A "Coup de coeur" hike, approaching the border glaciers at the bottom of the Haute Maurienne valley. A spectacle that nature offers us and that we must show to our children today. Memories for life guaranteed.
The route starts from the picturesque hamlet of l'Ecot. After ascending the Arc, the path gradually enters the spectacular Reculaz gorge, overlooking the torrent.
At the end of the refreshing gorge, the path descends towards the waterfall and crosses the Roman bridge, as if suspended in the wild immensity. Streams meander through the grassy, steppe-like plains.
From here, the route, which is no longer marked, becomes increasingly wild. A sector where ibexes are very often present in the summer.
From scree slabs to rocky slabs, you progress in the heart of the Cirque des Evettes, under the gaze of the Albaron or the Grande Ciamarella, renowned glacial peaks.
But it is in front of the blue-green glacial lake of the Grand Méan 2876m, a little piece of Greenland or Patagonia, with small icebergs floating in the lake and an ice cliff that falls directly into the lake, that you will have the most emotions.
Sometimes you can hear strange noises emanating from this living glacier, from which a few blocks can break off in an impressive din that tears the usual silence of the place. One has the impression here that time stands still, that only the time of a wild nature with a slow and continuous evolution remains.
Plenitude, meditation, soothing and rejuvenation in paradise, where everything begins...
A wild area where ibexes are very often present in the summer period.
Also, to return to civilisation gently, treat yourself to a well-deserved gourmet stopover at the Evettes refuge on the way back.
Easy walk with children to the refuge, towards 2 fabulous glacial lakes. Marmots easy to see. Except guarding, the shelter has a permanent place permanently winter of 16 places.Avoid the Gorges de la Reculaz in wet weather, on the way down, with children under 12, or people who are not used to hiking, or anyone prone to vertigo.
The hamlet of Ecot, located 2000 m above sea level, classified site since 1971, represents a treasure of preserved mountain authenticity. With its old stones and slate roofs it is a cultural and architectural heritage completely preserved.Situated 4 km from Bonneval sur Arc, l'Ecot is accessible in the summer by a small road leading to a car park, a 15-minute walk from the hamlet. If you have already forgotten the car, you can also reach the hamlet from the village, in an hour's walk and contemplation, taking the delightful "sentier des Agneaux", walking through the pastures, and along the Arc canyon and its picturesque potholes spanned by the Pont de la Lama, a superb Roman vaulted bridge. L'Ecot is both the goal and the starting point of many walks for all levels (family, bucolic, hikers, mountain dwellers, ...). The mountain pasture paths will then lead you to the Carro or Evettes refuges, to fantastic glacial cirques, or to the pure and wild springs of the Arc... Here are other suggestions for walks and hikes via and towards the Ecot. Cupolas engraved on the rocks polished by the glaciers bear witness to the prehistoric imprint of the place. Piedmontese shepherds would have settled with their flocks around the 5th century, surviving the harsh and frugal conditions of the altitude. Inhabited all year round until 1960, then abandoned in winter, l'Ecot is once again the permanent home of several young Bonneval families. L'Ecot, represents a completely preserved cultural and architectural heritage which seduced Nicolas Vanier during his search for a filming site for his film Belle et Sébastien. Many people remember this television series from the 1960s retracing the extraordinary encounter between a mountain child and a wild dog. The hamlet of l'Ecot fitted exactly the scenario, the shooting took place in 2012, the film was released in 2013 and "made" 3 million admissions. Christian Duguy directed the sequel to this story entitled Belle et Sébastien, l'aventure continue in 2014. L'Ecot is obviously the main setting, the film was released in December 2015. Belle et Sébastien 3 was released in theatres in February 2018. This episode was also filmed in Bonneval and in the hamlet of L'Ecot. The hamlet of l'Ecot breathes the authenticity and simplicity with which you will be welcomed at Bonneval!
Summer service from Bonneval sur Arc to the hamlet of l'Ecot. 22-seater bus - no bikes or dogs allowed on the shuttle. Departure from the Pierre Fendue car park, opposite the chairlift, at the Route de l'Ecot barrier.
Communauté de communes Haute Maurienne Vanoise - 24/06/2024
www.cchautemaurienne.com
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0/ : Parking de l'Ecot , free of charge.
1/ : On the left bank of the Arc, take the direction of the Refuge des Evettes " par les gorges de la Reculaz ". The path runs along the Reclulaz stream and then the Pareis stream.
2/ : A succession of handrails takes you to the top of the gorges.
3/ : A little before arriving at the refuge, go down towards the waterfall and the Roman bridge.
4/ : Once you have crossed the Roman bridge, you will be on the Plan des Evettes.
At the post with the same name, head towards the Lac du Grand Méan.
From this point on, the route is no longer signposted.
5/ : The climb to the lake is through scree and rocky slabs.
6/ : Once at the lake, turn back on the same path and go back to the Roman bridge.
7/ : Take the direction of the Refuge des Evettes.
8/ : A short stop at the refuge at 2594m to admire the glacial cirque of the Evettes before going back down to the Ecot car park.
From 24/06 to 10/09.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
Phone : 04 79 05 99 06
Website : www.bonneval-sur-arc.com
Facebook : fr-fr.facebook.com/bonnevalsurarc/