The Cirque des Évettes

Coming from Bessans via the D902 and passing Bonneval-sur-Arc on your left, you’ll reach a sweeping bend where the tourist office is situated at the junction with the Route du Tralenta, which branches off to the right. Take this road, which climbs gently for about 300 m, to reach a car park on your left.
Coming from the Col de l’Iseran, the Route du Tralenta will be on your left.

(S/E) The walk starts at the exit of the car park; turn left and follow a path that will take you to the hamlet of L’Écot. On leaving the hamlet, you’ll come to a small road leading to the hamlet of Le Mollard. Do not head towards the hamlet, but carry on straight ahead until you reach a crossroads.

(1) At the crossroads, continue down the road on your right.

(2) Turn left to reach the start of the path leading to the Gorge de la Reculaz.

(3) The path continues through a flat, green area before reaching the trickiest part of the walk.

(4) This is where the most challenging 360 m of ascent begins, with several short sections fitted with cables to help you make your way up.

(5) Once you can see the small bridge by the waterfall, head in that direction.

(6) Ignore a hairpin bend to the right – you’ll take that on the way back – and carry on straight ahead.

(7) Reculaz Waterfall Bridge – don’t forget to take a souvenir photo. Retrace your steps.

(6) Carry on along the path on the left, which will take you to the Refuge des Èvettes.

(8) You are now starting your return journey by taking the path to the left of the refuge.

(9) At the signpost, follow the direction indicated for Bessans; to do this, do not continue straight ahead but turn round to take a path slightly above the one you arrived on. A few metres further on, turn right and continue along the^GRP® Tour de la Haute-Maurienne.

(10) You are now beneath the cables of the Moulinet ski lift. Follow the faintly marked path to join the track leading to the ski lifts.

(11) Continue down this path to reach the departure point for two ski lifts near the Refuge du Criou.

(12) Follow a wide track – which serves as a ski run at other times of the year – to reach the bridge spanning the Arc.

(13) After crossing the bridge, take the path on your right which leads you back to the car park (S/E).

This hike has been classified as ‘Difficult’ due to its length and, in particular, the tricky section between points (4) and (5). It should only be undertaken in good weather, when the ground is dry.
If you are with children, the utmost caution is required on the section between points (4) and (5), near the bridge and the waterfall.
Good walking boots are strongly recommended for safety reasons.
There are short sections fitted with cables.
Make sure you take enough water with you, even though it is possible to top up your supplies at the mountain hut.
Spending the night at the mountain hut is a very pleasant option and avoids the need for such a long day’s walk.

Option to reduce the elevation gain slightly, but above all the distance: Start the walk from the car parks near L’Écot and, on the way back, at point (9), take the path towards L’Écot, saving 250 metres of elevation gain and nearly 7 km in distance.

After crossing the bridge (7), you can venture a little further into the Plan des Evettes.