Col Fenêtre

Introduction

A long hike (more than 15 km between ascent and descent) in which you climb the Verrogne valley in its entirety, passing between numerous bumps and a beautiful refuge that is nearing completion. Once you reach the pass, the panorama is truly beautiful, both over the uphill valley and the opposite side, where you can see the Mont Flassin valley and, further north, the peaks of the Gran San Bernardo area. Difficulties can be encountered in the initial traverses on the little road and in the ascent of the last steep section towards the pass, where knives can be useful even on non-icy slopes. On the return trip, apart from the first steep section, look for the best slopes between the various bumps in order to avoid having to push in some short sections and, if you want to extend the descent a little, you can descend again beyond the outward little road to take another little road that is also on the right. From here you still skirt the side of the mountain and, having reached the cross-country track, you pass under an alpine pasture and finally reach the copse where the car park is located. 

Description

 From the bottom of the car park, climb to the right towards the gentle slopes that rise above the cross-country ski runs and, keeping to the left, head towards a mountain pasture that is clearly visible high up below the ridge that descends from the Punta Leysser. Without reaching the building, one passes below it and reaches a small post on the right, which is at the entrance to a small road. One follows it, making a few traverses that, depending on the conditions, may require some attention. After following the sinuosities of the side of the mountain, one comes out into the more open spaces that give access to the Verrogne valley; one enters it remaining a little to the left, ascending the slopes at the lower points between the numerous bumps and, rising, one then moves towards the central part where the Fallere hut is located, which is only seen, however, at the last moment. Past the hut (2392 m), continue towards the upper slopes, moving to the right towards a long buttress located in front of the western slope of Mont Fallére. Without descending to the lowest point of the little valley, we turn left towards the now clearly visible crest that is the destination of this hike. Heading in that direction, we head below the pass where, on its right, we begin the strenuous ascent with numerous steep hairpin bends that then lead us up to gentler slopes from which, moving to the left, we reach our panoramic destination.