Archeboc Circuit

de fr

A four-day loop with three nights in mountain huts, starting from the Chenal car park in Sainte-Foy Tarentaise, between France and Italy via the Archeboc, Chalet de l’Épée and Mario Bezzi mountain huts.

No technical difficulties on the route: the difficulty here depends solely on the distance and the elevation gain.

Very few people along the entire route (completed in mid-August). Beautiful, varied views every day.

Details

n°107391257
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 30.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 10,476 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 10,479 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,285 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,000 ft

Photos

Alpage des Balmes
Vue Col du Rocher Blanc côté français
Vallon du Grapillon et Col du Rocher Blanc tout au fond
Vue sur le refuge et glacier de Glairetta

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Du Chenal au Refuge de l’Archeboc

    From Le Chenal to the Refuge de l’Archeboc

    ↔8.69 mi ↗2,467 ft ↘1,388 ft
    First stage of the Tour de l’Archeboc. The route runs mainly through the forest with lovely views of Mont Pourri right from the start, leading to the Refuge de l’Archeboc.
    View the route
  2. 2
    Du Refuge de l'Archeboc au Refuge Chalet de l’Épée par le Col du Mont

    From the Refuge de l’Archeboc to the Refuge Chalet de l’Épée via the Col du Mont

    ↔8.32 mi ↗3,921 ft ↘2,805 ft
    The second stage of the Tour de l’Archeboc, which features the greatest elevation gain of the entire route. The day begins with a climb of around two hours to the Col du Mont, which offers a magnificent view of what lies ahead: a long descent on the Italian side to the bottom of the Valgrisenche, followed by a climb back up to the Refuge Chalet de l’Epée.
    View the route
  3. 3
    Du Refuge Chalet de l'Épée au Refuge Mario Bezzi

    From the Chalet de l’Épée mountain hut to the Mario Bezzi mountain hut

    ↔6.01 mi ↗2,044 ft ↘2,313 ft
    The third stage of the Tour de l’Archeboc, between France and Italy. A day offering panoramic views of several French and Italian glaciers. Shorter in distance and elevation gain than the other days of the tour, but with a few slightly more technical sections (scree slopes).
    View the route
  4. E
    Du Refuge Mario Bezzi au parking de Chenal par le Col du Rocher Blanc

    From the Mario Bezzi refuge to the Chenal car park via the Col du Rocher Blanc

    ↔7.92 mi ↗2,031 ft ↘3,937 ft
    The final day of the Tour de l’Archeboc features a long, beautiful climb to the Col du Rocher Blanc, followed by a descent on the French side back to our starting point at Chenal. Views of the Italian and then French glaciers throughout today’s route.
    View the route

Worth a visit

Le Monal – a very pretty hamlet

Magnificent views of several French and Italian glaciers

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking From Le Chenal to the Refuge de l’Archeboc

Visorando Member
Du Chenal au Refuge de l’Archeboc
↔8.69 mi ↗+2,467 ft ↘-1,388 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
First stage of the Tour de l’Archeboc. The route runs mainly through the forest with lovely views of Mont Pourri right from the start, leading to the Refuge de l’Archeboc.

Walking Le Monal via Chenal d'en bas

Visorando Member
Le Monal par Chenal d'en bas
↔3.12 mi ↗+758 ft ↘-758 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
Le Monal is one of the most beautiful examples of mountain pastures in the Tarentaise. Facing the Mont Pourri glaciers, this hike offers magnificent, colourful landscapes in every season.

Walking Chalets de la Davie, Nazonde and Nancruet via the Via Alpina

Visorando Member
Chalets de la Davie, Nazonde et Nancruet par la Via Alpina
↔7.30 mi ↗+1,877 ft ↘-1,870 ft ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
The Via Alpina offers a wealth of short walks; this one allows you to explore the small mountain hamlets, with the added bonus of a magnificent view of the Mont Pourri glaciers and the Dôme de la Sache.

Walking Chenal – Mario Bezzi Refuge

Visorando Member
Chenal - Riffugio Mario Bezzi
↔8.01 mi ↗+3,907 ft ↘-2,037 ft ◔7h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A steady climb taking you through La Combaz and the listed village of Le Monal with its small lakes, with a breathtaking view of Mont Pourri in the background; further up, you’ll cross the Vallon du Clou, which has been listed and protected since March 2013, to reach the Col du Rocher Blanc (2,830 m), and then descend to the Refuge de Mario Bezzi.

Walking Tour of the Alpes Grées

Visorando Member
Tour des Alpes Grées
↔55.38 mi ↗+20,118 ft ↘-18,793 ft ◔7 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
The Franco-Italian Alpes Grées mountain range lies in Savoie on the French side, and spans two valleys in Italy: the Aosta Valley and the Piedmont Valley. Much of the Grées Alps is covered by two national parks: the Vanoise and the Gran Paradiso. A truly alpine route where you’ll remain above 2,300 metres, with magnificent views of the glaciers, not to mention the sections through the Fontine and Beaufort mountain pastures.

Walking Lac du Clou and Lacs Verdet via Le Monal

Visorando Member
Lac du Clou et Lacs Verdet par le Monal
↔10.05 mi ↗+3,501 ft ↘-3,497 ft ◔7h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
In autumn, around the hamlet of Le Monal, the larch trees set the valley ablaze, whilst on the opposite slope the Mont Pourri glaciers glisten in the sun. Higher up, it’s the Balmes glaciers that steal the show.This hike to the lakes is a real feast for the eyes.

Walking Lac du Clou and Col de l'Aiguille

Visorando Member
Le Lac du Clou et le Col de l'Aiguille
↔7.15 mi ↗+2,703 ft ↘-2,703 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A magnificent circular if you don't have fog like we did.

Walking Pointe d’Ormelune and the Lakes Circular Route

Visorando Member
Pointe d'Ormelune et boucle des lacs
↔14.07 mi ↗+5,023 ft ↘-5,020 ft ◔12 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (Savoie)
A long and beautiful route in the Alpes Grées (the Haute Tarentaise border range) combining a walk through a listed village (Le Monal), an ascent of a listed valley (du Clou), a summit of the border range offering sweeping views of the French and Italian Alps, and finally a circular route allowing you to explore a fine variety of glacial lakes. Regarding the ‘Very Difficult’ rating for the route: see the ‘Practical Information’ section.This hike is reserved for fit and experienced hikers.

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