Mont Saint-Jacques and Tête des l'Arpettes from Belle Plagne

The start is in Belle Plagne at the bus stop. You can reach this stop either by taking the bus from Bellecote to Belle Plagne (every 15 minutes) or by taking the S71 bus from Aime train station. Parking is available nearby.

(S/E) Take the road up to the Balcons de Belle Plagne. Turn left and take the wide path until you reach a large building on your left (restaurant in winter).

(1) Take a path on the left, then left again just before the Chalet de l'Arpette. Go up and, at a crossroads, turn right onto a less marked path and pass under a chairlift line.

(2) Shortly afterwards, join another path and follow it to the left (north). Then head north-west and you will reach a crossroads.

(3) Take the first path on the left. Ignore a few paths on the left and climb south-west to reach a paragliding launch site. Then turn right to reach the summit of Mont Saint-Jacques (cross decorated with a heart; view of the Tarentaise valley).

(4) Continue along the path that passes under a small building and follows the ridge to the northeast. After a slight right turn, you will come to the crossroads you passed earlier.

(3) Turn left and quickly reach the Col du Seuchet. Continue east, ignoring the paths on the right. Reach a bump on the path along the mountainside.

(5) Leave the path and climb up to the left, following a fairly visible trail that leads to a small memorial. The climb is difficult, but continue to the summit of the Tête des Arpettes.

(6) Descend on the other side and, after about 50 metres, take the first trail on the right. Descend steadily to the Col de l'Arpette (beautiful view of Mont Blanc; picnic table).

(7) Turn right and pass between the ski lift buildings. Turn right at the corner of the last building and follow a transparent "tube" that houses a small ski lift. At the end, you will reach an intersection.

(8) Continue on the wide main track, which soon turns south. Stay on this track and ignore all the turnoffs on the left. Take a hairpin turn to the right at a reservoir, then turn left to return to an intersection you passed at the start of the hike.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the track. Behind the Balcons de Belle Plagne building, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Picnic facilities are available at Col de l'Arpette.

Belle Plagne is a resort with many shops: restaurants, cafés, mini-market, etc.