roundabout, keep left, continuing in the direction of Aosta.
Drive past Donnas and reach Bard. After the village, at the roundabout, turn left towards Champorcher. Pass through the village of Hône and enter the Val di Champorcher.
Continue past Pontboset and follow the road until you arrive at Champorcher. At the end of the village, turn right towards Dondena. The road climbs past Grand and Petit Mont Blanc and leads to a large car park, where the road is usually snow-covered.
Alternatively, from the Verrès motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. Continue past Arnad until you reach the roundabout, then turn right following signs for Champorcher.

From the car park, follow the main road. Just after the second hairpin turn, a steep country track branches off to the right. Take this track until you reach the farmhouse. From here, continue directly uphill along the mule track, passing the last alpine hut. At this point, turn left and follow a long diagonal path that leads to the summer trail for the Barbustel Refuge.
The path runs alongside a small stream on your left and then opens out into a basin. Keeping to the trail, bear left towards a small pass. Here, leave the summer route and continue along the winter trail.
After a diagonal stretch, climb steeply to the right until you reach the Muffé refreshment point. From here, there is no set route: continue across the basin below Lago Bianco Pass, then turn right and, with a long diagonal ascent, you will reach Col de la Croix.
From the col, you can easily climb the ridge to the left, above Lago Bianco Pass.
The return journey follows the same route.