Col de Carisé

Introduction

The Col de Carisé, located at an altitude of 2,252 metres in the territory of Fontainemore, represents one of the main passes of the Aosta Valley's Alta Via 1 and a key passage for major trail events such as the Tor des Géants and the Tor des Glaciers. This pass connects different environments and valleys, forming a geographical crossroads between the high-altitude meadows of the Coumarial basin and the wild Val d'Issime, and has always been frequented by both hikers and athletes engaged in alpine endurance events.

Description

The panorama offered by the Col de Carisé is distinguished by the breadth of the horizons, where the gaze embraces the Mont Mars group, the pastures of the nature reserve of the same name and the ridges separating the Biellese and Aosta Valley sides. From a naturalistic point of view, the pass represents a classic alpine ridge environment, with grasslands, patches of rhododendrons, outcropping rocks and a rich variety of flora typical of acidic soils rich in glacial moraines. In summer, marmots, birds of prey and, with care, even some rare species of alpine orchids can easily be spotted. In spring and autumn, the chromatic changes in the landscape offer further impressive panoramic views.
The Col de Carisé is reached mainly by the path that starts from the Pian Coumarial picnic area, following well-marked tracks and . The ascent, with a development of just over ten kilometres and a positive difference in altitude of 810 metres, takes place over mixed terrain: at first a mule track through sparse larch and beech woods, then a steeper and more panoramic path over the upper pastures, until the final stretches where the track becomes more airy and open, but without any significant exposed sections. In summer, the itinerary is generally safe and easy, while in spring and autumn some stretches can be wet or snow-covered; the signposting is constantly maintained, thanks also to the flows generated by the large competitions that pass over the pass.
In addition to its scenic and environmental significance, the Col de Carisé has become a reference point for trail running in recent years: both the Alta Via 1 route and those of the ultra-endurance 'Tor des Géants' and 'Tor des Glaciers' pass through here, races that have contributed to making the place known far beyond regional borders. The passage of the athletes to the pass, often at night and in variable weather conditions, increases the fascination of this route and makes it witness to sporting feats of absolute prominence in the international Alpine panorama

Information

Height: 2132m
Alternative Name: -
Mountain Group: Three Bishops-Mars Range