Tour des aiguilles d'Arves - Around Pointe d'Emy

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Distance 56km
Altitude maximum 2891m
Altitude minimum n/c
Marche n/c
Dénivelé positif 3270m
Dénivelé négatif n/c
Commune de départ Albiez-le-Jeune

Description

Located in the Arves massif, the pointe d'Emy is a summit separating Albiez from Karellis and Valloire. This itinerary offers a wild, unspoilt setting for seasoned hikers in search of tranquillity and authenticity.

Departing from the Albiez-le-Jeune leisure area, your itinerary will take you to Albiez-Montrond, Col du Mollard to spend your first night at the Chalet d'la Croë, in the alpine pastures beneath the Aiguilles d'Arves. The following day you'll reach the Club Alpin des Aiguilles d'Arves refuge (Valloire commune) via the alpine and challenging Epaisseur passage. From the refuge, you'll take a balcony trail to the village of Albanne for a 3rd night. The following day, via the resort of Les Karellis, you'll climb the pass below the Mont Tissot cross to return to Albiez-le-Jeune. This tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

1/ Stage 1: Albiez-le-Jeune -> Chalet d'la Croë: 16.7 km / D+ 872 m / D- 165 m
From the village of Albiez-le-Jeune, head towards the Moine de Champlan. After admiring this geological curiosity, turn left towards Les Aiguilles to join the RD80 at the Croix de la Ducherie.
Turn right on the RD80 as far as Ravin du Claret, then take the track on the right towards Bonvillard.
Cross the hamlet and continue towards Albiez-Montrond. Get back on the RD80 at Des Combarres and follow it to Place Opinel. Continue towards the Rival forest to reach La Villette.
Cross the road and climb up to La Plaigne.
At La Frédière, go back down to Rieu Gilbert, then up through the Sur la Broue chalet. Rejoin the road, continue uphill, then turn left onto the path towards Les Chabottes.
At the signpost on the Torrent, turn right to go up the track. Take the left-hand track to Chalet d'la Croë.

2/ Stage 2: Chalet d'la Croë -> Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves: 9 km / D+ 910 m / D-738 m
Take the path south from the chalet to join the track at Bassin.
At La Motte, take the left-hand track, leaving a chalet on your right, cross the stream and follow the ridge to Plan Pradin.
At Plan Pradin, turn left towards the Passage de l'Épaisseur.
From the Passage de l'Épaisseur, descend to the Col, then back down to the Aiguilles d'Arves refuge via the Combe du Puy.

3/ Stage 3 Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves -> Albanne: 17.4 km / D+ 649 m / D- 1280 m :
Descend to Commandrault, then fork left towards the hamlet of Les Verneys.
Cross the hamlet to join the main road.
Cross the road and the Valloirette.
Follow the torrent on the right bank as far as the Valloirette footbridge.
Then climb up to the hamlet of Poingt Ravier.
Continue up the balcony path to Pain du Sucre, crossing the Villard stream (footbridge installed around June 10 and removed around September 15).
At La Turraz, head towards Gros Mélèze, then stay on the balcony path towards Albanne.
Cross the ruisseau des Moulins and continue downhill to Albanne.

4/ Stage 4: Albanne -> Albiez-le-Jeune: 13.3 km / D+ 825 m / D- 1087 m :
Follow the RD for 500 m to the Col d'Albanne
Continue towards Lac Pramol through hay meadows and mélézin.
From the lake, take the "sentier du Blanchon" theme trail to the Les Karellis ski resort.
Cross the resort to Le Suiffet. Climb the Porte Brune ridge in the 1st section through a shady spruce forest, then continue into the more mineral Combe de Messolard.
There is a "technical" passage (not very difficult) on a boulder equipped with a handrail (cable) and metal steps.
Below the Casse-Massion cross, fork right on the Lacha ridge to the Croix d'Albiez.
At the Mont Tissot signpost, fork left to descend to Albiez-le-Jeune via Les Roches.