Tête de l'Autaret, Alpine summit on France-Italy border, Cottian Alps.
Tête de l'Autaret rises to 3,015 meters with three symmetrical ridges composed of greenschist rock from the ophiolitic complex. The summit sits along the France-Italy border in the Cottian Alps.
The name 'Autaret' comes from ancient places where pre-Christian populations held ritual activities in the western Alpine regions. These early connections continue to shape how the peak is understood today.
The summit sits on territory shared between the French municipality of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye and the Italian municipality of Bellino, reflecting how mountain communities on either side relate to this border landscape. Local residents in the valleys below have maintained their connection to this peak as a natural landmark for centuries.
The main climbing route begins at Sant'Anna di Bellino and follows a path through the Gole delle Barricate gorge, passing an abandoned military shelter. Proper footwear and preparation are important as the route crosses mountainous terrain with varying steepness.
The eastern slope facing Bellino Valley features steep rock formations that contrast sharply with the gentler, grass-covered sides of the rest of the mountain. These differences make the ascent experience vary depending on which route you take.
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