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| viharnik12. 07. 2012 19:53:42 |
From Genoa, France via Cenis pass is only about 200km and 4h drive away, so I made use of a short camping under Savoy peaks.
Cenis pass 2083m has been the most comfortable mountain link between east and west since ancient times when they even traveled with elephants over it. When the lake dries up every 10 years, remains of ancient civilization's city buildings are visible at the bottom.
In 1860 Savoy Alps were annexed to France, but only the Cenis lake plateau area with wider mountain surroundings remained under Italian administration. At that time due to strategic importance Napoleon himself in 1889 had Malamot military fort built as observation post and fortified the mountain road to the very top. Under Napoleon's campaign and conquests the entire Savoys (six provinces) were assigned to France. Later Italians built offensive complex in 1877-1908 called Campo trivacerato del Moncesini (name for Cenis). There was war too, as I even found old cartridge on a quite distant peak near Lanslevillard at 3000m height.
The mountain above Cenis called Malamot is famous for fascinating strategic position, very visited as historical target and revered among MTB riders as hardest tour around Cenis and probably most beautiful too.
Tour starts at large parking under lake at 1860m. Road then climbs nicely in switchbacks through mountain grasses, junipers and full of flowers. Due to altitude air is pleasantly cool with light breeze, so ascent despite partial steepness is really wonderful. Road is just right gravel packed with somewhat larger stones and excellent for MTB. Up we reach plateau at ruins of stone huts, where a worse road branches off to the left to Lago di Bianco - 15min. We return by the same road and at the junction follow the right road (looking up), which leads around to Malamot itself. Towards the top it was blowing stronger from the west on the leeward side, so I hiked the last 100 m a bit. Views from solitary mountain are superb over beautiful peaks of various shapes of Savoy Alps. Descent from mountain was adrenaline-packed (sometimes bob track, some jumps etc), so somewhat tiring (shaking hands during ride), but why not, as from top to Cenis dam I needed less than 30min. Elevation gain around 1100m, ascent time 2h40min. After chat with local in front of hut, the guy just congratulated me twice and was left without more words. He said he himself takes a solid 4h walking to Malamot top. Same day I drive over Cenis pass and set up camp in Lanslevillard at 1459m height.
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| VanSims12. 07. 2012 21:38:57 |
Hope you didn't forget to check the nice baroque churches around Lanslevillard. What about then further to Col d'Iseran (2700 and some  ). Then down to Val d'Isere. I did that by car then further Albertville then Chambery (palace of Savoy rulers who later became kings of Italy) then Annecy (some Savoy Venice), then Chamonix and some strolling around so-called mountaineering metropolis of the world. 10 years ago.
This year I'm heading nearby where you were but on the other side of the border.
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| ztjana15. 08. 2013 23:37:08 |
yeah tough....cool
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