Beaufortain, Val d'Arly
The Tyrol of the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc
This is a land of floral villages suspended on the mountainside, deep blue lakes, and lush alpine meadows where herds of tarine and abondance cows graze peacefully.
Wood and stone built chalets punctuate bright green pastures above the shores of deep-blue mountain lakes. This is the Beaufortain, an area where villages seem to cling to the steepest slopes and where lush alpine meadows provide perfect grazing for the cows that produce the milk used to make Beaufort, the "Prince of Gruyère cheeses". The Val d'Arly, with its pretty floral chalets, forms the link between Savoie and the Pays du Mont Blanc. Europe's highest mountain dominates the view from many of the area's summits.
Forest watershed nature trail
District: Cohennoz
Region: Val d'Arly
Road access and parking: When coming from Crest-Voland, head towards Cernix, and then to Les Panissats. Go through Les Panissats and park 150 metres further on, on the right, just after the bridge over the Nant Cortay stream. When coming from Cohennoz, park on the left 1 km after Cohennoz, just before the bridge over the Nant Cortay stream.
Total time, not including rest stops: 1hr 30min
Maps and guides: IGN Top 25 n° 3531 OT Megève (NB: path not shown on the map)
Start height: 980 m
Highest point: 1160 m
Height difference: 180 m
Type of itinerary: (circuit, round trip): circuit
Best season: from early June to late October
Description:
Follow the trail of the "wood snail" through the marvellous Nant Cortay. The burbling of a multitude of mountain streams fills the air as you follow the nature trail explaining the relation between water and the forests of the Arly watershed.
From the car park, go along the road towards Cernix and cross the stream. At the bend in the road, turn right to follow the path up the slope and through the forest. The descent starts next to some tables and chairs sculpted out of trees.
Les lacs de la Tempête
District: Arêches Beaufort
Region: Beaufortain
Road access and parking: From Arêches Beaufort, follow the D218 to the Lac de St Guérin. Park at the foot of the dam.
Total time, not including rest stops: 3hrs 30min
Maps: IGN Top 25 n° 3532 OT Massif du Beaufortain
Start height: 1559 m
Highest point: 2119 m
Height difference: outward leg: 560 m
Type of itinerary: (circuit, round trip): round trip
Best season: from spring to summer, when snow free
Description:
From the Lac de St Guérin, the Louze Valley takes you into a veritable haven of peace and tranquillity. Lying in the shadow of the Grand Mont, the Lacs de la Tempête are oases of blue amongst the greens and greys of the rock-strewn meadows.
From the car park, follow the path over the dam. Turn left off the "GRP Tour du Beaufortain" footpath to follow the variant on the GR along the Louze Valley to the Col de la Louze (2119 m). The path then descends to the Lacs de la Tempête, the Lac Vert and the Lac des Besaces.
Other territories to discover:
Around lakes Bourget and Aiguebelette
Book on line with our favourite British Tour Operators:
Peak Retreats the specialist of the French Alps in all seasons