Punta Nera, Mountain summit in Cottian Alps, France and Italy.
Punta Nera is a mountain summit in the Cottian Alps with two distinct peaks joined by a saddle between them. The higher peak reaches 3,047 meters while the connecting ridge sits at approximately 3,017 meters.
The name Punta Nera translates to Black Summit, referencing the dark schist rocks that form the slopes facing the Susa Valley. Over millions of years, geological forces shaped this mountain into its current form.
The name Punta Nera means "Black Summit", taken from the dark schists on the slopes facing the Susa Valley; French official maps also use Punta Nera. The eastern subsummit at 3,041 m, above Bardonecchia, carries a metal summit cross. A third ridge runs northwest from the summit to the Grand Argentier (3,042 m), entirely in France.
Access is available from the Italian side via Grange della Rho near Bardonecchia or from the French side through Valfréjus near Modane. Both routes require good hiking experience and stamina for the multi-hour ascent.
The mountain marks the highest point of the Dora-Arc water divide, which extends between Colle della Rho and Col du Fréjus. This border line separates two major river valleys in the southern Alps.
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