Punta Bes

The Punta Bes  is a 3,177 metres high mountain belonging to the Italian side of Graian Alps.

Geography
The mountain is located on the border between Piedmont and Aosta Valley, on the watershed dividing Valle dell'Orco from Valsavarenche, the latter tributary of the Dora Baltea. A 3.112 m high saddle divides Punta bes from Punta Leynir, while the Orco/Valsavarenche ridge continues towards the Colle del Nivolet. The Punta Bes, due to its location, offers a good view on the nearby Gran Paradiso massif.

SOIUSA classification
According to SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the mountain can be classified in the following way:
 * main part = Western Alps
 * major sector = North Western Alps
 * section = Graian Alps
 * subsection = Central Graian Alps
 * supergroup = Catena Grande Sassière-Tsanteleina
 * group = Costiera Galisia-Entrelor-Bioula
 * code = I/B-7.III-A.1

Access to the summit
The mountain can be accessed from Nivolet Pass (2.641 m); this route requires a good hiking experience. Along with Punta Bes many hikers also climb the nearby Punta Leynir.

Mountain huts

 * Refuge Città di Chivasso (2,604 m).
 * Rifugio Albergo Savoia (2,534 m).

Nature protection
Punta Bes belongs to the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso.

Maps

 * Istituto Geografico Militare (IGM) official maps of Italy, 1:25.000 and 1:100.000 scale, on-line version
 * Carta dei sentieri e dei rifugi scala 1:50.000 n. 3 Il Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, Istituto Geografico Centrale - Torino