Col de l’Arc – Refuge du Logis des Fées

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It’s hard to say much about this section, as we completed the whole of it in driving rain and cloud. The route is challenging and stony, with numerous herds of livestock and detours… But it remains so beautiful despite everything. The climb up the Bellachat is less difficult than it looks. The landscape is actually very varied: there’s a lot of rocky terrain on the ascent of the Bellachat, with steep cirques all the way to the Lacs du Loup, where the mountain pastures take over before giving way to the Cirque du Colomban, only to return near the Refuge du Logis des Fées.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour de la Lauzière

Details

n°99320831
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.91 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,353 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,406 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,146 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,024 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) From the Col de l’Arc, head south-west to follow the path and signposts towards Bellachat. The ascent is long but fairly gradual, with no particular difficulty, even on the final hairpin bends, which are steep but well-marked and end at Mont Bellachat.

(1) Continue along the ridge for a short while and then begin the descent. Pass a small shepherd’s hut; there are numerous herds in the area.

(2) Now take a more exposed path to pass beneath the Pointe des Marmottes Noires. Continue down a steeper descent until you reach a Y-shaped junction.

(3) Turn right, passing beneath the Combe Bronsin to go round the Teurs hill and reach the Lacs du Loup, situated below the Pointe de Combe Bronsin.

(4) Walk round them, keeping a general southerly direction; please note: the path is in very poor condition in this area. You’ll soon emerge below the Chalet Colomban and above the Chalets de Lachat.

(5) Stay on the track to the right, then turn left onto the path; there are clear markings and signposts towards Arpettaz. Follow a long, steep path, passing the Crête de Colomban. Please note: some sections require you to use your hands.

(6) Head back down towards the Arpettaz mountain pastures via a long descent where some recent scree has led to well-marked detours. You’ll come to another Y-junction.

(7) Stay on the path on the right, reach Lac de l’Arpettaz, walk along its left-hand side, then arrive at the Refuge du Logis des Fées (E), today’s stop.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,076 ft - Col de l'Arc (1854 m)
  2. 1 : mi 1.45 - alt. 8,130 ft - Mont Bellacha
  3. 2 : mi 2.31 - alt. 7,490 ft - Shepherd’s hut
  4. 3 : mi 3.39 - alt. 6,440 ft - Below the Combe Bronsin
  5. 4 : mi 4.44 - alt. 6,322 ft - Lacs du Loup
  6. 5 : mi 5.02 - alt. 6,430 ft - Lachat
  7. 6 : mi 6.22 - alt. 7,083 ft - Pointe de Colomban ridge
  8. 7 : mi 7.79 - alt. 6,594 ft - Y-junction
  9. E : mi 8.91 - alt. 6,030 ft - Logis des Fées

Notes

Other walks in the area

Walking Mont Bellacha via Les Foyères

Visorando Member
Mont Bellacha par les Foyères
↔8.70 mi ↗+4,455 ft ↘-4,439 ft ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from La Léchère (Savoie)
A hike in the Lauzière massif, a little-used route passing through the mountain pastures of Montagne d’en Haut and Montagne d’en Bas along a path marked in August 2020 to reach the Col de l’Arc. After a steady climb, you reach the summit of Mont Bellachat with a breathtaking 360° view of the surrounding valleys and peaks: the Grand Arc, the Pic de la Lauzière, Mont Pourri, the Grande Casse, the Grand Bec, the Grande Motte, the Vanoise glaciers, not to mention Mont Blanc.

Walking Col de l’Arc, starting from La Gorraz

Local authority
↔6.48 mi ↗+2,569 ft ↘-2,566 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Léchère (Savoie)
Enjoy the scenery of the Tarentaise Valley, the Beaufortain, the Vanoise and the Lauzière massif.

Walking La Puceronne, starting from Pussy

Local authority
↔1.52 mi ↗+440 ft ↘-440 ft ◔1h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from La Léchère (Savoie)
A family walk in the heart of a typical Savoyard village.

Walking The Bellacha loop via Col de Basmont

Visorando Member
↔6.93 mi ↗+4,268 ft ↘-4,268 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Montsapey (Savoie)
Ascent of Bellacha via a wild trail on the way up, following the north-west and north ridges of Bellachat. The return route is via the Col de l'Arc and Col de Basmont passes, which offer different landscapes and avoid the descent via the ascent route, which is not always easy to find. This loop is not recommended in the opposite direction.

Walking Col de Basmont

Visorando Member
Col de Basmont
↔2.91 mi ↗+1,883 ft ↘-1,880 ft ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Montsapey (Savoie)
A pleasant walk to the Col de Basmont (1,791m), to fill your bag with blueberries, with the added bonus of views over the Beaufortin, the Chartreuse, Belledonne and the Aravis, amongst others.

Walking The Pissus and Lac du Loup circular loop

Local authority
↔4.20 mi ↗+1,640 ft ↘-1,611 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bonneval (Savoie) (Savoie)
Circular route through the Lauzière massif, which gives this area its distinctive rugged, rocky character.

Walking Circular Pissus - Lakes and Col du Loup

Visorando Member
Boucle des Pissus - Lacs et Col du Loup
↔4.63 mi ↗+2,260 ft ↘-2,283 ft ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bonneval (Savoie) (Savoie)
A lovely hike in the Lauzière massif, with views of the peaks and glaciers of the Vanoise, not to mention the inevitable Mont Blanc. You will also recognise the characteristic silhouette of the Cheval Noir along the way.

Walking The Lac Noir du Grand Arc via the Char de la Turche

Visorando Member
↔5.93 mi ↗+2,717 ft ↘-2,690 ft ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Montsapey (Savoie)
A beautiful loop on the southern slope of the Grand Arc, passing by the dark Lac Noir. At the start, a discovery trail allows hikers to step back in time. Directional signs and yellow markings.

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