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To get to the starting point: in Virieu-le-Petit, follow the signs for Lochieu. Just after crossing a stream at Les Moulins d'Arvière, turn right towards Les Bordèzes and the Chalet d'Arvière. Continue on the D120. Cross a large car park and turn left onto a good road. Do not be put off by the first drainage ditch. Continue to the car park on the left. Signs provide information about Arvière's heritage.
(S/E) From the car park, head towards a path protected by a barrier. Continue along this path, turning left at the first crossroads. Take a moment to admire the sculpted trees. Pass close to a spring. The climb to the viewpoint is not essential, as there are other viewpoints to enjoy.
You will arrive at the site of the former Carthusian monastery, where the Chalet d'Arvière is located.
(1) Stay on the path to the right and head towards the Grange de Falavier. Continue along this path until you reach the barn on your right.
(2) Take a fairly steep path on the left. Go through a gate and enter a large pasture. Follow the path, which narrows and then disappears. Turn right, leaving a pine forest on your left. A signpost at the top can be used as a landmark.
From this point, the path follows the ridge and offers a beautiful view of the Arvière valley and the ridges opposite, which you will cross later in the day.
(3) At L'Hergues (1,426 m), the path continues but the view of the valley is often blocked by trees.
The well-marked path enters the forest.
Begin the descent, still following the path marked with yellow signs. Cross a forestry operation (in 2020). Turn right onto a forestry road, which is rutted and particularly muddy in wet weather, and come out onto the D123.
(4) Head right to pass Golet de la Biche (1,298 m). Further on, leave the two access points to Grange d'en Haut on your left and arrive at Grange d'en Bas.
(5) TheGR®509and GTJ trails branch off to the right towards Grange de Falavier. Ignore them, as well as the path that descends into the Arvière valley. At the bend to the left, look opposite, slightly to the right, for another path that runs along the edge of the woods. Head towards it.
Follow it until you come out onto pastureland. Continue until you reach the top of a hill. Between two small hillocks, turn right and head towards the top of the hill until you find a yellow-marked path.
Pass a path that climbs from Sur Lyand and climb towards the ridge, keeping to the left of the fences until you reach a chicane that allows you to cross to the other side. The slope becomes steeper. The path is clearly visible. To the right, there is a view of the Hergues. To the left, the Alps with Mont Blanc, La Tournette, etc. Behind, the Jura and in front, the Grand Colombier.
(6) At the Griffe du Diable (1,400 m), take the time to admire the view, especially of the Chalet d'Arvière.
Continue along the path towards the Col de Charbemènes. The path enters the forest and requires a little attention at times. You will come out at the Col de Charbemènes (1316 m).
(7) Continue to the junction of several paths, including the GTJ, which leads to the Col du Grand Colombier.
Turn right onto a clearly visible path that descends due west. You will come to a wide path that branches off to the right; follow it straight ahead. Admire the Sapin Daubrée, a fir tree over 45 m high, as you pass by, and return to the starting point (S/E).
ss the barrier and immediately turn right onto a path that runs along the ridge, which is more pleasant, until you reach the signpost at the summit, which can be used as a landmark.
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Association / Club / Walk leader
Tourist office
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