The Lac Noir du Grand Arc via the Char de la Turche

A beautiful loop on the southern slope of the Grand Arc, passing by the dark Lac Noir.
At the start, a discovery trail allows hikers to step back in time.
Directional signs and yellow markings.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 828 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 820 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,045 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,263 m

Description of the walk

Park in Tioulévé, also known as Lieulever.

(S) Go back down the road for 80 metres and take the path on the right.

(1). At the start, the path also serves as a discovery trail. After the place called Le Mouilles, the path turns sharply to the right.

(2) At a hairpin bend, leave the discovery trail and continue to the left. The path heads west, passes under a high-voltage line and begins a short descent towards an isolated chalet.

(3) Before reaching the chalet, the trail enters the forest for a sustained climb.
Along the way, the trail is joined on the left by another trail coming from Barbet. Continue climbing to emerge in the mountain pasture at a place called Le Chenalet (signposted, altitude 1,700 m).

(4) Continue north for 100 m and at the next intersection.

(5) Turn sharply right and climb up to Pas des Chèvres.

(6) Take the left option, Lac Noir via Char de la Turche, which you will reach after a difficult climb.

(7) At Char de la Turche (2,010 m), follow the clearly visible path heading north. It begins with a descent that must be approached with caution, then climbs again, avoiding the ridge path, and ends up slightly above Lac Noir.

(8) Pass the lake to the south, cross the torrent, which serves as an outlet, then after a series of descents and ascents, the trail begins a long descent. The slope becomes gentler as you enter the forest.

(9) Leave the path leading down to Les Plattières on your left, then cross the stream on a metal footbridge.

(10), rejoin a section of the Sentier de Découverte and the hamlet of Tioulévé (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,267 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 1,263 m - Leave the road and turn right
  3. 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 1,393 m - Pin
  4. 3 : km 1.59 - alt. 1,403 m - Return to the forest
  5. 4 : km 2.79 - alt. 1,699 m - Le Chenalet
  6. 5 : km 2.86 - alt. 1,709 m - At the intersection, turn right
  7. 6 : km 3.25 - alt. 1,781 m - No goats, climb to the left
  8. 7 : km 3.96 - alt. 1,999 m - Char de la Turche
  9. 8 : km 5 - alt. 2,019 m - Lac Noir (Lauzière)
  10. 9 : km 8.17 - alt. 1,459 m - Intersection towards Les Plattières
  11. 10 : km 8.4 - alt. 1,393 m - Footbridge
  12. S/E : km 9.55 - alt. 1,267 m - Parking

Notes

Dry toilets at the start.

Worth a visit

Discovery Trail.
Blueberry picking after 15 August.
Bed and breakfast accommodation in the hamlet of Tioulévé.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Olivier73
Olivier73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk done at Pentecost following the route suggested by Visorando. I really enjoyed the descent through the pastures with a beautiful view of the mountains opposite (Bellacha, etc.) and the section between the goat pass and the Char de la Turche (steep but enjoyable). Beautiful view at the Char de la Turche, which is a little high up but not difficult.
The lake at the foot of the Grand Arc is very beautiful and full of fish.
For those looking for peace and quiet, be aware that the trail was relatively busy on the day I did the hike.
In summary, with its varied landscapes and beautiful lake, this walk is well worth doing.

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sesame73
sesame73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route with excellent details, even though I didn't go through the Char de la Turche (you can pass underneath via the Pas des Chèvres). The colours are magnificent at this time of year in September. I highly recommend it!

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philippe basty
philippe basty

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to do in the direction suggested by Visorando.
Classified as moderate difficulty, I think it could be classified as difficult if you go via the Char de la Turche, given the significant elevation gain between points 6 and 7 and the exposed, rocky section where you often need to use your hands to climb over the rocks. Definitely do this with good shoes and walking sticks.
a beautiful reward upon arrival at the lake with a view of the Petit Arc and the Grand Arc. The descent, on the other hand, is long and monotonous with no particular interest

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Lawrie
Lawrie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done on 10/07 in the opposite direction to that described here, allowing you to climb up through the woods and then up to the mountain pastures, returning via the ridge path.
We enjoyed the breeze along the ridge.
You cross all types of terrain, which is very interesting and far from monotonous.
There is a park with sheep and patou dogs on the mountain pasture, but we had no problems and walked quietly along the edge of the park under the watchful eye of the patou dogs.
The view of the surrounding glaciers is really nice
The Relais du Lac Noir in the Tiouleve car park is a great place for a cold drink on the way back!

