Punta Gastaldi, Mountain summit in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France and Piedmont, Italy

Punta Gastaldi is a 3,214 m summit on the northern crest of the Monviso group, entirely in Italian territory although the French border passes close by. Its eastern side forms a dome edged at the base by subvertical rock walls, while the western flank is a nearly straight line of steep rock faces. South of the summit the crest drops to the Passo Due Dita, and north it descends to the Passo Giacoletti.

The first ascent was made on 16 August 1884 by Rev. William Auguste Coolidge with guide Christian Almer the younger, who believed they had climbed the Viso di Vallanta. The peak was later named after Bartolomeo Gastaldi, geologist and co-founder of the Club Alpino Italiano with Quintino Sella. The east and south-southeast ridges were first climbed by Pompeo Viglino and guide Claudio Perotti on 3 September 1907.

The peak is named after Bartolomeo Gastaldi, a geologist and co-founder of the Club Alpino Italiano with Quintino Sella. Its greenish rocks belong to the Piedmont-facies Trias-Jura series, known as Gastaldi's greenstone zone, made of prasinites, amphibolites and eclogites. The first ascent, on 16 August 1884 by Rev. William Auguste Coolidge and guide Christian Almer son, was thought to be the Viso di Vallanta.

The trails are most accessible from June through September when snow melts and conditions are more stable. Check trail conditions in nearby villages before your visit, as weather can change quickly at this elevation.

The first ascent, by Rev. William Auguste Coolidge and guide Christian Almer Jr. on 16 August 1884, was thought by the pair to have reached the Viso di Vallanta. The peak was later named after Bartolomeo Gastaldi, geologist and co-founder of the Club Alpino Italiano. Its greenish rocks are prasiniti, anfiboliti and eclogiti of the Piedmont facies.