Les Sources de l'Arve

With a group of senior hikers from the Arve Valley, we set off down the Arve River from its source at La Jonction, Geneva, to its confluence with the Rhône.
A short one-day circuit, ascending via the balconies and descending as close as possible to the river, the SM3A path.

Technical sheet

3978060
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 797 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 788 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,207 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,472 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: At the Tour station, go up to the Charamillon cable car and park on the left-hand side of the car park on the other side of the river.

(S/E) Head due West along the signposted Aiguillette des Posettes trail. After a chicane, in a meadow, join the forest. Continue uphill to the Chemin de Montroc junction, then turn right following the signs for Aiguillette des Posettes. Continue up a series of switchbacks and then a wider path through the forest, avoiding certain shortcuts, until you reach the crossroads with the Col des Montets path.

(1) Turn right and continue uphill. Cross the abandoned slate quarries to reach the high point of this climb at the crossroads of several trails.

(2) Continue slightly downhill, following the Chalets de la Balme signpost. Cross the Posettes ski lift. Continue until you reach the Col des Posettes.

(3) Take the path opposite, which climbs steeply along the pylons of the Plan des Reines ski lift. Before the summit, on a flat spot between two pylons, turn right onto the path that crosses over to the Balme refuge. Reach the source of the Arve.

(4) Continue on an almost level section before starting a short descent to the Col de Balme.

(5) Rejoin the Col de la Balme refuge.

(6) Go around it on a wide track and take the right-hand variant of the Tour du Mont-Blanc GR® via Montroc, marked in red and white. Follow the Col de la Balme ski lift downhill to the Charamillon and Autannes intermediate station.

(7) At this point, leave the GR® and turn right onto the wide, winding track that leads to the Charamillon gondola station. Turn right to reach the Tour car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,474 m - Tour car park
  2. 1 : km 1.69 - alt. 1,826 m - Chemin du col des Montets
  3. 2 : km 2.74 - alt. 2,044 m - Carrefour ardoisières
  4. 3 : km 4.22 - alt. 1,996 m - Col des Posettes (1997m)
  5. 4 : km 5.85 - alt. 2,198 m - Sources of - Arve (rivière) - Affluent de l'Arve
  6. 5 : km 6.13 - alt. 2,196 m - Col de Balme
  7. 6 : km 6.43 - alt. 2,205 m - Refuge du Col de Balme (2190m)
  8. 7 : km 8.54 - alt. 1,850 m - Charamillon intermediate station
  9. S/E : km 10.86 - alt. 1,476 m - Tour car park

Practical information

Start: At the Tour station, go up to the Charamillon cable car and park on the left-hand side of the car park on the other side of the river.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Mo Ska
Mo Ska

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike. Beautiful scenery, regular climbs accessible to all, well signposted. Several options for changing course if you wish (aiguillette des Posettes, back down to Vallorcine, etc.). A must!

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.