Pointe de Bellecombe

The Pointe de Bellecombe is a 2,775 m high mountain of the northern Cottian Alps.

Pointe de Bellecombe
Highest point
Elevation	2,775 m (9,104 ft)[1]
Prominence	280 m (920 ft)[2][1]
Coordinates	45°13′03″N 6°50′53″E
Geography
Pointe de Bellecombe Location in the Alps
Location	Savoie (France)
Parent range	Cottian Alps
Climbing
Easiest route	hiking

Geography

The mountain from the Ambin Valley

The mountain is located in the French departement of Savoie (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), near the Italian border. It belongs to the main chain of the Alps and stands on the water divide between the watersheds of the Dora Riparia (Po Valley) and of the Arc (Rhone Valley). It lies between the Col du Petit Mont-Cenis (2,183 m) and the Col de Bellecombe (2,475 m).^[1]

History

The mountain, although lying on the Alpine watershed between the Val di Susa and the Maurienne, is entirely in French territory following the boundary adjustments decided in the 1947 Treaty of Paris. The area was interested in the Vallo Alpino and ligne Maginot fortifications and then during the II World War saw the fights facing the chasseurs alpins (French Army) and the German mountain troops.^[3]

Access to the summit

The summit can be reached on foot starting from the refuge du Petit Mont Cenis (at 2,095 m). The itinerary doesn't require alpinistic skills but some hiking experience.^[4]

Maps

• French official cartography (Institut géographique national - IGN); on-line version: www.geoportail.fr
• Istituto Geografico Centrale - Carta dei sentieri e dei rifugi 1:50.000 nr 2 Valli di Lanzo e Moncenisio