The mountain stands on the ridge dividing the valleys of Ellero and Pesio. Is located between Colletto Pellerina (2.017 m, North) and Colle di Serpentera (2.035 m, South). Westwards from its summit starts a third ridge which divides two tributary valleys of the Pesio, vallone Serpentera (S) and vallone del Funtanin; on this ridge, close to a saddle at 1.985 m and a summit of 2.030 m, stands the Punta Bartivolera (1.957 m).[1] The topographic prominence of Cima Cars is of 183 m, as results from the drop in height between the summit (2.218 m) and Colle di Serpentera (2.035 m), its key col. Some summit crosses stand on subsummits of Cima Cars located on its Ellero valley side.
SOIUSA classification
According to the SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the mountain can be classified in the following way:[2]
The area where the mountain stands is of karstic nature. The name Cars itself is linked to this geological feature,[3] as other toponyms of the Ligurian Alps like as Le Carsene, Sella del Cars, Monte Carsino etc.[4]
Access to the summit
Cima Cars con be reached by a waymarked foothpath starting from Pian delle Gorre (Pesio valley),[5] or from the Ellero valley, in this case starting from Ponte Murato (Pian Marchisio).[6]
The mountain is also a classical destination for Ski mountaineering, considered quite engaging (BS - good skiers - difficulty).[7]
