L'Arpette from Breil-sur-Roya 15 April 2016

Hello Dominique, yes, I did see later that it was on the website. It’s true that the free descent is a bit of a slog, but I just don’t like doing a hike where I have to retrace my steps – it really breaks my heart to do that! Even if I reach the summit, I have to come down a different way; it’s a real obsession of mine
Best regards, Guy

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Hello @gege 10
Basically, the route you’ve summarised is the circular route I describe on this page:
The circular Arpette from Breil-sur-Roya via Libre.

I’ve also climbed Arpette a number of times, and it’s nicer to do the circular loop via Libre (although the descent from Libre is gruelling)
Best regards,
Dominique

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Hello Ran 54. No, there’s no descent; the climb is steady all the way. There’s a relatively flat stretch of about 400 metres at this point, where you’ll find yourself facing the summit. There’s still about 400 metres of elevation gain to go. Be careful here: the shepherd lets his horses roam freely, so take care if you have a dog.

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Date of your route : Apr 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, I’ve only just signed up, so apologies for the late reply. I’ve done this hike about ten times, but it’s a circular route – I usually finish by joining the Italian trail, then head back down via Fourquin and arrive at the village of Libre. From there, I take the Roya Valley path – you could say it’s quite challenging. Otherwise, just doing the return trip to L’Arpette is a bit of a let-down; there’s a 1,305-metre elevation gainsince you’re starting from the village, which is at an altitude of 270 metres. It can be done in any season, but in winter be careful as the snow can be deep on the Italian side; make sure you have crampons as there may be black ice. Otherwise, in the right season it’s very pretty with a beautiful view from the summit of L’Arpette. And be warned: there’s no water at all, even if you head down to Libre (there’s water at Libre). I have some photos but they’re too large for the site – sorry. If you want to do a circular route via the Roche Fourquin, go to Libre and return to Breil from L’Arpette, then head back down to the junction sign and take the direction of Tête d’Alpes, skirting the cliff face heading south; you’ll find yourself on a track after 800m. Keep heading south, then at the junction take the track on the right; you’ll pass in front of some Italian barracks below. The track becomes a path and descends on the Italian side—4 or 6 hairpin bends, I can’t remember—then you arrive on a ridge at La Roche Fourquin; the path on the right is hard to see, though there’s usually a marker The terrain drops steeply in a zigzag through a pine forest before giving way to a rocky wasteland. Descend freely, top up your water supplies, then take the road on the right. The valley path starts 400 metres further down on the right-hand side; you’ll see a metal barrier opposite a house that’s perpetually under renovation. Follow the path and you’ll rejoin a track after two kilometres, then arrive at a reservoir. The track climbs; do not follow it. The path starts opposite, further down, and descends into the valley. You will arrive on the south side of Breil via the Porte de Genes. Allow 7 to 10 hours depending on your fitness level. I average 3.5 km/h and rarely stop, only to take photos. Have a good time!

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Hello,

Good point

I’ve run the calculation again . The result is as follows:

Elevation gain: 1589m
Elevation loss: 1588m

Non-negotiable

See you soon

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Good evening,

The reason this hike is classified as ‘very difficult’ is solely due to its elevation gain of 1,607 metres over 6.3 kilometres. Whether the elevation gain constitutes a difficulty is up to each individual to decide!!!

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Hello,

Classifying the difficulty of a hike is a real challenge. Personally, I take into account the fact that this will also appeal to occasional hikers who are not used to the usual demands. The same issue applies to information boards showing estimated times to reach a destination.
Thank you for the suggestions on varying the return route.

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Date of your route : May 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

First of all, I don’t agree with the difficulty rating: ‘very difficult’. (How else could you classify high-mountain hikes that are far more challenging?!) There’s nothing difficult about this route. At most, it requires a certain amount of stamina, but that’s all.

I’ve already done this hike several times as described (returning via the same route). Yesterday I wanted to change this monotonous return route, so I continued on towards the Tête d’Alpe, the Roche Fourquin and then the long descent to the hamlet of Libre.
Finally, I returned to Breil-sur-Roya via the Valléen path. Total distance 25.5 km, approximately 1,900 m of ascent and descent, and 10½ hours’ walking. Even so, I wouldn’t classify this hike as very difficult.
As for the highlights of this hike: at this time of year, snow still covers the peaks of the Mercantour; from the Arpette, you can clearly make out the Petit Capelet, the Cime du Diable, and Mont Bégo... Just before the Roche Fourquin, there is a superb view of the Roya estuary and Ventimiglia, as well as the Nervia estuary and Vallecrosia.

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Date of your route : May 16, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A good climb and a very pleasant route

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