Crêt du Midi via the Chemin des Contrebandiers

To get to the start, at the roundabout at the exit of Praz-sur-Arly towards Megève, follow the signs to the right: Les Varins, Les Thouvassières. Cross the bridge over the Arly and immediately turn left towards Les Thouvassières. Continue along this small road (Route des Thouvassières) until you reach the end. Park in the small car park at the end of the road (three spaces) or return to the previous hairpin bend and park along the road on the downstream side.

(S/E) From the hamlet of Les Touvassières, take the forest path that climbs steeply to the left at the edge of the woods. After a right-hand bend, continue along this path through the undergrowth until you reach a chalet in Les Frassies.

(1) Continue along the path that runs along the back wall of the chalet and continue through the woods. You will arrive at a pasture area and reach an alpine chalet with a fountain and a drinking trough. Turn left, reach the ridge and follow it to the right. Continue along a grassy path at the edge of the forest until you reach a carriage track.

(2) Turn right and reach the fork at Chalet du Chevan.

(3) Continue straight ahead along the track, which descends slightly and crosses the Ruisseau des Varins stream. Continue along this track until you reach the fork leading to the arrival station of the Crêt du Midi chairlift.

(4) Turn left for a round trip to the orientation table.

(5) After enjoying the view, return to the previous fork.

(4) Once back, continue straight ahead, walk past the Refuge du Petit Tétras and join the next trail on the left.

(6) Follow this trail, pass three hairpin bends and arrive at a three-way junction.

(7) Continue climbing to the left until you reach an alpine chalet and the arrival point of a ski lift.

(8) Follow the path that climbs to the left of the track. This is not particularly difficult (many small hairpin bends). At the Croix du Crêt du Midi, continue along the ridge and reach the highest point of the Crêt du Midi.

(9) Continue along the ridge and, at the piste, turn left, climbing slightly, until you find a trail starting on the left (Col de la Butte).

(10) Leave the track and follow the path. This descends gradually, passing under the Ban Rouge chairlift and curving to the left. At the bottom of the slope, go around a small lake on your right, overlooking it, then pass under the chairlift again. Continue downhill until you reach the end of a stony track (not shown on the IGN map).

(11) Cross this and continue opposite on the descending path that joins the Chalets de la Butte and the track that can be seen below.

(12) Continue to the left and follow this track to the Chalet du Chevan.

(3) Turn right and retrace your steps to the hamlet of Les Touvassières (S/E).

The route is not very well marked but easy to follow with numerous signposts.
From (3) to (3) (circular route), fun signs along the Chemin des Contrebandiers (Smugglers' Trail) also mark the route.

You can take the Crêt du Midi chairlift, which is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The descent is free of charge.
To avoid the crowds, I recommend doing this hike on Monday or Friday (when the chairlift is closed).

You can also start from the Leutaz car park. Follow the track and join the (2) (200 m less elevation gain and 1 km longer).

The Chemin des Contrebandiers (Smugglers' Trail) is a route created by the Praz-sur-Arly Tourist Office, based on the history of the region. This hike allows children to take part in a treasure hunt in the mountains.
Fun signs help you find a secret code and solve a riddle at the top of the Crêt du Midi chairlift.
Equipped with the comic book on sale at the Praz-sur-Arly Tourist Office, set off in search of the treasure of Fanfouétomas, the famous praline smuggler. Fun signs will serve as games to find clues to write down in the book.
Source: Praz-sur-Arly Tourist Office

The suggested route starts with the last clue, just after the Ruisseau des Varins ford.
The secret code can be found between the Crêt du Midi chairlift arrival point and the orientation table (5).