Where will you find this route?
Walker’s Haute Route (main trail)
Tour du Mont Blanc (alternative route)
Trail Description: From Le Peuty, the trail enters the forest on the east side of the valley and rises up to Chalet du Glacier, a small cafe located next to the Trient glacier run-off. From here the trail starts to climb up out of the trees so that a view of the Trient glacier becomes visible. The trail up to the Fenetre d’Arpette pass is steep and rocky at the top with some boulder scrambling required. The immediate descent is very steep and loose stones are easily dislodged so vigilance is required. A large boulder field then needs to be crossed which needs all fours at times to safely do so. Once clear, the trail wanders lower into the valley through an alpine meadow, past Relais d Arpette (a cute cafe and hotel), and alongside a network of streams leading most of the way to Champex Lac, a town situated on a beautiful alpine lake. This marks the point where the Walker’s Haute Route branches away from the Tour du Mont Blanc trail.
*Please note that the description is written from an
Eastward hiking perspective for the Walker’s Haute Route
Clockwise hiking perspective for the Tour du Mont Blanc
Difficulty: Mostly mountain trail with some short alpine and hiking trail sections.
Are there any other route options? Yes, there is one;
Alpe Bovine Trail diverts at either Trient, Le Peuty, or Col de Balme depending on the other route/accommodation choices and rejoins at Champex-Lac.
Transport Shortcuts: No.
Considerations:
Fenetre d’Arpette is steep at the top and dangerous when still covered with winter snow. In 2018 there was still a heavy covering of snow at the end of June which resulted in a number of accidents (including a fatality) due to ill-prepared hikers attempting to route. The local huts on either side receive daily reports from hikers checking and crossing these passes so ask them what the conditions are like when you are there. If there is still a snow cover at the pass, only take this route if you have the skills, experience and equipment to cross a steep mountain pass in these conditions. If there is no snow at the pass there may still be some in the boulder field on the Arpette side which creates a post-holing risk. Leave plenty of time to turnaround and take the Alp Bovine route if needed.