In the steps of de Saussure
Resorts: Pré-Saint-Didier
The trail leads to Mont-Crammont, an observation point on the southern slope of the Mont Blanc range, considered an ideal spot by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, the naturalist from Geneva.
Technical information
Description of the route
From Elévaz follow the initially tarmac road, which becomes un-made, that turns off from the SS 26 to La Thuile. From Torrent follow the path that leaves the village on level ground and then turns abruptly to the left going uphill firstly as far as Quiedroz Desot, and then to the isolated house of Chamousssin. Here follow the tarmac road for 50 m and then leave it and take the well-marked footpath on the left which leads to Chanton, crossing the tarmac road twice. From Chanton, take the un-made road that leads to Miallay. After a few hairpin bends abandon the farm road and follow a path which goes off to the right going uphill diagonally across the pastureland. Then follow the ridge of Mont-Crammont. Details of the excursion: - DE SAUSSURE AND THE GIANT OF THE ALPS Horace Bénédict de Saussure, the great 18th century naturalist, obsessed with the idea of conquering the peak of the highest mountain in Europe identified the peak of Crammont as the ideal observation point on the southern slopes of Mont Blanc. THE MONT BLANC PANORAMIC OBSERVATION POINT On the summit of Crammont not much remains except the ruins of de Saussure's hut. An orientation plate has been placed there which allows people to pinpoint the main visible peaks. The panorama over Mont Blanc is truly breath-taking but from here you can also see the other "4000s" in Val d'Aosta: the Matterhorn, the Gran Paradiso and Monte Rosa.