Mont des Acrays via the Passage de la Charmette

Head to Beaufort via the RD925 and follow signs for Arêches via the D218A. In Arêches, follow signs for the Saint-Guérin dam via the D218d and park in the car park above it.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn left onto the tarmac road leading up to the Cormet d’Arêches and continue until you reach a junction.

(1) With the return route straight ahead, turn left towards Les Acrays. Continue first along an ascending tarmac road until it ends, then follow the track due north, continuing in the same direction, to reach the Les Acrays chalets (signposted).

(2) Turn right onto the Passage de la Charmette path, which climbs steeply and leads directly onto the ridge.

(3) Turn right to follow the ridge, passing by the hay cable hut. After several ascents and descents, you’ll reach the Passage du Miraillet, “a small pass with a superb view; veer off to the left for about a hundred metres to enjoy the view of Lake Roselend and Mont Blanc”.

(4) Retrace your steps and follow the path to the left, heading down towards Arceni and Saint-Guérin. You’ll come to a track.

(5) Keep to the right and follow this track, pass the first hairpin bend and continue to the next one.

(6) Leave the track and take the path leading down (signposted) towards Lac de Saint-Guérin. You’ll reach the Route du Cormet d’Arêches.

(7) Follow the road, turning right, pass by the superb waterfall and carry on straight ahead to reach the car park (S/E).

No water along the route.