Cima Piana Pass, from the Lac Muffé car park

Access

Leaving the motorway at the Pont-Saint-Martin toll booth, after 100m turn left to follow the state road in the direction of Aosta. After 500 metres, take the second exit at the roundabout and continue on the state road for 3 kilometres to the next roundabout. Take the second exit and follow the regional road in the Champorcher Valley. Continue on the regional road for 14.7 kilometres up the valley and through the villages of Hône and Pontboset before reaching the centre of Champorcher. Turn right following the signs for Dondena and climb up the small road for about 3.2 kilometres until you reach a clearing 🅿️ near L'Ansermet where you can leave your car. 

[0h39'] - [25.8km]

How to get there with GMaps

How to get there with Apple Maps

Introduction

The itinerary, which is very popular especially as far as Lake Muffé, allows you to reach Col de la Croix, which, together with Col Lago Bianco, constitutes one of the twin passes linking the Champorcher valley and the Champdepraz valley. It then continues along the rocky slope of Cima Piana to the pass of the same name that separates it from Cima Perché.

Description

From the car park clearing (1800m), proceed along the initially paved road. Shortly afterwards, on the right, you meet the diversions to Col de la Croix, Col du Lac Blanc, Col Terra Rossa, Grange Arcomy Damon and Barbustel hut, signposts (10), (10C), (11), (11A). Take the steep paved mule track and climb up between wooden railings. In a few minutes, you reach the turnoff for Grange Arcomy Damon, Brenve and Zuc, marker (11A). Turn left, marker (10)/(10C)/(9C) for the Lakes, proceeding on steps. As you ascend, leave the extensive Alpe Cort plateau to your right, cross the stream, and, continuing on the orographic right of the gully, climb up to the ruin of "la Grand Cort" (1944m). As you ascend, cross the turnoff to the right for Col Terra Rossa, marker (10F), continue into a hollow filled with boulders, leave the marker (9C) for Vernouille-Raty-Dondena on your left and, continuing on the (10)/(10C) marker, past a rocky drop, you reach the terrace of Lake Muffé (2076m, 0h45') with the alpine ruin of the same name. The panorama from the lake, originating from a glacial cirque excavation, ranges from the Perche peak to Cima Piana, from "la Torretta" to the "Tête des Hommes". Proceed north-west over a hump of sparse larch trees, until the trail marker (10F) for Latavè and (10C) for Colle Cima Piana crosses to the right. Neglecting, on the left, the signpost (10) for Col Lago Bianco, go up the scree mixed with sparse larch trees to the right to Col de la Croix (2287m, 1h25'). 

We now recommend spending a few minutes observing the numerous small lakes originating from glacial excavation, some unfortunately silting up, lying near the col. Towards the north, weather permitting, the Matterhorn and part of the Monte Rosa group are clearly visible. 

Now take the signpost (102) to the east, and amidst many stones you begin to go round the Cima Piana panettone. Notice, below, the basins of Lake Muffé and, further on, Lake Vernouille. As you proceed, you pass a large boulder indicating the direct ascent to Cima Piana, and after a few minutes you are at Col Cima Piana (2319m, 1h50'), a pass that interrupts the ridge between Cima Piana and Cima Perché. To admire a splendid panorama of the Monte Rosa group, it is best to descend a few metres beyond the pass. The return is by the same route: descend again to Col de la Croix (2285m, 0h20') then to Lake Muffè (2076m, 0h45') and finally to the departure car park (1800m, 1h20').