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Access to the start of the hike is from Aiguebelle. Head towards Randens, then after the bridge over the Arc, continue on the main road towards Argentine/Montsapey. Then take the road that climbs to the left towards Montsapey. After about ten kilometres towards Montsapey through the woods, you will reach the start of the hike in Tioulévé.
(S/E) From Tioulévé, various signs point the way to Lac Noir (2½ hours) and Grand Arc (3½ hours).
Take the path dotted with information about the local flora; this is the discovery trail, each section as interesting as the next.
Under the high-voltage power line, you will come to a crossroads where two paths meet.
(1) Leave the discovery trail and head straight ahead to quickly reach the Ruisseau du Lac Noir stream.
(2) Cross it and leave the woods for a moment to enjoy a beautiful view of the Lauzière massif. You will then return to the forest after a short walk across a field, then reach a new meadow where the Chalet de la Logagne (wild blueberry bushes) is located.
(3) Continue climbing to reach the Col des Génisses, where you will see a stone that closely resembles a menhir.
(4) Continue towards the Grand Arc and Lac Noir, crossing numerous streams, including the Grand Arc. You will then arrive at Lac Noir.
(5) At Lac Noir, walk along the lake until you reach a path that climbs quite steeply behind the rocky outcrop
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(6) Take it on the right until you reach the intersection of the two peaks of Grand Arc and Petit Arc, which marks the start of the final ascent to the summit.
(7) Follow the ridge, which offers increasingly exceptional views of Mont Pourri to the east and Les Écrins and Les Grandes Rousses to the south. The final stretch has a few tricky sections where you will need to use your hands to pull yourself up the rocks. Reach the summit of the Grand Arc.
(8) For the descent, take the same route to the junction of the two summits.
(7) Turn right to reach the Petit Arc with its beautiful cross at the summit.
(9) Return to the crossroads.
(7) Follow the same route back to the junction after Lac Noir.
(6) Ignore the outward route on the left here and turn right towards Char de la Turche. The path allows you to enjoy the ridge and admire the view of the Maurienne valley and Belledonne.
(10) Continue downhill on the path on the right. After a sharp bend to the left, you will reach the Source du Chenalet.
(11) Enter the forest and walk along the path to reach the stream and the high-voltage power line crossing.
(12) Descend the wide path to the junction with the discovery trail.
(13) Turn left and stay on this path to return to the original crossroads.
(1) Return to the car park where you started the hike by following the same route you took on the way there (S/E).
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