Col Marmontana

This itinerary runs along the edges of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, with the upper section following the Alta Via no. 1 and the Tor des Géants routes.
The first part follows a track before climbing through wide valleys up to the pass. In the initial section above Lago Vargno, the trail is less visible.
From the pass, you can see Lago Chiaro and the Tourrison valley, which descends to Issime, and opposite, the Crenna dou Leui leading to Niel.
On the descent, it is recommended to take a short detour of a few minutes to visit Lago Torretta or Lago Fournoil.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin.
At the second roundabout, turn left in the direction of Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred meters before turning right onto the Lys Valley road, which you follow all the way to Fontainemore.
Pass through the town center and continue for about two kilometres, then, on the right, follow the signs for Coumarial. Continue along this road until you reach, on the left, the turn-off for Pillaz. Follow the road for about a hundred meters until reaching the small car park just past the houses.
(The road is still passable up to the Saral hamlet, but parking may be difficult.)

From the small car park, climb to the right until you reach the road at the next hairpin bend. Follow it to the left until the no-entry sign.
From this point, continue along the road, which alternates between paved and dirt sections, until reaching a large dirt car park.
Here the road forms eight steep hairpins, but it is possible to take a trail on the right that cuts across them, leading to a small bridge over the stream.
Continue along the dirt road until the second hairpin, where a trail on the left begins, leading to Col Marmontana.
The trail climbs steeply through a larch forest, emerging near Alpe Grangeas, where a dirt track comes from above. Follow the track for a short distance, then descend slightly to the left to cross the stream, and climb steeply to rejoin the track.
Follow it to a junction, turn right, and reach the Alpe Pére Bionche Dessous, where a left turn takes the trail to Pére Bionche du Milieu, a fully renovated alpine pasture. Continue on level ground along the track until it ends, where the trail begins, climbing steeply but without being exhausting, until reaching Col Marmontana.
The return follows the same route. It is recommended, just before reaching Pére Bionche du Milieu, to take a short left detour to visit the beautiful Lago Torretta or Lago Fournoil.