Tour de l'Arbaron

de fr

A very pleasant short hike with beautiful scenery and superb views of the Arve Valley and the Aravis mountain range (with a view of Pointe Percée). Suitable for children who can walk a little.

Technical sheet

n°12216439
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 246 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 247 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,921 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,781 m
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Photos

View of the Cluses valley
Les Aravis and Pointe Percée
view of the Aup de Veran and the Aujon viewpoint

Description of the walk

Departure from Col de la Pierre Carrée (car park).

(S/E) Descend towards Cluses along the D106, taking a path that runs parallel to it on the left-hand side.

(1) At the entrance to thefirst hairpin bend to the right, leave the road and take a path on the left (a sign indicates the marked Arbaron trail). After a few dozen metres, turn left (south-south-west) and continue downhill along the marked trail.

(2) Turn right (west) and climb back up. The marked trail climbs with a few switchbacks and heads southwest to pass at the foot of Pointe de l'Arbaron.

(3) Once you reach the west side of the peak, turn left towards Flaine and descend across the southern slope of the peak. At the crossroads (elevation 1814), turn left and pass a viewpoint.

(4) Enter Le Hameau. You will come to a small road (chapel on the right) and follow it to the left. At the end, follow the D106 to the left for about 100 metres. Take thefirst road on the right, after the bus stop, and descend towards Flaine.

(5) At the intersection, turn left towards Col de la Pierre Carrée. At the next intersection, take the hairpin turn to the left. This will take you to the pass (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,846 m - Car park - Col de Pierre Carrée (1844m)
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 1,827 m - Start of the Arbaron trail
  3. 2 : km 0.77 - alt. 1,792 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 2.47 - alt. 1,917 m - Fork in the road directly above the - Pointe de l'Arbaron
  5. 4 : km 3.55 - alt. 1,804 m - Le Hameau
  6. 5 : km 4.3 - alt. 1,788 m - Intersection
  7. S/E : km 4.82 - alt. 1,846 m - Car park - Col de la Pierre Carrée

Practical information

There are a few picnic tables along the route (at 1833 metres, for example, or Pointe de l'Arbaron) with superb views.
Please note that in some cases the IGN map is not completely up to date. The suggested route passes along the new sections of path that have recently been opened (at the start of the route).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Ulysse68
Ulysse68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike with stunning views

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User 27032756
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This hike is accessible to everyone as the trails are fairly wide and the route is easy to follow. There is little elevation gain, but there is a climb that offers panoramic views of Flaine and the surrounding area, with a few picnic tables at the top. It's a fairly short hike, perfect for starting your stay!

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User 27196346

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Short hike accessible to all. Beautiful views.

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souche.jeanlouis
souche.jeanlouis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An interesting route, allowing you to visit the resort of Flaine and explore the region.

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User 7575846

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk with superb views of the Aravis mountains, among other things. I recommend it for families

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Pmus
Pmus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful walk, but with some difficulties to bear in mind for people with reduced mobility or young children.
With a bit of luck, you may spot some ibex along the way, and the views of the valleys are magnificent!

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Benoit et Anne
Benoit et Anne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

At first, we had to search a little. The route offers beautiful scenery. It's pleasant in the forest at the beginning.

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Adu
Adu
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Made on a rainy day while waiting for my children who were caving.
Took 1 hour and 10 minutes (jogging a little).
Path covered in stones and grass, a little slippery due to the rain.
Poor visibility due to fog. So no opinion on the views.
Easy route, with longer climbs than descents.
It's still a nice walk, but I would have been disappointed to have travelled all the way from Balme just to do this hike. Worth doing if you're in the Flaine area

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Douillus74
Douillus74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Super easy hike to take beginners on, with superb panoramic views

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Lutxo64
Lutxo64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk, combining simplicity with beautiful views. Perfect for a couple of hours.

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nanouluc
nanouluc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

the directions to the small chapel are correct. Pass to the left of the chapel, descend to the right immediately afterwards and pass in front of the restaurant.
At the intersection, continue to follow the directions given.

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Sound
Sound

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Interesting walk, thanks for the suggestion. Slightly shorter than 2 hours. Even though generally easy, the north side of the route has some relatively steep ups and downs. If you have children, I suggest going the other way round. This gets the "hard" bit out of the way first.

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Chirk
Chirk

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely, easy hike with a beautiful view at the top.

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mfgb
mfgb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An interesting hike, yet relatively short

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