Bonneval-sur-Arc walks

Climb above the village of Bonneval-sur-Arc and the magnificent Haute Maurienne valley via high but never difficult trails, then descend along the Lenta river. This is the itinerary for a hike during which we will always have before our eyes the imprint of vanished glaciers and the dazzling whiteness of those that remain.

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.

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 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.

Exceptional panorama at the summit of this 3,000 m peak. This route from the Pont de l'Oulietta adds 300 m of elevation gain compared to the start from the Col de l'Iseran but allows you to be alone in the world on 80% of the route.

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.

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 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 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 is a pleasant hike where you can encounter chamois and marmots and enjoy breathtaking views of the main peaks of the Vanoise from the summit. On one side: Grande Motte, Grande Casse, Dôme de Chasseforêt, Dent Parachée, Méan Martin. On the other: Charbonnel, Albaron, Grande Chiamarella. In the background, Mont Blanc, of course.

A wild hike in the Vanoise, taking place entirely above 2,500m. As signposting is minimal (two signs along the entire route, one of which is at the start), it is best to be well-prepared and equipped (map, compass, GPS, etc.). Admittedly, there are cairns dotted along the route, but the only reliable indication they provide is that someone has been there before you. Snowfields can persist quite late in the season, with some residual traces remaining in late September.

A magnificent ridge traverse and a spectacular landscape throughout the crossing, with the Grande Casse and the Grande Motte on one side and the Charbonnel and the Albaron on the other. The icing on the cake is that you’ll be walking across no fewer than five peaks over 3,000 metres. Please read the description carefully before setting out on this hike.

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.

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.).

A long stage for this third day with very varied landscapes and terrain.It’s a shame that the road section after the Refuge de la Femma can’t be avoided, as it’s rather uninteresting. You’ll have to wait until the Refuge d’Entre Deux Eaux to finally get back on a trail.The difficulty is mainly due to the distance, as the elevation gains aren’t too steep and the trails are in good condition.

Starting from La Goulaz in Bessans, just above the cross-country ski trails and at the foot of “Tièrce”, you can take a short circular route partly along the Chemin du Petit Bonheur. It follows the botanical trail, dotted with small signs giving the names of the flowers and their uses.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m, assez facile en l'absence de neige (comme pour sa voisine l'Aiguille Pers), et dans un environnement très vite minéral. Elle peut être très fréquentée du fait de son accès aisé, mais le panorama au sommet en vaut le détour.

Courte randonnée pour accéder à un 3000 m assez facile avec un superbe panorama sur tous les hauts sommets du département. Idéale quand on a un timing serré pour faire une randonnée.