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- Best season: February - March
- Aspect of the descent: E then NE
- Ascent length: 7.200m
A 360° vantage point on the Aosta Valley
Mont de la Tsa is a two-peak summit on the long E, SE ridge that descends from Mont FallĂšre and stretches as far as Pointe de Metz. Mostly in the shade in the first section, it is sun-kissed from the upper part of the Tardiva Col onwards: as a consequence, the snow conditions may differ greatly.
This is a varied route featuring a moderate length: not too popular as far as the Tardiva Col, you may pick your line of descent rather easily. The first part is within the wood, so moving ahead may not be a smooth affair. From the Ars pasture, the gradient changes and, climbing along the ridge, a breath-taking view welcomes you. The final part of the climb is truly enticing in view of the sinuosity of the slopes. On top, the view is staggering: a 360° vista on all the peaks crowning the surrounding valleys, with a privileged view on Mont Blanc to the N, Rutor and Mont Emilius to the S.
The plaisir return is freely via your uptrack.
The route is rated GS, with some sections requiring the adequate experience, to be tackled with the proper technical and physical training.
From the parking space, head due S climbing the vast slopes or the forestry road freely until you reach the hamlet of Gariache (1.472m). Head to the right and follow the shallow forestry road, then leave it after about 600 m, veering left and starting climbing the wood in a narrow passage between the trees, before finding a clearing that you will climb until its end, keeping to its right. At the end of the clearing, go back inside the wood, joining up with the forestry road again; follow it until the beginning of the Ars Valley, where the wood comes to an end. Carry on along the road, leave the Ars pasture (1.974m) to the right and climb up a small valley until you reach the Tardiva pasture (2.220m) then the Tardiva Col (2.410m) quickly, via a steep slope. From the pass, turn right and climb the wide ridge, your destination clearly visible in the distance. Stay on the ridge and leave it when the S ridge starting from the Mont de la Tsa and going to the Pointe de Chaligne starts detaching. Leave the ridge along wide pastures that lead to the steep final slope ahead of the two-peak summit. Overcome the last hillock and reach the main summit of Mont de la Tsa (2.742m), often on foot.Â
Descent:
Make the descent via your skin track, freely in the upper part.
From the top, after the first steep section, reach the Tardiva col by a short descent along gentle slopes, then the gradient increases until you reach the Ars pasture. From there, follow your uptrack exactly.
Nearby Map
Routes
Labiez (Mont)

Annibal (Col d’)

Menouve (Col de) North

Paglietta (Monte)

Chaligne (Pointe de)

Barasson (TĂȘte de)

Choume (TĂȘte de)

Flassin (Mont) Pre-Summit – Flassin valley

Vertosan (Mont)

Bois de Quart (TĂȘte de)

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