The Cormet d'Arêches and the Croix du Berger

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This moderately difficult hike offers magnificent views of Lac de Saint-Guérin on one side and the Cormet d'Arêches torrent valley on the other.

Details

n°769897
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 325 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 328 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,237 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,909 m
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Photos

Lac des Fées shrouded in mist
Lac des Fées
Lac de St Guérin
Two lakes in perspective

Description of the walk

(S) From the Lac des Fées car park, take the path marked "Cormet d'Arêches", heading south.

(1) When the trail joins the track, take it on the right going uphill. It is about 500m to Cormet d'Arêches.

(2) At Cormet d'Arêches, take the path climbing directly to the left. This is the least marked of all the paths passing through Cormet d'Arêches, but the Croix du Berger is indicated on the hiking signs. Follow the path to the Croix du Berger and admire the landscape.

(3) Then turn back and descend via the same route to Cormet d'Arêches.

(2) Then take the track you used on the way up in the direction of the descent.

(1) From this point, you can either descend via the path you took on the way up or continue along the track (option shown on the attached map). The latter is longer but more pleasant, for example after a period of rain that has made the path you took on the way up muddy.

You will arrive at the Lac des Fées car park, which was your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,912 m - Lac des Fées
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 2,066 m - Junction with the track
  3. 2 : km 1.19 - alt. 2,104 m - Cormet d'Arêches - Cormet d'Arêches
  4. 3 : km 2.03 - alt. 2,237 m - Croix du Berger - Croix du Berger
  5. S/E : km 4.95 - alt. 1,909 m - Lac des Fées

Notes

To get to the start of the hike, take the D218D road from Arêches, following the signs for "Barrage de Saint-Guérin".

Once at the dam, take the road on the left, passing in front of the snack bar, and continue uphill. Once you reach the end of the paved road, continue on the gravel track (accessible to all passenger cars and motorcycles capable of handling the roads on the date of this hike, 5 September 2017).

From the start of the track, take a hairpin bend to the left, then one to the right. Park in the small car park located right by Lac des Fées.

Worth a visit

Lac de Saint-Guérin offers a discovery trail on the theme of hydroelectricity, which is free and accessible to all (including pushchairs and wheelchairs). It runs along the three accessible sides of the lake (the left bank is off-limits due to rock falls) and offers beautiful views of the lake. If you arrive at the right time, you can watch the cows being milked at the chalet by the lake. It is also possible to walk across the dam itself, which offers an impressive view of the valley.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 13662885
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk, a bit challenging at the Shepherd's Cross, but what a view! Thank you

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paquerette73
paquerette73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Cool and friendly family atmosphere since Cormet de Roseland.

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sab
sab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for the description and the easy-to-follow route. There are lots of signs along the way, so it's impossible to get lost.
We chose to park at Lac de St Guérin and walk up to Croix du Berger via Lac des Fées and then Cormet D'Arêches. The climb took us three hours. It was a steady climb and the surroundings were magical at this time of year. There were no difficulties.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few people at the lake and cars driving up to Cormet.
Hiking with dogs is permitted from 15 September onwards. Before that, it is prohibited.

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Daegalen
Daegalen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I've done this hike twice. Once last year (2021) in July, on a foggy day, with temperatures of 4°C at the top and 10°C further down. And the other hike in July this year (2022), in glorious weather.
And I must say that I enjoyed both. The view in good weather is splendid, but in foggy weather it's just as nice, with a feeling of calm and mystery...

In any case, I feasted my eyes on the view, and my partner, who accompanied me on the second hike, was delighted.

However, coming from Aime, we stopped at Plan Pichu. This made the walk longer, but the path up to the cornet is very nice, with a short stop at the Coire refuge on the way back to enjoy a well-deserved Blonde de Granier beer.

Thank you for this route!!!

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So trip
So trip

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Option to extend the route by starting from Lake Saint-Guerain and the mountain pastures and grazing lands. (A description is available on Visorando with this introductory route)

What a lovely hike! Between Lac de Saint-Guerain and its crystal-clear waters, the climb with views of the two lakes, the double panorama from Cormet d'Arêche and the 360° landscape from Croix du Berger, what more could you ask for?

When I did it, there were a few snowfields to get around, some easier than others, but nothing impossible!
Similarly, there was still a lot of snow on the edge of the track back to Lac des Fées; impressive!

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