From Alpe de Villard-d'Arène to Monêtier-les-Bains

Stage2 of the Tour du Combeynot: From the Romanche to the Guisane Valley via the Col d'Arsine, this stage takes place at the foot of the Agneaux

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour du Combeynot en 4 étapes

Details

2241874
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 385 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 986 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,457 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,463 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Pass the Alpe de Villar-d'Arène refuge on your right and continue climbing up the Planche valley (towards Col d'Arsine). After a flat section followed by a few hairpin bends, you will reach Col d'Arsine.

(1) At the pass, take the path on the right leading to Lac d'Arsine.

(2) Return via the same path to the Col d'Arsine.

(1) Descend along the path through scree and large boulders. It reaches a series of small lakes which it overlooks, then arrives at the old Arsine chalet, situated on the opposite bank of the torrent. Descend via switchbacks on the left bank of the torrent and cross the torrent downstream of Lac de la Douche.

(3) At Lac de la Douche, theGR® leaves the Écrins National Park and enters a larch forest dominated, on the right, by the seracs of the Glacier du Casset. The path widens into a forest track. Follow it to Le Casset.

(4) Cross the Guisane, then walk through the village following the left bank of the Guisane.
Before the church, cross the stream and take the path on the left.
Walk along the right bank of the Guisane, cross the Pont des Granges bridge and continue to Monêtier-les-Bains, heading for the lodge in the centre of the village (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,080 m - Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar d'Arêne
  2. 1 : km 3.01 - alt. 2,350 m - Col d'Arsine (2340m)
  3. 2 : km 4.21 - alt. 2,456 m - Lacs d'Arsine
  4. 3 : km 8.93 - alt. 1,903 m - Lac de la Douche
  5. 4 : km 12.31 - alt. 1,515 m - Le Casset
  6. E : km 15.34 - alt. 1,479 m - Le Monetier Les Bains

Notes

(2) Lake Arsine: this is a moraine lake held back by the terminal moraine of the Arsine Glacier.
(E) Le Flourou Lodge
Address: 31 Rue Bonbourget, 05220 Le Monêtier-les-Bains
Telephone: 04 92 24 41 13

You are hiking in the heart of the Écrins National Park.

The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a natural, cultural and scenic heritage that is truly unique. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue, white and red flags, and certain regulations must be observed. Please familiarise yourself with these rules when planning your hike to help preserve this shared heritage, at https://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.

Worth a visit

Visit the Grands Bains du Monêtier (hot spring)

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 15579408

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent landscapes along this stage. We spent the night at the campsite in Monetier-les-Bains

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nanoucouramiaude
nanoucouramiaude

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely descent along the stream, but quite a long one
I’ve already done it several times going uphill, which I much prefer... far more beautiful in my opinion.
It’s my annual ritual hike. Le Casset → Lac Arsine and the descent to Le Pied du Col: MAGNIFICENT! I never tire of it!

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mariedo8655
mariedo8655

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We completed the Combeynots route in three days (instead of four), setting off from Le Lauzet to combine the two shortest stages. It was a decision we didn’t regret.
Day 1: We set off from Le Lauzet to Lautaret, then from Lautaret to the Alpe de Villar refuge, where we camped, surrounded by marmots.
Day 2: Alpe de Villard-d’Arène to Monêtier-les-Bains
The longest day, but truly MAGNIFICENT. A must-do!
After a short break in Monétier, we set off on the final leg to find a place to camp. Near the St Anne chapel above Monétier, it was perfect.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello, indeed, this route, as you mention, leaves one feeling
Captivated by such beauty
which explains your second comment
quite a few visitors
This summer, the valleys around Briançon, Névache, Cervières and Guisane were very popular with tourists.
And for those in the Serre Chevalier valley, what could be more natural than heading to the easily accessible Lac de la Douche from Le Casset? Then, to get to Arsine, there are fewer people… though.
Have a lovely day and many thanks for this very positive comment.

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Jowall
Jowall

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike needs no words; it must be experienced... Captivated by such beauty...

From Lac de la Douche, there are quite a few people passing by (mostly coming from the other direction)

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