Les crêtes de Gilly et de Peyra Plata

For the more adventurous, start from Ristolas and follow the GR58 marked trail toward Collette de Gilly. Along the way, on the right, the Moussou Pond offers a well-deserved break. For everyone else, the Gilly chairlift—during the summer season—takes you up 500 meters in elevation, a great advantage for this high-altitude hike! At the chairlift’s top station, take the trail straight ahead toward Collette de Gilly, then follow the ridge line to the right—a variation of the GR58. As a bonus: a 360° view of the surrounding peaks and even farther if the sky is clear—a breathtaking panorama! From the Peyra Plata ridge, descend to the hamlet of La Monta. You can return to Abriès or Ristolas via the free Escarton shuttle (during summer school breaks), or on foot along the left bank of the Guil River. In spring and fall, conditions are changeable; even without snow, the trail can be icy. Therefore, when in the mountains, the rule of thumb is to “go out well-equipped.” In my backpack, I slip in or clip on: crampons and trekking poles. In winter, the essentials are: snowshoes, poles, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and… a survival blanket! Experience is essential, and knowing when to turn back is sometimes better than taking risks. And for those new to the mountains, we recommend hiring a professional! Before heading out, I check the Météo France Montagnes weather reports and the BERA (avalanche and risk alerts).