Vallon d’Arpy

Col St-Charles – Lago d’Arpy – Lago Pietra Rossa (3h30)
A very easy path numbered 15 with mild slope leads through the forest up to Lago d’Arpy. In the last part before the lake you have a nice view on the waterfall (photo 1) which originates from the lake. Lago d’Arpy is a beautiful lake (photo 2) with several parts through which the path goes. A while after the lake, the path starts to deviate from the stream which comes from Lago Pietra Rossa. The path becomes steep and reaches a first flat area starting opposite of the water house on the other side of the valley. From here you have a nice view on two parallel waterfalls which come from a ridge (photo 3). Another steep part goes to the flat area on top of that ridge. This ascent happens with many stairways made of big stones. From the second flat area, a slightly less steep part goes op to the next ridge behind which Lago Pietra Rossa lies. According to the map, there should also be a via feratta numbered 19, but the signs completely overlap with route 15 all the way up to the lake. Also, I could not find any metal steps with my binoculars. Lago Pietra Rossa is a beautiful lake (photo 4). You have to walk a bit down to reach the water edge. From the ridge you also have beautiful views on Vallon d’Arpy (photo 5) and Mont Blanc.

Lago Pietra Rossa – Col de la Croix (3h00)
You walk back following the same route up the point opposite of the water house which lies at the end of the gravel road on the other side of the valley. Memorize the big rock in front of the little field at the water house as you will go there without a path. You can easily walk down to the stream which can be crossed by stepping over big rocks a bit to the left. From the other side of the stream, walk up to the rock that you remembered. This is only about 180m in total and is not difficult. From the water house you walk down following the gravel road. This descents very easily and allows panoramic views through the valley (photo 6). You meet up with path 17, quite close to Lago d’Arpy, which you follow towards Col de la Croix. The path splits and merges a few times, but generally heads into a single direction. From the pass you can enjoy views on the Mont Blanc and into the valley of La Thuille. The pass itself has ruins of old military buildings which are nice to have a look at. To the south, there are a few nearby (photo 7). To the north, following the ridge for about 800m, you can reach the top (photo 8) which is 100m higher than the pass. Along the entire 800m and on the top there are an impressive amount of bits of wall and ruin (photo 9).

Col de la Croix – Col St-Charles (1h45)
From the pass there is an easy path back to the start which again allows panoramic views within Vallon d’Arpy (photo 10). Follow path 16 which for the last bit meets up with path 15. After in total about 15.7km and 10 hours, also including 60min at Lago Pietra Rossa and 45min at Col de la Croix, you are again at Col St-Charles.