Punta Merciantaira
# Punta Merciantaira

The Punta Merciantaira (in Italian ) or Grand Glaiza (in French) is a 3,293 metres high mountain of the Cottian Alps.

## Geography

The peak is located on the French-Italian border between the Metropolitan City of Turin (Piedmont) and the French department of Hautes-Alpes (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur). It belongs to the Main chain of the Alps. Administratively the mountain is part of the Italian comune of Cesana Torinese (north face) and the French commune of Cervières.

### 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 = South Western Alps
* section = Cottian Alps
* subsection = Central Cottian Alps
* supergroup = Catena Bric Froid-Rochebrune-Beal Traversier
* group = Gruppo Ramière-Merciantaira
* subgroup = Sottogruppo del Merciantaira
* code = I/A-4.II-B.4.b

## Access to the summit

The summit of the Grand Glaiza can be easily accessed starting from Les Fonts (commune of Cervières) in less than 4 hours' walk following a waymarked foothpath. The easiest route from the Italian side, starting from Grange di Thuras (Cesana Torinese), is longer and requires a good hiking experience.

