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Park at the top of Saint-Ismier in the car park in the Massons district. Please note there are only a few parking spaces for this circular route, which seems to be little known.
(S/E) At the first junction, turn right. The path on the left leads to the same place; it’s just a little shorter. The one on the right adds about half an hour to the walk.
Head to the Ruisseau de Larguit and follow it upstream. You’ll reach a crossroads.
(1) Here there are several options: either take the path or the scree slope (this is the option shown on the map). Both climb to the left (only if there is no water), up to the Chemin de la Faita which heads south-west.
You’ll come to a fork; take the right-hand path. This is the ‘natural’ route.
Further on, you will suddenly come to a sort of viewpoint overlooking the cliffs. Stop for a moment and enjoy the view.
(2) From this point, take the small, winding and twisting path which climbs steeply for a while in tight hairpin bends before joining a gentler path.
When you reach the valley, the path descends; you’ll come to another fork.
(3) Turn right. Cross two scree slopes and rejoin the path opposite each time. Be careful, as it can be slippery or even challenging in autumn when the ground is loose. Take care and take your time.
After a final stretch, when you reach the wider path, the real adventure is over as you find yourself on a path much broader than the narrow trails you’ve been following up to this point.
After a hairpin bend, you’ll soon reach the Tour d’Arces. A slight disappointment: the tower is off-limits, and barriers and padlocks prevent you from walking around it.
(4) From the picnic area, a path north of the Ruisseau de Darguil leading back to the starting point is marked on IGN maps but cannot be found.
You can, however, head down the Ruisseau de Darguil, which is completely dry in autumn and lets you play at being an adventurer. Be careful, though, as the last two steps are high. Carefully make your way to the main path a few metres to your right as you descend.
Across the clearing, go round the barbed wire via the natural path or go under it to return to the starting point of the walk (S/E).
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