Circular route around the Arselle plateau

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Hike along the red cross-country ski trail on the Arselle plateau, starting from the car park of the restaurant and swimming pool in the village of Bachat in Chamrousse 1700.
Much of the hike takes place in the forest.

Details

n°3853417
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.15 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 374 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 374 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,561 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,246 ft
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Photos

forest trail
path
Wide view of the Arselle plateau
Arselle plateau

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Bachat Bouloud village swimming pool.

(S/E) Walk round the village swimming pool restaurant and head down towards the houses.
Pass between the village buildings and take the small path leading to the Arselle plateau.
Once you reach the Arselle plateau, just after the riding centre, turn right and follow the Red trail. You will come to a crossroads at the Source Bardet.

(1) Continue to the left and follow the Red trail through the Séchilienne Communal Forest. Carry on to reach the Fontroide Forest Track.

(2) Turn left onto this track, which also connects with the Red Lièvre Patineur and Lièvre trails.
Continue along this forest track to reach the Arselle Plateau once again.

(3) Walk along the edge of the forest on the right. Reach a picnic area, then re-enter the forest by following the left bank of the Ruisseau de Salinière. Reach a ford.

(4) Cross the stream and follow the Salinière, Lièvre and Brinbelles trails. Leave the Plateau d’Arselle at a ski lift, taking a small path on the right that runs alongside the lift. Return to the car park at the Bachat Bouloud swimming pool (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,558 ft - Car park at the Bachat Bouloud swimming pool
  2. 1 : mi 0.63 - alt. 5,299 ft - Source: Badet
  3. 2 : mi 1.23 - alt. 5,253 ft - Fontroide Forest Track
  4. 3 : mi 1.66 - alt. 5,302 ft - Arselle Plateau
  5. 4 : mi 2.52 - alt. 5,390 ft - Salinière stream
  6. S/E : mi 3.15 - alt. 5,558 ft - Car park at the Bachat Bouloud swimming pool

Notes

Lake Achard and the Arselle Plateau

Walking off the paths and boardwalks is strictly prohibited in the Arselle Moor and Lake Achard Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) (APPB No. 2003-09182 and municipal ENS decree)
Arselle Bog: APPB, Natura 2000, listed site and ENS (sensitive natural area)
Dogs must be kept on a lead / fishing is prohibited on the water bodies / camping, fires, tree felling and picking are prohibited / Bivouacking prohibited from 1 May to 30 October
There are wintering areas for the Black Grouse.

Worth a visit

Small climbing site near the hiking trail

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike that became quite strenuous in snowshoes at -9°C and 50 cm of powder snow, completed in 2.5 hours. The fir trees were covered in snow, creating a beautiful winter atmosphere.

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michelsandrine
michelsandrine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, leisurely walk. A bit of shaded woodland – perfect for this summer. No obvious difficulties. Very good.

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Glubs69
Glubs69

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello. A pleasant route, during which I made a point (as always) of following the route markers using my GPS, and during which my phone rang because I’d strayed a little off course. One comment, however: after point 2 and shortly before point 3, do not turn left but continue straight on towards the north-east along the dotted black line on the map, which corresponds to the yellow markings in the Chamrousse Tourist Office guide. You then rejoin the original route. This circular route via point 3 isn’t a proper path (even along the edge of the forest); you walk the whole way through the natural, boggy landscape of the Arselle plateau. I’d say it’s best avoided, and what’s more, you sink with every step.
The same applies a little further on, where it is better to stay on the wooden walkway.
This route, which doesn’t involve much elevation gain, is quite busy, especially as it follows the resort’s yellow markings, and is therefore shorter in distance than the one suggested by Visorando.
Best regards.
Glubs69

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orionp
orionp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to explore Chamrousse

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