The Bellacha loop via Col de Basmont

After the hamlet of Tioulévé in the commune of Montsapey, continue along the Chalet des Rouelles track: the car park is just after the bridge.

(S/E) Follow the Chalet des Rouelles track to the hairpin bend on the left.

(1) Take the yellow-marked path on the right, which climbs gently, then enters the forest and reaches an intersection.

(2) Turn left towards Bellacha. The path, which is quite wide at the start, becomes narrower and a little overgrown but is still clearly marked. Follow it until you reach a mountain pasture at an altitude of 1,662 metres.

(3) From this point, the path disappears into the mountain pasture. Head almost due north for about 70 metres and pass by a rock slab. Continue in the same direction for 80 metres and veer slightly to the left to find the trail that passes by a small group of four trees with a directional post on one of them.

(4) Follow the trail, which enters the mountain pine and blueberry bushes. It is not always easy to see but is nevertheless always marked. Reach the north-west ridge of Mont Bellacha.

(5) Climb up the ridge on the right. After the 2351 metre mark, the ridge turns south. Reach the intersection with the descent path on the east side, which you will take on the way back.

(6) Continue southwards on a horizontal traverse with a few slightly exposed sections. The path then turns sharply eastwards and winds its way up a series of very tight hairpin bends to reach the summit of Mont Bellacha.

(7) Descend to the fork in the paths marked on the way up.

(6) Switch to the east side via a well-marked trail.

(8) Leave the path on your left that leads to elevation 2128: this path is not used and would require you to descend via the ascent path, which is not recommended. See § Practical information. Continue the easy descent to the Col de l'Arc. A hundred metres further on, the Cabane du Col de l'Arc (shared with shepherds) offers shelter and has a fountain.

(9) Take the path heading west, crossing almost horizontally, to reach Col de Basmont.

(10) Turn left to follow the well-marked path down to the Chalet des Rouelles. You will reach the chalet without any difficulty.

(11) Just before the buildings, stay on the path that veers to the right to reach the car park (S/E).

As indicated in the description, the path is not always easy to find on the way up, so I do not recommend descending via the same route.
The descent via Col de l'Arc and Col de Basmont is much safer and easy to find.

(11) You can follow the track straight ahead that passes through (1) before returning to the car park.

It is possible to sleep at the Col de l'Arc hut: unguarded refuge.