March 5, 2022

Hike to Grand Mont d'Arêches

Last summer, I went on a hike to Grand Mont, above the village of Arêches in the Beaufortain mountains. I had already been in the area, when I walked to Lacs de la Tempête which are located right below Grand Mont.

Here is a map of the path I walked:

In the morning, I took a Car Région bus (line Y51) to Albertville. I then boarded a summer shuttle (Ligne Nature) to Beaufort-sur-Doron, then switched to another one to Arêches. However, there is also a normal bus (Arlysère line 21) the rest of the year. At Arêches, I walked to the lower station of Télésiège du Grand Mont. The trail to Grand Mont started at the upper station. At first, it followed ski slopes (during winter). Around Col de la Forclaz, the trail proper started. It went through rocks and the trail was hard to see sometimes. At the summit, there was a great view even though it was quite foggy. I followed the same path on the way back until Col de la Forclaz, where I took the standard trail instead. After some time, I joined with the path I had taken in the morning and walked down to the upper station of Télésiège du Grand Mont. Once in Arêches, I visited the local church (Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste) while waiting for the bus back to Albertville.

▲ In Arêches.

▲ Légette du Grand Mont.

▲ On the Télésiège du Grand Mont.

▲ At the start of the trail.

▲ Col du Pré.

▲ Fireweed flower.

▲ Blueberry.

▲ Orientation table at the summit of Tête de Cuvy.

▲ Grand Mont in view.

▲ Still a long way to go…

▲ Towards Mont Coin in the fog.

▲ Along another chairlift.

▲ Roche Pastire.

▲ Here I passed through a cattle enclosure.

▲ I was walking in the middle of the grazing cows. Then I saw this, not grazing and looking at me. I wondered if it was a bull and hurried out of the enclosure anyway.