Arrondaz Plateau from Valfréjus

Park in the large car park near the tourist office.

(S/E) Walk along the Place des Bergers, keeping to the left-hand side of the square. Just before you reach the cable cars, take the metal steps on the left, join the road and cross it. A few metres further down, follow the sign on the right for “Arrondaz”.

(1) Shortly after entering the woods, leave the fairly wide track and take the path on the left towards Charmasson and the hamlet of Le Seuil. Continue through the woods, still climbing: there are mountain bike tracks here.

(2) When you reach the road, turn left and carry on.

(3) Ignore the bridge on the left spanning the Torrent du Grand Vallon and go straight on, passing right next to an old quarry. A few metres further on, you’ll come across signposts and a path that winds through the woodland to the Arrondaz plateau. Carry on to the cable car station (views of the Roc Rouge, the Maurienne, the Vanoise and Punta Bagna).

(4) To find your way back, follow the Pigniers ski run more or less, skirting the ski lift and then heading north.

(5) Look for the well-marked path which starts on the left near a copse of trees. You’ll emerge further down onto the ski run.

(6) Head down to the left for about 50 metres and, at the first snow cannon on the right, take the path into the forest. It is much easier and more pleasant than the ski run, which you’ll come across again. Continue down for just over 300 metres.

(7) Take another path – this time clearly signposted – on the left. Pass under the Arrondaz cable car and follow a few hairpin bends before emerging onto the Route du Seuil. Turn right and walk for about 50 metres.

(8) Take the path on the left.

(1) Continue to the left and follow the same route back to the car park (S/E).

The cable car operates on certain days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during summer 2023), so you can choose to take just the uphill journey or just the downhill journey.

From the plateau, you can continue on foot to Punta Bagna (a track suitable for vehicles). Allow a good two hours, but the view is exceptional! Mont Blanc, the Écrins, the Vanoise, Mont Thabor, etc. There are two orientation boards.

An easier option is to head to the Petit Vallon chairlift by taking the track that starts with an ascent behind the gondola lift’s arrival point: this also offers a lovely view (Belledonne, Vanoise, Mont Thabor). It takes about 30 minutes to walk there.

In summer, the Valfréjus Tourist Office organises a free ‘landscape interpretation’ activity from the Arrondaz plateau. Booking is essential.