The Trou de la Mouche circular loop via three valleys

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This hike is challenging, but it takes you off the beaten track between the Tardevant and Paccaly valleys. You’ll cross three valleys: Tardevant, Paccaly and Grand Crêt. And, of course, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range on one side and the Jura on the other. In early summer, the flora here is extremely varied, helping you to forget a few tricky sections on the scree slopes.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.30 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,593 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,586 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,995 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,731 ft
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Description of the walk

To reach the start point from Annecy or the Arve Valley, drive via Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, through La Clusaz, and up to Les Confins, in the Aravis mountains, at the end of the road. Shuttle buses run to this location from Thônes, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand.

(S/E) From the car park, take the correct path.

(1) Leave the Combe de Grand Crêt on your right and continue straight on to reach the Paccaly chalet.

(2) Just before you reach it, take the small path on the right, which crosses the Combe de Paccaly, and follow it to Paccaly d’en haut.

(3) Ignore the path veering right into the Combe de Paccaly and take the one running alongside the Paccaly d’en haut chalet. Join the access path to the Chalets de Tardevant and head towards them.

(4) Just before the chalets, take the path on the left heading south-east into the Combe de Tardevant and climb up to Lac de Tardevant.

(5) Continue above the lake and, when the slope levels out, leave the path and head south, to the right, across the scree, where there is no marked path.

(6) Head as best you can towards a clearly visible path that crosses the valley towards the south-west, and join it.

(7) Follow this path to the right, which disappears into the scree, but a handrail is visible and leads to an unnamed pass.

(8) From this pass, the “Passage du Père” is clearly visible, but the descent is steep and requires constant attention. Reach the Combe de Paccaly path which climbs up from Paccaly d’en haut.

(9) Continue the ascent via the “Passage du Père” and then along a very pleasant ridge to reach the very busy Trou de la Mouche.

(10) Continue downhill along the very busy Combe de Grand Crêt path to the wide track you took earlier.

(1) Turn left and follow the path back the way you came to the Arpattaz car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,731 ft - Arpettaz car park - Lac des Confins
  2. 1 : mi 0.28 - alt. 4,760 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.8 - alt. 4,892 ft - Paccaly Chalet
  4. 3 : mi 1.5 - alt. 5,469 ft - Chalet de Paccaly d’en Haut
  5. 4 : mi 2.03 - alt. 5,909 ft - Tardevant chalets
  6. 5 : mi 2.79 - alt. 6,949 ft - Lac de Tardevant
  7. 6 : mi 2.99 - alt. 7,198 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 3.26 - alt. 7,667 ft - T-junction – Path
  9. 8 : mi 3.47 - alt. 7,874 ft - Unnamed pass
  10. 9 : mi 3.59 - alt. 7,612 ft - Combe de Paccaly Trail – Passage du Père
  11. 10 : mi 3.99 - alt. 7,995 ft - Trou de la Mouche
  12. S/E : mi 6.3 - alt. 4,738 ft - Arpettaz car park

Notes

(S/E) Very large car park and comfortable toilets.

(6) You can follow part of the path that climbs towards Ambrevetta and change direction when you rejoin the path leading to the Combe de Paccaly. This makes the route longer but is certainly more comfortable than the route described here.

Other walks in the area

Walking The Trou de la Mouche loop

Visorando Member
Le Trou de la Mouche en boucle
↔5.42 mi ↗+3,340 ft ↘-3,327 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
This is a classic destination in the Combes des Aravis, allowing you to visit two pretty combes linked by a remarkable natural curiosity.

Walking Trou de la Mouche

Visorando Member
Trou de la Mouche
↔5.50 mi ↗+3,327 ft ↘-3,323 ft ◔5 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
A steep walk to a natural rock arch, the Trou de la Mouche (Fly Hole). The section up to the Trou is steep and loose in places, the initial descent is also steep but soon eases off. This route, although shown on IGN maps, is not marked with paint flashes. Signposts at the start of the route make this clear so make sure you have a map and compass. The walk is best done in the direction described, and best done a clear, dry day.

Walking Pointe de Tardevant

Visorando Member
Pointe de Tardevant
↔7.95 mi ↗+3,596 ft ↘-3,570 ft ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
A superb hike that begins in a valley in the Aravis mountain range and ends with a breathtaking finale and a 360° panorama of the Northern Alps.

Walking Tardevant circular via Grande Forclaz

Visorando Member
Tardevant en boucle par la Grande Forclaz
↔9.23 mi ↗+3,694 ft ↘-3,671 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
A superb walk that culminates at Tardevant, passing through two valleys with very contrasting landscapes. The most exceptional is the Grande Forclaz. The Tardevant valley is more classic. Caution: the passage between the two valleys is exposed and, although not particularly difficult, is reserved for experienced hikers. Avoid in bad weather or when the ground is wet.

Walking Oratory and Chalets de la Bombardellaz

Visorando Member
Oratoire et Chalets de la Bombardellaz
↔4.21 mi ↗+748 ft ↘-738 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
Discover the oratory and the Chalets de la Bombardellaz while enjoying views over the Bouchet valley.

Walking Mont Fleuri in the Aravis

Visorando Member
Le Mont Fleuri des Aravis
↔8.47 mi ↗+4,508 ft ↘-4,469 ft ◔7 hrs ▲Extremely difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
This is a circular that takes you off the beaten track. To escape the tourist crowds that flock to the valleys in the summer, take the route to a little-visited summit, which is as high as you could wish for and will take you along one of the most beautiful ridges in the area. The route requires sure-footedness, determination and a little bit of flair to enjoy it. Thishike is reserved for experienced hikers; see reviews.

Walking Les Confins

Visorando Member
Les Confins
↔3.43 mi ↗+630 ft ↘-630 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
This is a short, easy loop with beautiful views of Le Grand Bornand, Mont Lachat, the Combes des Aravis and the Balme and Fernuy slopes, as well as Lac des Confins on the way back. There is a possible variation to the Tête du Danay.

Walking Lac de Tardevant and the summit of L'Ambrevetta and Tardevant

Visorando Member
Lac de Tardevant and the summit of L'Ambrevetta and Tardevant
↔8.06 mi ↗+3,698 ft ↘-3,688 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
A great walk for the family. You can choose between going to the lake and back or going right up to the top. The latter is easier than it looks and is actually less steep than the ascent to the lake.You will be rewarded with magnificent views.

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