Le Crêt des Mouches from Le Fontany

Above Saint-Ferréol, head for the hamlet of Le Fontany. In fact, a few metres before the houses, there is a well-maintained car park. Access to the village itself is restricted to residents. Park in the car park.

(S/E) From the car park, walk along the path leading towards the houses.

(1) After a few metres, take the path on the right towards a barn and, just before it, turn left onto the path that climbs steeply into the forest. Follow this path, which is well marked by old tracks supplemented by small modern signs usually nailed to tree trunks with yellow arrows on a green background.

The path is mostly steep. It alternates between a wide forest track and a narrow path. It mostly follows the route shown on the IGN map but sometimes deviates by a few metres (recent route corrections). To avoid getting lost, simply follow the most clearly marked path, without being led astray by dead-end branches.

(2) You’ll reach Plan du Chouet, where a sign indicates the path, noting that from there, the route to Crêt des Mouches is no longer signposted. In reality, it’s the modern signposts that have disappeared. However, you’ll still find a few green-painted markings, though they’re quite far apart.

(3) You’ll reach the Arpettaz ridge and continue along the path. A first fork offers a choice between a path to the left and another to the right. You can follow either one. Then a second fork of the same kind appears. You must then take the right-hand path (the left-hand branch takes you too high up the ridge and you then have to descend an awkward slope to get back onto the path).

Follow the path as it crosses over and then, little by little, make your way down into the valley via a less comfortable and exposed path that leads towards the Chalets d’Arclosan.

(4) From the chalets, the summit is clearly visible. You can approach it via various routes. The attached GPS track suggests a climb below the ridge on the left bank of the valley. You can choose your own route. However, the most comfortable route is actually the one that follows the valley floor (this is the one the track follows on the descent).

(5) After passing a small pass, reach the Crêt des Mouches, above on the right.
Descend via the same route or the alternative chosen on the GPS track, heading down the left-hand cobbled path to reach the Chalets d’Arclosan.

(4) Then follow the route back in the opposite direction to return to Le Fontany (S/E).

No real water source in August. Perhaps in a less dry year, water is available at the various chalets? The hike presents no technical difficulty but it is already a bit long and the path is almost constantly steep. These are the only two reasons for the ‘difficult’ rating. It is best to wear good footwear and walking poles are useful.