CESANA T.SE Monte Fraiteve from San Sicario

The route starts from San Sicario Alto, reachable from Cesana Torinese (6 km) by taking the provincial road towards Sestriere and turning left after a couple of kilometers; after starting the climb and passing San Sicario Borgo, you proceed to a series of numbered hairpin bends; just after the sign of the 4th hairpin, turn right to access the "La Sellette" lifts where you can leave your car in the large parking lot from which the hike begins at an altitude of 1,720 m. Passing right in front of the start of this chairlift, you take the uphill road near a stream, ignoring the junctions to the left that lead back to the village. From here begins a climb, sometimes steep and sometimes very steep, on straight stretches and a series of hairpins, all through the woods; after skirting a ski slope on the left with artificial snow cannons, and a subsequent clearing, ignore the path to the right towards Champlas Seguin and instead turn left passing in front of the "Roccia Rotonda" lifts, reaching after 2.2 km from the start and at an altitude of 2,040 m the location Soleil Beuf with its namesake restaurant. Taking the wide track that with a short climb turns slightly to the right and ignoring the road to the left (alternatively you can take the steep path of the Olympic ski slope, which emerges on the road higher up), you start to walk a diagonal on flat gradient for about 1.3 km through the woods, until a plateau on the right at an altitude of 2,110 m, where there is a characteristic frame and a picnic table; here the view is beautiful with the Chaberton in the foreground. Ignoring the descending track, take the road from the left coming from Monte Rotta which is followed for about 150 meters then abandon it at about 2,140 m turning left towards Roccia Rotonda and Col Basset; the road from Soleil Beuf up to this point was "hybrid" (one side asphalted and one dirt), now it becomes a dirt road again. At about 2,200 m you meet the "Sentiero Bordin" coming from the right and continuing on the road still bordered by larches, at 2,250 m a trail begins on the left allowing you to reach for a possible refreshment the Baita Mavie refuge, with its characteristic beam and slab roof structure, located in an extremely panoramic position, while continuing from there you soon reach the arrival of the "La Sellette" chairlift always on the left. After a hairpin turn to the right, passing at the foot of Roccia Rotonda where the larches are now sparse, and from which the Fraiteve antennas are already visible, you pass under the Roccia Rotonda lift which ends slightly above the road, and you reach at about 2,420 m and after 5.8 km from the start, Rifugio Martin on the left hilltop, from where the ski lift starts towards Monte Fraiteve. Here the road turns sharply to the right, passing over a tiny pond, then again to the left, then passing under a footbridge at about 2,550 m, above which stands the Pourcel Chapel, reachable by taking a short detour to the right on the road. From here begins a long almost straight stretch always climbing, at the beginning of which the antennas are visible again (also the remains of a shelter just below), and very close: it would be enough to cut across a path through the meadow to reach them; however, it is recommended to proceed along the road which, besides being very panoramic, is also interesting, being at times carved out close to the slope consisting of markedly stratified and very dark rocks in the final part. At the end of this diagonal, near a saddle at about 2,630 m overlooking the Vallone di Rio Nero, another one immediately begins to the right which traverses contour lines on a flat gradient reaching the base of Monte Fraiteve, and with a final climb amid the lifts that ascend both sides, you reach the summit at 2,702 m. You enjoy a 360° view: the Upper Val Chisone with its secondary valleys Argentera and Thuras, the Monginevro and the French glaciers, the Susa Valley.

Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the environment and the season.

By car from Turin follow the signs for the North Ring Road towards Trafori - Frejus. Take the A32 highway towards Bardonecchia and exit at Oulx - Monginevro - Sestriere.

Continue on S.S 24 towards Cesana Torinese and then on S.P 23 towards Sestriere.

After 2 km turn left at the San Sicario sign. Pass the first village of San Sicario Borgo and after about 3 km park in the direction of the Ski-Lodge Cable Car lift

Parking available near the Ski-Lodge Cable Car lift

- Before undertaking any hike it is advisable to check weather bulletins or ask for information at local Tourist Offices.

- It is good practice not to hike alone, always inform someone of your destination.

- Do not litter but carry your waste with you, collecting possibly that left by others.

- The reported walking times are indicative and may vary based on weather conditions and individual capabilities.

No water points

Soleil Boeuf refreshment point open in summer, check opening and availability before starting the hike