From Le Chenal to the Refuge de l’Archeboc

The route starts at the Chenal car park. To get there, from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, head towards Val d’Isère then, at the junction at a place called Les Pigettes, turn left onto the small road that climbs up to the lower Chenal car park. There are several parking spaces and a toilet block on site.

(S) Follow a track heading south-east.

(1) Shortly afterwards, take a path on the left which crosses the area known as ‘Chenal dessus’.

(2) rejoin the track and follow it to the left. Then ignore a track coming from the right and continue the climb northwards to the hamlet of La Combaz.

(3) Continue along the path that branches off to the right towards Monal.

(4) At a junction, turn right (north-east). You’ll come out onto another path; follow it to the right, pass the Saint-Clair Chapel and you’ll soon reach a junction.

(5) Then turn left. Cross a stream and continue along the path that branches off to the left towards Sainte-Foy. Keep heading west-north-west.

(6) At a fork in the road, at a place called l’Échaillon, follow the Via Alpina to the left. You’ll pass under a high-voltage power line several times. You’ll arrive at a car park.

(7) Continue north-westwards, descending along the Via Alpina. Cross a track twice.

(8) Join the track and follow it to the right. At the next junction, carry on straight ahead (north) to reach the Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise resort directly beneath a chairlift line.

(9) Follow a small road to the right which immediately turns left, still on the Via Alpina.

(10) Take the first right. At the Fork in the road, keep left. Follow the Via Alpina, first north-east then north, to the hamlet known as Le Planay Dessus.

(11) Continue north on a small road.

(12) Take a path that climbs to the right towards the Refuge de l’Archeboc. After a hairpin bend to the left, ignore a path branching off to the left.

(13) At the crossroads of paths, carry on straight ahead (north-east).

(14) Join a track and follow it to the right. At the Fork in the road, turn right, staying on the Via Alpina. Walk for a long time through the forest.

(15) Leave the forest and continue along the Via Alpina, generally heading east. You’ll soon catch sight of the refuge amongst the hills. After a left-hand bend and crossing a stream, you’ll reach the Refuge de l’Archeboc (E).

Le Monal: a very pretty little hamlet.

The Refuge de l’Archeboc: a warm welcome and a lovely refuge.