La Louie Blanche via Lac du Retour

One of the most beautiful walks in La Rosière, a route that alternates between balcony-style paths and steep climbs, offering 360° views at an altitude of over 2,500 metres, with Lac du Retour as your reward.

Details

n°3689874

Creation:
28 Jul 2020

Last update:
15 Aug 2023

Last review:
02 Sep 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.47 mi
Average duration: 6h 00
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,907 ft
Descent: - 2,900 ft
Highest point: 8,317 ft
Lowest point: 5,830 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Vallée de la Tarentaise
City: Montvalezan (73700)
Start/End: N 45.628194° / E 6.867514°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3532ET, 3532ETR
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Description of the walk

The route starts from the Plan de l’Arc car park, at the end of the Route des Eucherts.

(S/E) Take the track on the left and head uphill towards the Fort chairlift. Stay on the track, pass under the Plan du Repos chairlift line and ignore the side paths. After a long stretch, leave the lower station of the Fort chairlift on your right and reach a hairpin bend to the left.

(1) Leave the track and turn right onto the path towards La Louïe Blanche. Ignore a path branching off to the left and head uphill, first north-east then east.

(2) At the junction, at an elevation of 2190, turn right (due south). Cross the stream and head for the Pierre Gravée junction.

(3) Then take the path that climbs to the left towards the Combe des Moulins. Head east-southeast.

(4) Cross the Torrent des Moulins and begin the challenging climb up the Passage de la Louïe Blanche. Navigate numerous hairpin bends before reaching the summit.

(5) Turn right (south-east) and head back down towards Lac du Retour. Pass a small, unnamed lake on your left, followed by a larger one. Continue due south.

(6) At a junction, at around 2,350 m, take the path on the right (south-west) and continue to another junction.

(7) Turn slightly to the right. Climb a steep but short slope and pass over the Col du Retour. Descend and, at the junction that follows immediately, turn left to reach Lac du Retour.

(8) Follow the northern shore of the lake and continue westwards. At the next junction, head slightly to the right and climb up to the Passage du Retour.

(9) Descend on the other side (west) towards Plan Pigeux. This is a steep and technical descent, so take your time. Ignore a path branching off to the left.

(10) At the junction, turn right (north-west) and head down to the Plan Pigeux sheepfold.

(11) Opposite (north-west), take the path towards Putétruit. Descend to the footbridge over the Torrent des Moulins.

(12) Cross the stream and head back up to the Putétruit alpine chalets. Then veer left. At the Fork in the road that appears shortly afterwards, take the track on the right. Further on, ignore a path branching off to the right and leave the lower station of the Plan du Repos chairlift on your right. Cross the Plan d’Arc leisure area and return to the Plan de l’Arc car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,066 ft - Car park at - Plan de l'Arc
1 : mi 1.45 - alt. 6,640 ft - Epinge bend – Lower station of the - Télésiège du Fort
2 : mi 2.27 - alt. 7,188 ft - Junction
3 : mi 2.5 - alt. 7,178 ft - Engraved stone
4 : mi 3.05 - alt. 7,297 ft - Crossing the Torrent des Moulins
5 : mi 3.46 - alt. 8,291 ft - Passage de la Louie Blanche
6 : mi 4.21 - alt. 7,717 ft - Junction
7 : mi 4.5 - alt. 7,822 ft - Junction
8 : mi 4.71 - alt. 7,841 ft - Lac du Retour
9 : mi 5.08 - alt. 7,884 ft - Return route
10 : mi 5.61 - alt. 6,608 ft - Junction
11 : mi 5.8 - alt. 6,414 ft - Plan Pigeux
12 : mi 6.22 - alt. 5,830 ft - Footbridge
S/E : mi 7.47 - alt. 6,063 ft - Car park at - Plan de l'Arc

Notes

Water points at Plan de l’Arc and Plan Pigeux (11).
Walking poles recommended.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Leligny

02 Sep 2024 at 11:57 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the region. Steep ascents and descents. The stunning Lac du Retour...
We completed the route starting from Roc Noir after taking the chairlift.

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rombra

01 Sep 2023 at 20:16 7200

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the walk in the opposite direction, which was quite nice.
Admittedly, the climb up to the lake is a bit steep, but it’s quite manageable. We then carried on without any trouble to Louis Blanc.
We then headed back down the other side; the descent is quite steep but is still manageable with good walking boots.
As for the length, it was just right for us – about 13km – and it took us 6½ hours, including our breaks and a lunch stop.
The scenery is absolutely brilliant – definitely worth a go!

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AlyssPhantom

15 Aug 2023 at 14:40 7200

Hike completed on 14 August 2023. Please note that, depending on the website, this hike is described quite differently.
As regular hikers every summer, we found the ascent very physically demanding. The descent (marked by red lines) is VERY dangerous if you are not properly equipped: the path runs along the mountainside, with crumbly rocks and challenging sections. Total walking time 7 hours (9 hours including a break) and a final distance of 22 km.

Nevertheless, the scenery is exceptional. Despite a few scares (we have a Malinois), the satisfaction of completing the route is well worth it.

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Rémi B.

14 Aug 2023 at 09:47 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike!
Be careful – the final climb up to the Louïe Blanche pass is quite vertiginous.
The distance might be slightly underestimated; in the end, I covered 18km (it’s true, I did a few extra bits )
Make sure you go when the weather is at its best to enjoy the views!