Col d’Arclusaz from the Arolles car park

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This description has been written for a snowshoe hike; the route differs significantly from the summer route. It crosses alpine pastures which should be bypassed in summer by staying on the track.

Details

n°2897358
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.91 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 6 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,546 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,546 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,807 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,261 ft
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Description of the walk

The Arolles car park is reached via a small road which you take on the right as you leave École, heading towards Jarsy.

(S/E) Set off south-east along the wide track. Follow it for a long way until you reach the junction with theGRP® coming from the Chapelle de Bellevaux.

(1) Then leave the track to head south, rejoin it a little further up and continue heading south. Pass the Praz chalets. Further on, let theGRP® branch off to the left towards the Lauzarin chalets.

(2) Continue climbing southwards until you reach the Chalet des Arbets; this marks the end of the sheep track.

(3) Continue straight ahead due south and, via a steep climb, reach the Col d’Arclusaz.

(4) Then return to the car park via the same route you took on the way out (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,261 ft - Les Arolles car park
  2. 1 : mi 2.28 - alt. 4,114 ft - Junction with the GRP
  3. 2 : mi 3.16 - alt. 4,715 ft - Leave the GRP
  4. 3 : mi 3.6 - alt. 5,023 ft - Les Arbets
  5. 4 : mi 4.41 - alt. 5,807 ft - Col d'Arclusaz
  6. S/E : mi 8.91 - alt. 3,261 ft - Les Arolles car park

Notes

This hike is rated as ‘Moderate’. Please be aware that the 800 m elevation gain may prove challenging for hikers who are not experienced in snowshoeing.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
DANIELFAURE
DANIELFAURE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

I think it’s much more interesting on snowshoes in winter; in summer, the valley’s nice but it’s not an extraordinary hike.
It’s very monotonous and long through the forest before you reach the mountain pastures.

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GUILLOUXJM
GUILLOUXJM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, very popular walk, though quite a challenge. The access road to the car park is icy in winter, so you’ll need to park at the hairpin bend. This adds a good kilometre to the walk. The valley is magnificent, despite the first two kilometres of the walk into the valley being rather uninteresting.

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Tinou74150
Tinou74150

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This walk takes place almost entirely on mountain paths; only the final stretch across the pastures to the pass involves a steeper climb. A lovely autumn walk, with the changing colours in the woods.

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sergiomont
sergiomont

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We had a nice snowshoe hike, though the snow wasn’t great.
The sun was shining.
You don’t have to go all the way to the Col d’Arclusaz or the Chapeau de Napoléon.
You can stop at the chalets and enjoy the sunshine.🥱
Enjoy the hike
Sergio

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