Sentiero Attrezzato degli Alpini a Punta Charrà

Overview

The Via Ferrata degli Alpini is a historic high-altitude route linking the Passo della Mulattiera to the Passo della Sanità, the latter being the traditional access point for the normal ascent of Punta Charrà. The itinerary unfolds along the Italian-French border ridge, offering a predominantly traversing, ledge-based experience. The fixed metal structures serve essentially as safety handrails on a rock substrate that is degraded in places and across exposed passages, with virtually no challenging vertical sections. This is a long and highly rewarding route for hikers, but it should be avoided in bad weather due to the marked exposure and the lack of refuges along the way.

Approach

The logical starting point is the Colletto del Colomion, reachable by car or, alternatively, via the cable car from Bardonecchia (Pian del Sole) followed by an ascent along the ski slopes. For those arriving by car, the destination is the hamlet of Puys. From Beaulard, in the Val di Susa, just before leaving the town (coming from the valley), turn left onto via San Giusto, crossing the railway. Continue along the road following signs for Puys (about 3 km of narrow but paved road). From Puys, continue on a dirt track to the Colletto del Colomion, where you park, as the road beyond is unsuitable for normal vehicles.

From the parking area, take the dirt road (impassable for cars) heading toward the Passo della Mulattiera. The trail first ascends along the edge of the forest in a wide valley, then continues with a traverse at mid-slope until it reaches the Passo della Mulattiera (2412 m), reachable in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Here stands a disused but visitable Alpini barracks. At the pass, a junction of trails, follow the clear signs for the Ferrata degli Alpini to the left, in the direction of Punta Charrà, easily recognizable by its characteristic rocky notch. Avoid the steep direct ridge and traverse diagonally across the north face of the mountain on a clear track marked with blue waymarks, until you intercept the start of the fixed equipment (about 15 minutes from the pass, for a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes from the parking area).

Via Ferrata

The equipped route begins along a ledge, initially almost flat and then progressively steeper. The steel cable in the early sections is dated and somewhat slack, but the modest difficulty doesn't compromise its usefulness. The ledge's morphology gradually narrows, and the gravelly ground offers little stability, making the cable a valuable aid as a simple handrail. The route continues through natural notches and gullies, always keeping the cable or chains on your right. The exposure gradually increases, while the technical difficulties remain limited, except for the instability of the terrain in some spots. The fixed equipment ends at the Passo della Sanità (2629 m), reached in about 1 hour from the Passo della Mulattiera.

The via ferrata runs entirely on limestone-dolomite rock, often shaped into suspended ledges and thin ribs. The pace is continuous and steady, with no forced stops or sudden strenuous sections, but it requires constant attention due to the friable nature of the rock and the lateral exposure that becomes increasingly pronounced. The route is eminently scenic, offering continuous views of the Bardonecchia basin and the peaks of the nearby border.

From here, the ascent to Punta Charrà is optional but highly recommended. Climb a grassy slope on an easy track to the start of the actual ridge, characterized by a first natural notch. The progression, while presenting no mountaineering difficulties, requires caution among unstable stones, short traverses, rocky spikes, and small slabs. Follow the numerous cairns and red waymarks, staying on the south side when moving away from the crest. After a couple of ups and downs, you reach the summit of Punta Charrà (2843 m) in about 1 hour from the Passo della Sanità (2 hours from the Passo della Mulattiera, for a total of about 3 hours and 30 minutes from the start).

Descent

The return initially follows the same route back to the Passo della Sanità (about 45 minutes from the summit). At this point, there are two options. The first is to retrace the Ferrata degli Alpini back to the Passo della Mulattiera and from there descend to the parking area following the approach route. The second option, longer but of great scenic interest, involves completing a loop around Punta Charrà by descending into French territory in the Vallone des Acles. Descend steeply on a zig-zagging debris-covered slope until reaching the tree line, where the trail becomes gentler and more pleasant. Traverse the south side of the mountain to a rocky shoulder, beyond which you can see the ruined French army barracks below the Col del Acles. Following the signs, then ascend back toward the Passo della Mulattiera (about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the Passo della Sanità, 2 hours and 30 minutes from the summit). From here, return to the parking area via the trail already used on the ascent (total time for the loop: about 6 hours and 45 minutes).

The descent through the Vallone des Acles offers a complete change of scenery, moving from the rocky, airy environment of the ridge to a more pastoral, wooded landscape, with a more relaxed walking pace but on a trail that is often steep and uneven in the upper sections.

Useful Notes

Considered in its equipped component, the Via Ferrata degli Alpini is easy to execute and lacks significant technical difficulties, developing horizontally. However, the context is that of high mountain terrain and requires adequate physical preparation and experience to manage the considerable length of the excursion and navigation in case of a sudden weather deterioration. It is not uncommon to encounter snow-filled gullies even in early summer in exposed sections, so carrying an ice axe is advisable. The equipment, modernized, was in good condition as of 2021. This historic trail, built by the Alpini before the Second World War for transporting supplies sheltered from the French side, was later restored for hiking use. The friable terrain of the area has suffered damage over time, and the last significant maintenance dates back to 1994, carried out by the Guide Alpine of Bardonecchia.

The character of the route is therefore more hiking than mountaineering, but the experience is deeply tied to the morphology of the ridge: a long and fascinating suspended traverse, where the sense of exposure prevails over technical commitment, offering a feeling of continuity and immersion in the alpine border environment.