Cabanes d’Ansabere via the Cabanes de Pedain - overview
Left to right: Acherito, Petragem and the Aiguilles d’Ansabere seen from near the Cabanes d’Ansabere.
A leisurely walk up to the Cabanes D’Ansabere remains one of the most popular excursions in the Cirque for those who wish to enjoy a relaxed day out without the stress of a huge climb or difficult route finding. For this reason it is very common to find families with quite small children enjoying the route. One of the main draws, of course, is the fabulous views of the dolomitic spires of the Grande and Petites Aiguilles D’Ansabere which come into view right from the start of the walk. The route described in these pages, however, offers a more unusual approach to Ansabere via the Valley D’Escoueste and the Cabanes de Pedain. The advantages are clear – a circular walk as opposed to a thereand-back-again excursion; a chance to enjoy an often overlooked valley and views of the Aiguilles from a rarely seen angle. What is more, these benefits are exploited with no extra uphill walking. Navigationally, it is slightly more difficult but, with good visibility, there should be no problems as one is never far from a good path.
Cabanes d’Ansabere via the Cabanes de Pedain – the route Start
Timing
Denivelation
Terrain
Season
Pont Lamary
2h 30m
450m
Mountain and forest paths. Mountain pasture. (Cairned or waymarked)
April November
Waypoint 1 – Pont Lamary (alt.1209m) The track, heading initially SW, would be hard to miss even without the signpost indicating the way to the cabanes D’ Ansabere. Within 5 minutes of setting off the Aiguilles come into view and in a further 20 minutes or so the track reaches an open grassy area known as the first, or lower, plateau. Cross the open, grassy area, going over three small streams, to a rock bearing a yellow way mark… Waypoint 2: (N42 54.261 W0 42.476 ; alt.1362m ) Looking W, an old cabane, shown on the IGN map as Cabane de Lamary, provides a clear landmark. Walk towards it and 100m further on to the point where the path moves right into the forest. Follow the path for about 5 minutes to the place where it leaves the trees and winds up a steep grassy slope.
Back in the trees again, stick to the well marked path for a further 10 – 15 minutes until it leaves the forest for the last time. From this point, where woods give way to meadows, the Table des Trois Rois can be seen to the NW and WNW the minor peak known as Mouscate, to the right of which it is possible discern the Col d’Equeste. Follow a vague path in the grass, marked by red dots on rocks. It goes along the right hand side of a ravine to the point where it crosses over to
The Aiguilles d’Ansabere seen from Escoueste.
the opposite side. From here, a cairned trail in the grass leads to the track that provides vehicular access to the Cabanes de Pedain. Turn right here and arrive quickly at this substantial, grass-roofed building. Waypoint 3: (N42 54.500 W0 43.156; alt. 1533m.) The Cabanes de Pedain – named after the stream which rises in the slopes high above. Those wishing to explore the world beyond the cabane should pass it on its right hand side and follow the path as it climbs towards the Col d’Esqueste. To complete this route, however, it will be necessary to return to the point where it joined the vehicle track. This time, follow the track in the opposite direction as it traverses a small clearing, then an area of forest, to arrive, 20 minutes after leaving the cabanes, at the main track to the Cabanes D’Ansabere. Waypoint 4: (N42 53.936 W0 42.877; alt. 1560m) The junction of the two tracks is very close to the cabanes so, after turning right, they are
soon reached without further significant height gain. The views of the Aiguilles d’ Ansabere from the cabanes are excellent, but for those who are motivated to take a closer look, particularly of the dramatic Petite Aiguille*, take the one obvious path heading towards it. (This is the way to the Col de Petrageme.) To return to Pont Lamary, go back to Waypoint 4 but, instead of turning left to Escoueste, carry straight on. The trail is probably the most highly frequented of any in the Cirque, so it is without the
Above – the track from the Cabanes de Pedain to those in Ansabere. Right – One of the Cabanes d’Ansabere
slightest difficulty that it is followed through shady woodland to arrive back at the first plateau and Waypoint 2, the rock with the yellow waymark. From here, retrace the first part of the route to arrive back at Pont Lamary.
*To see the wall climb on the Petite Aiguille go to the “Movies” page.