Col de la Frèche – Col d’Arpingon

Park in the large car park at the now-closed Val Pelouse ski resort.

(S/E) Head up the road that continues above the car park. Enter the mountain pasture and walk for 70 metres to reach a small crossroads.

(1) Head up to the right along the path, first through the mountain pasture and then into a more wooded area. The path winds several times before reaching a wide, flat area.

(2) Turn right and follow a long ridge path offering numerous views. You’ll reach the Col de La Perrière.

(3) From the pass, head down to the right along a stony path to a junction situated just above the Refuge de la Perrière.

(4) Turn left. Climb for a long while, ignoring the path to the left leading up to Les Grands Moulins (painted markings on the rocks).

(5) 50 metres further on, leave the^GR® 738 and turn left onto a fairly steep path, which leads to the Col de la Frèche.

(6) From the pass, descend slightly to the other side of the slope and turn right (south) onto a faint track that runs along the ridge and gradually climbs back up to rejoin the GR^®.

(7) Continue southwards and, after a series of ascents and descents, reach the Col d’Arpingon.

(8) For the return journey, follow the route in reverse until you reach the junction just above the Refuge de la Perrière, bypassing the Col de la Frèche.

(4) Follow the path on the left which heads west before quickly turning north, after a short stretch still in the open. Then enter the forest and follow the path until it emerges into the nearby mountain pasture, above the crossroads where the walk began.
Then walk downhill along the edge of the woodland, rejoining first the footpath, then the road, and finally the car park (S/E).

La Perrière refuge: unstaffed, water source nearby.

Note: on the way there, you can head directly to the Refuge de la Perrière without taking the ridge path.