The French Alps rank among the world’s greatest mountains. Some of the better hiking paths in this large area are often overlooked since there are so many options available. Our lead guide, Jean-Noel Gaidet, has put up a list of his top five hiking routes in the Tarentaise Valley to give you an idea of some of the paths you may enjoy while visiting Chalet Pelerin and Chalet Hibou.
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Best Hiking Trails in the French Alps
1. Haven of the Archeboc
Hiking the Refuge de l’Archeboc is a lovely and simple walk. Immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty and unique cultural flair of the region as you make your way through historical old stone chapels with slate roofs while taking in views of the distant Bec de l’Ane 3272M and Archeboc 3280M summits and local cows grazing in the flower-filled pastures nearby. After a quick drive to the French village of La Savonne, the trek begins.
This route continues to the hamlet of La Motte. After taking a break at the Archeboc hut, you will cross to the other side to arrive at Yaten Lake, a naturally occurring swimming hole where you may swim among orange salamanders, alpine newts, and dragonflies while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
2. Lac Verdet and Longet
Hiking the middle Lac Longet and Verdet trek offers surreal vistas of the French Alps. Starting from Ruitor Alpage, our exclusive outpost at Chalets Pelerin and Hibou is where the Lac Longet and Verdet trek takes place. Set on a former country route once used by farmers and their cattle, lies the Ruitor Alpage.
Your efforts on this beautiful climb will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mont-Pourri and Sache Mountains, as well as the Ruitor and Becca du Lac glaciers. You will eventually reach Lac Longuet and Lac Verdet at the base of the Dents Rouge, which are the ideal locations for a brief dip in a stunning alpine lake surrounded by the beautiful Alps peaks. To return to the beginning of the trailhead, find the path that goes down to the Ruitor plateau and make your way back to Chalet Pelerin and Chalet Hibou.
3. Le Monal / Lac du Clou
Hiking Lac du Clou / Le Monal provides a view of the Italian landscape, lush meadows, and delicious cheese and foods. You will go to the hamlet of Monal after arriving at the French village of Chenal.
Magnificent views of the Mont-Pourri glacier may be had from the towns of La Gurraz and Savinaz. Once you pass through a flower-filled field at the Combe, a little climb takes you to the center of Monal hamlet, which is well-known for its charming ancient wooden and stone chalets. We will go see Yvette here, who produces Persillé, a traditional goat cheese that Charles happened upon while traveling over the Alps.
After spending some time trying her delectable, freshly made cheeses, you will ascend 2200 meters through the forest to reach the magnificent alpine valley of Le Clou. Along the way, you will be treated to amazing vistas of the Pointe des Mines Glaciers and the ridge dividing France and Italy. You reach the Lac du Clou after climbing through the grass for another 200 meters. Here, you may pause to take in the surrounding peaks and the verdant meadows. You can even try your hand at fishing or have a dip before returning the same way you came.
4. The Red Beak 2515M
This trek follows a continuous trail through the Forest of Miroir, starting at Chalets Pelerin and Hibou and ending at the hamlet of La Falconnière. This easy trail takes you to the summit of the forest, the Plan du Bachal, where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Haute Tarentaise region. After that, you’ll follow the trail across the fields to the top of Bec Rouge, where you can take in expansive 360-degree views of Mont-Blanc and the surrounding area. There are several choices for the descent, all of which provide stunning views of the nearby mountains.
5. Bella-Combaz Lakes and Ruitor Waterfalls
Hiking the Lakes of Bella-Combaz/Ruitor Waterfalls is an amazing and challenging hike. Starting at the Ruitor Alpage, the journey takes you uphill and across a plateau until you arrive at the Lac du Petit. The trail is very steep. The final stretch of the route is rather steep as it climbs farther in the direction of the Col du Tachuy. You will be rewarded for your efforts with breathtaking views of the valley below, the Ruitor Glaciers, and the entire Mont-Blanc summit.
You will start your descent to the Bella-Combaz lakes, a collection of stunning Alpine lakes, as soon as you cross the French-Italian border. As you proceed downhill toward the Ruitor waterfalls, the trail will take you through several beautiful and diverse landscapes. After your climb, you’ll travel into Italy and savor a traditional Italian dinner in the sleepy town of La Thuile.
There are many great hiking trails in the Tarentaise Valley, and these are only five options. Are you ready to experience summertime in the French Alps
