La Tour Germaine

The ascent of the Tour Germaine is ideal if you're just starting out on the long route: relatively easy but fairly sustained, fairly steep and aerial... all the ingredients are there for maximum pleasure!

Grading: 3 to 4+.

Number of routes: 1 long route

Height: 180m

Exposition: South

Recommended period: June to September

Starting altitude: 2000. ( arrival altitude : 2189 )

Approach walk: 45 min rather steep

Caution: the route is partially equipped, so you'll need a few friends and belayers.

Access: From Névache, cross the Col de l'Echelle towards Bardonecchia. Once you've descended the pass, you'll come to a crossroads: take a sharp left (towards Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite), and the small, slightly damaged carriage road climbs up into this magnificent Vallée Étroite.

Park at the foot of the 3rd parking lot (the last parking lot in the Vallée Étroite)

then head back down the road to reach the small sheepfold. Cross the bridge in front of the sheepfold: a path crosses the last larch trees to reach a scree slope at the foot of the tower.

The descent is partly on foot and partly by abseiling.