Septentrional, centrale and méridionale culminating at 3,514 meters above sea level, but also known as "Tête de Chat" or "Petit Jean", "Gros Jean" and "Jean Jean", these three emblematic mountains were conquered in 1893 by Valloire residents hunting chamois, and made famous by William Coolidge's ascents in 1873.
The Tour des Aiguilles d'Arves, a hiking itinerary between Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, takes you into a wilderness atmosphere, immersed far from everything, in a succession of high-altitude passes, panoramic ridges and flower-filled mountain pastures on whose slopes graze numerous herds of cattle, goats and sheep.
This interdepartmental itinerary, dedicated to the very best mountain hikers, combines history and trade, wars and peddlers, between the former State of Savoy and the Kingdom of France. Cross the border on these ancient paths steeped in history, on these slopes and crests!
Tips
It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance, as it has a small capacity.
It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance, given its small capacity.
Recommended equipment :
- Mountain boots suitable for walking on varied terrain (rigid soles)
- Rain gear
- Warm clothing
- Pair of telescopic poles
- Cash (CB terminals not always available in refuges)
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ DAY 1: Albiez-le-Jeune -> Chalet d'la Croë / Duration: 6h15 / Difference in altitude: + 878 m / -174 m / Distance: 14.8 km
2/ DAY 2: Chalet d'la Croë -> Chalet du Perron / Duration: 4h / Difference in altitude: + 536 m / - 463 m / Distance: 8.3 km
3/ DAY 3: Chalet du Perron -> Refuge du Pic du mas de la Grave / Time: 7h30 / Difference in altitude: + 1087 m / - 1290 m / Distance: 12.7 km
4/ DAY 4: Refuge du Pic du mas de la Grave -> Refuge du Goléon / Duration: 7h / Difference in altitude: + 1048 m / - 525 m / Distance: 15.2 km
5/ DAY 5: Refuge du Goléon -> Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves / Duration: 7h50 / Difference in altitude: + 993 m / - 1217m / Distance: 15.5 km
6/ DAY 6: Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves -> Albanne / Time: 7h45 / Difference in altitude: + 649 m/ -1279 m / Distance: 17.4 km
7/ DAY 7: Albanne -> Albiez-Le-Jeune / Duration: 6h40 / Difference in altitude: + 825 / - 1078/ Distance 13.2 km
Ouverture
From 20/06 to 20/09.
Subject to favorable weather.
Tarifs
Free access.
Contact et accès
Zone de loisirs des Léchères, 124 Route de Villargondran
Chef-lieu
73300 Albiez-le-Jeune
Savoie (73)
Balisage : Yellow paint, iron stakes for high-altitude alpine pastures, yellow Tour du pays des Aiguilles d'Arves plaques.
Passages délicats : Long stages with significant differences in altitude, itinerary sometimes off-piste, crossing of two alpine passes, presence of exposed passages: balcony passage over rocky bars, handrails, rocky ridges, possible presence of névés.
