La Pierre des Saints from Lanslevillard

Go to Lanslevillard and stay on the main road (D902) that runs alongside the Arc. Park in Rue de Saint-Landry, where there are angled parking spaces available along the Arc, opposite a hotel-restaurant.

(S/E) Walk down the Arc a little and cross the bridge, following the direction of the Col du Mont Cenis. After the bridge, turn right onto Montée du Coin.

(1) Take the pedestrian stairway on the left, which cuts across the bend and goes up towards the church. When you reach the church, take the second street on the left, Rue de la Mairie, cross Rue Saint-Roch and continue on Place du Toron, turning left then right.

(2) Turn left onto the street that begins Chemin du Petit Bonheur. Continue along this street, which becomes a track after about 300 metres.

(3) At a place called La Lauzière, there is a track on the left that comes from Rue Saint-Roch and could have been a possible access route. Continue straight ahead.

(4) Pass by the Chapelle Saint-Étienne, where there is a picnic area ideal for a snack break. Continue along the track.

(5) At the hamlet of Chantelouve d'en haut, turn right onto the path towards Pierre des Saints (direction indicated on a sign).

(6) Near a stream, turn right towards "Pierre des Saints - Passage du Single", indicated on a carved wooden sign. The path winds up the right bank of a ravine.

(7) Turn right near the Pierre des Saints to quickly reach it: monument, sign, explanatory plaque, bench.
You are now on the path called "Chemin des Alpes". Continue southwards.
After crossing a pretty stream (Ruisseau de la Sétive), tackle the Passage du Single: a climb of about 100 m over 350 m of trail, with some sections secured by a lifeline.

(8) After the Passage du Single, leave the Route du Châtel (sign) on your right and continue towards Lac de l'Arcelle.

(9) At a place called Les Fontanettes, leave the direction of Arcelle Neuve (sign) and turn left at the top towards Lac de l'Arcelle.
When you reach the lake, walk around it to see the various engraved stones and continue along the path that heads south-west towards Arcelle Neuve.

(10) Just after crossing a chairlift, join a track and follow it to the right towards the hamlet of Arcelle Neuve.

(11) At the Sainte-Agathe Chapel, take a path on the left that descends, crosses the chairlift and joins a track to follow on the right.

(12) Shortly after crossing the chairlift again, turn left towards the hamlet of Arcelle Neuve d'en bas, which you cross on a path that, after crossing a piste, descends into the forest towards the north.
This path winds through the forest, crossing several slopes, then crosses the Arcelle chairlift route.

(13) Immediately afterwards, head towards the Saint-Pierre ski lift and descend the piste to Pont Noir, where you will reach a road after passing the Saint-Pierre Chapel.

(14) Turn right. Follow this road, which becomes Rue des Essart then Rue Saint-Roch, making two hairpin bends before reaching the bridge crossing the Arc. Cross the bridge and you will find the car park on your right (S/E).

There are no real difficulties on this route except for the Passage du Single, which requires good leg strength and a firm grip to hold on to the lifeline, a few steep climbs to reach the Pierre des Saints, and a few steep descents after Arcelle Neuve (walking sticks recommended). Everything else is a gentle stroll.

Be careful when crossing the streams flowing down from the glacier in case of rain or storms. Having done the hike in August, I have no knowledge of the conditions in other seasons. I imagine that the snowmelt period must be more difficult for crossing these streams.

My itinerary dates from 2009. It is therefore possible that changes have been made, especially to the paths and tracks descending from Arcelle Neuve. For the rest, my experience has shown me that the Chemin du Petit Bonheur and the Chemin des Alpes (^GRP® Tour de la Haute Maurienne) are paths that have stood the test of time.

There are many possible variations for this hike, thanks to the fairly dense network of trails and paths in this valley. You can also come to the Pierre des Saints from Bessans (start of the Ribon route).

You can take advantage of this route to take a closer look at the treasures of the area's heritage, such as a dozen chapels and numerous engraved stones.