Challenging route in the Julian Prealps, the ascent to Monte Plauris is mainly training-oriented, as it takes place mostly in the forest for the demanding elevation gain, with little panorama; the environment is remarkable in the last third
The start is from Tugliezzo (503 m), where the current normal route to Plauris begins. After passing the shrine dedicated to Saint Hubert, you go up along the cart track on the right (trail 701 signs). At 645 m the path becomes a trail and turns right; in one hour from the start you reach the Elio Franz Shelter (1008 m), closed for extraordinary maintenance in July 2025. The trail continues uphill following the dry bed of the Rio Lavaris; the forest thins out when the trail becomes a narrow ledge; the slope never eases – some sections are challenging. You thus reach Passo Maleet (1635 m).
From the pass, the summit of Plauris is finally visible, the first part of the path to reach it. You descend a few meters to the left, traverse the head of the Val Lavaruzza, and begin to climb a winding trail with a slippery ground; the steepness and the area's erosion tendency mean it's better to follow trail markers and cairns, seeking the best and least steep route rather than the trail itself. At about 1910 m you reach a narrow saddle rich in edelweiss.
The last sections of the climb are the most delicate: you turn left onto a very narrow ledge, with the cliff of the southern side of Plauris on the right. It takes less than two minutes, but maximum attention is needed. After this passage, a few final meters and you reach the elongated summit of Monte Plauris (1958 m); summit cross and summit book (not in the same place), very wide panorama.
Return by the same ascent route.
