Route: La Chapelle d’Abondance to Chatel
Area: Chablais Alps, France
Date of walk: 19th August 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 11.3 miles
Ascent: 3,000 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, very hot
Having spent 2 nights at the superb Hotel Les Gentianettes we checked out to start the next stage of our journey in the Chablais Alps. As this would be a linear walk from La Chapelle d’Abondance to Chatel we were provided with picnics – which were so generous that we could only just squeeze them into our backpacks
After leaving the hotel we followed a road uphill, and then joined a grassy path across the meadows. There were numerous butterflies here and I spent some time, most of it wasted, trying to photograph these skittish creatures. We had to press on, as this was a long walk and we were already behind schedule. We continued to ascend through a mixture of woodland and meadow, eventually reaching Chalets de Resse (where there is only one chalet). Our route appeared to be barred by a large herd of cows but from previous experience we weren’t unduly worried and walked through the herd, horns and all, without incident
We climbed up to the Col de Resse, and the next section proved to be the scenic highlight of the walk as we followed a ridge which offered views of Mont Blanc in the far distance, mostly covered in cloud, and down to beautiful Lac d’Arvouin below. Near the top of the ridge we stopped for our picnic, only making small inroads into the huge offering, before starting the descent to the lake
We passed by the lakeshore and continued a long but easy descent towards our destination, following tracks and narrow paths through woodland and meadows, with occasional wonderful views of the surrounding Alps. Eventually Chatel came into view below and we made our way down into the bustling town to check in to our next port of call – the Hotel Macchi – where I broke the world speed record for downing a large glass of beer, having reached the end of this superlative lengthy walk in very hot weather
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The start of today's walk as we leave the excellent Les Gentianettes Hotel in La Chapelle d'Abondance to follow a high level route to Châtel further along the valley
Many of the chalets in La Chapelle are bedecked with geraniums...
We follow a road uphill out of the village, here looking back towards Mont de Grange...
We cross over a small bridge
The quiet road section continues uphill a little further...
...until we leave it to join a grassy track, initially in the direction of Les Cornettes de Bise
Looking back to Mont de Grange, where we'd been walking yesterday
The path enters into a forest
Another view of Mont de Grange through a gap in the trees, with La Chapelle below
We continue through the forest...
We emerge onto a lightly wooded meadow, here looking towards Les Cornettes de Bise...
...and now looking back to Mont de Grange
We were too late in the season for a peak display of Alpine flowers, but there were plenty around to attract the butterflies and moths...
We climb up through the meadow, 'Plan de Resse', in the direction of Pointe d'Arvouin ahead
Mont Chauffé to our left - we'd walked over the col to its right a couple of days ago
We arrive at Chalets de Resse (where there is only one chalet) and walk beside a lift used to transport milk from the farm
We walk through a herd of alpine cattle towards Pointe d'Arvouin, whose peak lies on the border between France and Switzerland
Looking back to Mont Chauffé and the Abondance valley
We continue to climb towards the Col de Resse on the right...
Another lovely retrospective view back along our route
Les Cornettes de Bise as we approach the col
Mont Chauffé
Le Linleu on the right, and Chalets d'Arvouin below
Our first glimpse of Lac d'Arvouin, one of the many scenic delights on this walk
Looking across to Mont Chauffé
We arrive at Tête d'Avalanche at 1,854 metres, just over 6,000 feet
From here we follow a path down to Lac d'Arvouin
The lake comes into view again
We head for the shoreline path on the far side...
We walk through another herd of alpine cattle at Chalets d'Arvouin. I normally give cows a wide berth but the alpine variety seem to be docile creatures
Les Guernes beyond the foot of the lake
We follow the lakeshore path
Looking back to the col
Beyond the lake we follow a path which contours around the mountainside, with Mont de Grange ahead in the shade...
Looking down into the Abondance Valley, with the distinctive pointed peak of Mont Chauffé on the right
We branch off here to take a narrow path through the woods...
The path emerges onto lightly wooded meadows as we aim for Col du Saix mid right of picture
Looking across to the Abondance Valley from Col du Saix
We follow a track down through the woods
Our destination, Châtel, comes into view below
We pass above a series of chalets...
Châtel below
We continue to descend into Châtel...
The end of a wonderful walk
