Circular route via the Col du Mont and the Archeboc refuge

Park in the Pierre Giret car park: this is the designated parking area for vehicles not authorised to proceed any further.

(S/E) Walk up the road, then continue to the left, skirting the buildings.

(1) Leave the return path on your left just after the bridge over the stream and continue along the road. Pass the houses in the hamlet of Savonne.

(2) Quickly take the path on the right. Continue the long climb along this path, which often runs through woodland, until you reach a sheep track.

(3) Follow it uphill and carry on straight ahead until you reach the hamlet of La Motte, where the Archeboc refuge is located.

(4) Walk past the refuge and continue uphill, this time along a path heading south-east. Navigate a few winding and steep sections before reaching the Col du Mont, which marks the border with Italy.

(5) Head back down to the refuge (where you may spend the night).

(4) From the refuge, turn right towards the north into the Ruisseau des Trousses valley. After crossing the stream, gradually climb the slope to reach a junction.

(6) Ignore the path branching off to the left which descends into the Mercuel valley. Continue climbing to reach the shores of Lac Noir.

(7) Continue climbing north-west. Shortly after the Col de Montséti, begin a long descent that follows the Aïvettaz stream before crossing it and reaching the hamlet of La Sassière.

(8) Pass through the hamlet, cross the Sassière torrent and continue left along the track. Pass close to the Ruitor refuge, then the Saint-Pierre Chapel a little further on.

(9) As the track overlooks a torrent to your right and at the junction with the track leading to the buildings at La Vacherie d’en Bas, leave the track and take a path branching off to the right. Continue downwards alongside the torrent until you rejoin the road.

(1) Turn right to quickly return to the car park below (S/E).

(9) If you do not take the footpath, the track leads back to the road above the hamlet of Savonne.