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MI.L
MI.L

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Exceptional weather. The village of Tioulévé is a marvel, a screen of greenery, a postcard.
Hiking, perfect route, perfect description. No difficult terrain.
The climb from Pas des Chèvres to Char de la Turche is tedious, and as if to remind us of everything we are escaping from when we go to the mountains, it offers a view of Port Royal and the Maurienne valley that we could well do without: motorway, town, buildings, factories, tracks, etc.
For those tempted by shortcuts, I would say no, it's important for the beauty of the site to arrive at Lac Noir from above, and not via the spillway.
That said, I would say that it's a beautiful hike, but its only real interest lies in the section between Lac Noir and the Col des Génisses.

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DomiP
DomiP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a great walk, definitely worth doing, beautiful surroundings

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bebert38
bebert38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with excellent weather and no issues with the route. A few tricky sections on the Char de la Turche ridge make this hike difficult for those who are prone to vertigo, who would be better off simply doing the Black Lake loop, which is a very beautiful circuit, well described and well marked. The Black Lake is magnificent

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Jé rôme
Jé rôme

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike on 14 July with our family (including pre-teens aged 12 and 15): it will remain a wonderful memory thanks to the variety of paths we took, the magnificent landscapes and the marmots! In my opinion, the route suggested by Visorando is the best (going the other way, the climb up through the mountain pastures can be long and monotonous). Finally, in terms of duration, allow at least an extra hour if you are average walkers!

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Mathw08
Mathw08

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent route!
It took us 6½ hours with two long breaks (a good hour for a picnic and another hour at the lake, where you can dip your feet... but that's all, it's too cold!)

The scenery was beautiful, and although the route was quite challenging in places, it was well worth the effort! (There were a few steep slopes in the woods and the climb up to Char de la Turche was quite rocky, but nothing impossible, even for occasional hikers).
We met a few people on the way in both directions and saw several groups at the lake.

On the descent between points 8 and 9, you have to cross several fields... in the middle of cows. A fast and enjoyable descent, no particular difficulties.

The signs are clear and placed along the path, so it's impossible to get lost. Thank you for a great day's hiking!

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familleLore
familleLore

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful route, very well described and very well signposted too.
we met lots of people doing it in the opposite direction (as we had done before), but we much preferred this direction!

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patpounet73
patpounet73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike in summer weather on 14 October.

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Pat90
Pat90

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful route along lovely, pleasant little paths.
The first and last quarters are in a shaded forest area, which is very pleasant in summer.
The open section offers magnificent 360° views of all the mountains.
However, the final climb to the Char de la Turche is quite technical.
The Lac Noir is charming and perfect for a snack break.

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jakes38
jakes38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For the climb, I didn't take the Char de la Turche route but went straight towards the lake.
The path descends a little then veers towards the lake with some safe rocky passages. One passage is even secured by a cable. This path is less difficult than the Char de la Turche route.
At this time of year, blueberries are in season.

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Anthea79
Anthea79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike that climbs through the forest and then into blueberry fields where pickers are busy at work (they had obviously been busy before I arrived!). Don't confuse real blueberries with bearberries!
The climb up to Char de la Turche is a little steeper and more exposed, but offers beautiful views of Lauzière, the entrance to Maurienne, Combe de Savoie and Les Bauges.
A very pleasant stop at the lake, which wasn't crowded at the end of the morning!
The descent is also interesting for its panoramic views. For my knees, I think the suggested route was the best.

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iffig
iffig

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

You can take the marked trail "Char de la Turche" directly from Chenalet, heading roughly west and then north, without going as far as Pas des Chèvres. The climb is less difficult, with a few slabs and small rocky outcrops, but nothing too challenging.

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