Chalet Bleuet Holiday Rental Apartment, La Clusaz - Summer Mountain Walking in the Aravis Mountains

Along these various walks between the Tournette and Aravis mountains, you will discover the mountain range and its high valleys at your own pace. A national footpath going through less crowded country with varied landscape from flowering Alpine fields to huge rock faces with an abundant wildlife, ranging from the timid mountain deer to the proud Ibex or Alpine goat. The walk follows an 82km circuit. The departure and arrival point is at "Morette" on the way out of Thones (12km). This can be taken over 5-6 days (8 stages), with plentiful food and drink stops and (if required) refuges along the way. A description of each stage is detailed below:

Stage 1: Morette-refuge de Larrieux (Duration 4hrs: Height Change +1136m/-190m)

Walking Route: Follow the forest road. At the Lindon Alp chalet, follow the footpath signs for "Tournette Aravis". It crosses a series of clearings

in the alpine meadow nestling between the Dent du Cruet and L'Arete Couturier. At the Tervelles pass turn left at the sign for the Larrieux refuge.

Stage 2: Refuge de Larrieux - refuge de Prad'zeure (Duration 7hrs: Height Change +1600m/-1200m)

Walking Route: Go back up to the Tervelles ridge then as far as the Talamarche point. Go down to the lower Aulp Riant chalets. Cross the upper valley

and go to the Lancrenaz rock. Go down to the chalet then to the Nantets pass, then to the Tournette car park. Take the footpath again towards la Tournette. At the far end of the circuit the path goes over several rocky passages and leads on to another circuit. Take the left side, go along the grassy ridge and cross the rocky area. At the top, take the footpath which goes to the right, pass under the 'Armchair' cliff and cross the path to the Bajulaz passage.

Stage 3: Refuge d Prad'zeure - gite des Fontanettes (Duration 6hrs: Height Change +700m/-1050m)

Walking Route: Walk down the stony slope and onto a grassy bank as far as the stone on the left showing the way to the Praz d'Zeures lodge.

Go down into the Alpine meadow, go past the chalet and continue as far as the village of Montaubert. Follow the metal road until it meets a second road, cross and continue opposite as far the hamlet of la Bottiere, then turn right as far as the hamlet of la Combe. Going out of the village, turn left into the forest as far as the Bottaz pass. Go in the direction of Pezieres the Mouilles (follow signs). At the hamlet, turn left and leave going up the meadow towards the barn and rejoin the path. At the hamlet of d'Zeures take the path on the left which goes up through the meadow. At the farm, go up the access track then turn left as far as Fontanettes (Le Bouchet-Mont Charvin).

Stage 4: Gite des Fontanettes - gite Aux Quatre Vents (Duration 6hrs: Height Change +1000m/-1100m)

Walking Route: Walk up the Freu pass, go along the ridge to the Orsiere point and follow the direction

of Gutary-Comburce. Take a track to the Macheux chalet bend, taking a footpath on the right which you leave at the second bend, taking a footpath which goes down into the forest (please note that the sign is not easy to see). At the first junction, turn right. At the clearing, turn left then right. At the Balme chalet, follow the sign for 'Gutary'. Walk down into the forest, over the bridge and rejoin the road. Turn left then take the first right in the direction of Comburce. At the Comburce, turn left following the direction of Merdassier. At the 'Y' junction, turn left, left again at the path then follow a footpath on the right. Go thrugh the village and go down the road to the paths on the right. Follow the track on the left. At la Coverie, take the footpath which goes behind the chalet on the right. At Laquais, cross the D16 and take the direction leading to the Aravis road. At the next junction turn left. Walk down a little, cross a stream and the take the road to the Quatre Vents Lodge.

Stage 5: Gite aux Quatre Vents - Gramusset (Duration 6hrs: Height Change +1300m/-535m)

Walking Route: Walk back up the road. At the first bend, take the footpath on the left in the direction of Cret du Merle. At the road walk up to the Cret

du Merle and take the direction of Confins. At the confins car park, take the direction of la Bombardellaz. Continue as far as Planay, turn right, go past the chalet and follow the footpath which climbs up to the refuge in a series of hairpin bends.

Stage 6: Gramusset - refuge de Lessy (Duration 6hrs: Height Change +700m/-1050m)

Walking Route: Walk down the footpath to the sign and go left towards the Annes Pass. Walk along the ridge as far as the top, descend the pass and take

the path on the other side. It crosses the Alpine meadows on the right. At the pass, go down the Maroly valley keeping to the right. The footpath joins the road to la Colombiere which you then go up as far as the first small road which goes down the left towards the chalets Cuillery and joins another footpath. Follow the signs for 'Lac de Lessy'. At the pass, turn right in the direction of the Aiguille Verte. Walk along the ridge and go down along by the lake shore. Walk back up towards the hamlet and the refuge is on the right.

Stage 7: Refuge de Lessy - Chez Constance (Duration 5hrs: Height Change +760m/-1100m)

Walking Route: At the signs in the centre of the hamlet and turn right at the lake in the direction of the La Forclaz Pass and the Mayse chalets.

Keep right. At the village of La Ville go down the road to the crossroads. Turn right at the salmon coloured house. At the road go left as far as Plains. Cross the green bridge and take the path on the right. Follow the sign which shows a footpath going up into the forest on the left. Continue until you arrive at a road which you climb up a few metres. Take the footpath on the right after the bridge. Go up as far as the Clemenceau chalet to reach the Glieres plateau on the right. Chez Constance is after where the paths cross.

Stage 8: Chez Constance - Morette (Duration 4hrs: Height Change +100m/-900m)

Walking Route: Take the path again to the crossroads and take the direction of la Maison du Plateau. Go past the monument and stay on the GR96

as far as the Notre Dame des Neiges. Then follow the signs for the 'Necropole de Morette'. The track goes in front of the La Rosiere Alp chalet then goes down into the forest to Nant Debout. Leave the path for the one on right in the direction of Belvedere de la Fenetre. Head towards Morette. At the car park go down to the bridge to your point of departure.