Arc (rivière) - Affluent de l'Isère walks

A hike in the Cirque des Évettes, with the Grand Méan glacial lake at the foot of the glacier of the same name in your sights. At an altitude of 2,876 metres, the lake and glacier offer a fantastic view of a well-hidden glacial cirque. A real treat!

A beautiful hike that leads to the foot of the Evettes glacier. The climb through the Gorges de la Reculaz allows you to make a loop and discover the Roman bridge.

A short circuit accessible to children. You cross streams where they can play. The part in the forest is very pleasant, especially when it's hot. What's more, they can find wild strawberries and raspberries. The route is dotted with information panels about village life.

A balcony route with beautiful views of the glaciers, passing by the small Lac du Pys and then the Refuge du Carro. Don't miss the Lacs Noir and Blanc, where you can recharge your batteries before descending to the traditional hamlet of L'Écot and then Bonneval-sur-Arc.

This is a short, easy and pleasant hike, ideal for a family outing. At the start, the village of Villaron is typical and well worth a visit, and at the end, the Cirque du Vallon is very bucolic. Along the way, you may see some wild animals (marmots, chamois, vultures, sparrowhawks, etc.).

Departure from L'Écot, a hamlet in Bonneval that is definitely worth visiting on your return from the hike. There is a magnificent chapel and many houses that have been renovated in recent years. It is the highest inhabited village in France, except in winter.

A magnificent hike to the heart of the Cirque des Évettes. Starting from the hamlet of L’Écot, the route climbs alongside the Gorges de la Reculaz to reach the Cirque des Évettes. Highlights: Reculaz Waterfall, Roman bridge, glacial lake, Évettes Glacier, Évettes Refuge and Col des Évettes. The descent follows an easy path.

The Refuge du Carro is already a lovely destination, but when you reach this first goal at the end of the morning and after seeing the panorama, there are various possibilities for a little extra treat. Why not the Col du Carro or Colle del Carro, as you can read on site? The hundreds of cairns that dot the terrain are sure to catch your eye, as will the view of the Italian side.

This first stage, starting from one of the most beautiful villages in France, is a gentle warm-up that culminates (for the more adventurous) at the Col du Carro (3,149 m), the border between France and Italy and a magnificent viewpoint in fine weather, offering views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

A lovely day’s hike, starting from the centre of Lanslevillard. The flora of the Vanoise, marmots, perhaps even the bearded vulture, and magnificent panoramic views await you on this hike, which includes a stop at the refuge, where the wardens are very friendly.

One of my most beautiful snowshoe hikes in 20 years! At least, as far as the final destination is concerned. This route takes you into a majestic landscape where the Lower Vallonnet Glacier at an altitude of 2,400 m (with its cave and tunnel) and, higher up, the Upper Glacier and the Albaron massif (alt. 3,637 m), which seems to oversee it all, immerse you in a world where time stands still. But for this glacier, time is sadly running out! This route presents no difficulties, apart from the slope to climb from the Balme ski lift. There are no hazardous slopes. However, you must remain cautious at the entrance to the glacier’s vault, where stalactites or blocks of ice could break loose during a thaw.

A family-friendly walk along the banks of the Arc, which is virtually flat and presents no difficulty. The flora is particularly abundant in spring and early summer (troll’s-head, martagon lily, red campion, bird’s-eye lily, etc.), as are the dry-stone huts typical of the region. The presence of rock paintings is also of interest.