Areches-Beaufort
Bivouac at the Combettes mountain pasture
Louise, Beaufortain Randonnee mountain guide, invites you to discover the Combettes mountain pasture, to meet the operators. And in compliance with the rules, in agreement with them, to set up camp there for a night in bivouac.
A wild hike, between forest path, alpine lawns and mountain lakes will take you to the mountain pasture where you will meet Chloé and Arnaud, farmers-goatherds who are passionate about their profession. Goat milking, cheese tasting made on site, conviviality and relaxation await you for these two days in the heart of Beaufortain.
Description day by day:
The route is a loop. On the first day, a forest path allows us to
reach the Alpage des Combettes, located at an altitude of 1630 m, where we meet Chloé and Arnaud. These farmer-goatherds share their profession and their passion with us and we can watch the goats being milked. We also meet other animals that give life to the pasture: cows, pigs, chickens, horses. We can taste the persillé des Combettes, cheese made on site. It's time to set up the bivouac. Setting up tents, preparing a Savoyard dinner. The next day, we follow a path that crosses very flowery high meadows, in order to reach Lake Brassa. Depending on your desires, it will be possible to continue the hike to discover other alpine lakes, or to descend contemplatively towards the valley.
D1: Meet at 14:45 p.m. at the Chornais car park (carpooling possible from Arêches or Beaufort). Ascent: 450 m. Distance: 3km
D2: Ascent: between 500 m and 850 m. Negative drop: between 850 and 1160m. Distance: between 5 and 8 km. The route will be adapted to the weather. Return around 16 p.m.
The + of this adventure:
- Learn about bivouac and the rules to follow to practice it
-Discover life in the mountain pastures, meet Chloé and Arnaud, passionate farmers
-Taste the persillé des Combettes, made on site. Purchase of cheese.
-Walk through wild trails and discover the anecdotes and history of Beaufortain
-Enjoy farm animals: goats, cows, pigs, chickens, horse
Equipment:
-For hiking:
Backpack (40-50 liters), water (1 liter min), walking shoes, poles (optional)
cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, shorts, pants, T-shirt (2),
fleece, windbreaker, down jacket, small gloves, hat, socks (2)
-For the night in bivouac:
Sleeping bag (comfort 0°C), toothbrush/toothpaste, toilet paper, small bag
individual trash can (2), lighter, cutlery, individual bowl, headlamp
For the possible purchase of cheese: cash
The weight of the bag must not exceed 8 kg. It will be necessary to provide additional space for the collective food which will be distributed at the start of the hike.
-Material lent:
Floor mats, tents, collective stoves and bowls, ecocups
Description day by day:
The route is a loop. On the first day, a forest path allows us to
reach the Alpage des Combettes, located at an altitude of 1630 m, where we meet Chloé and Arnaud. These farmer-goatherds share their profession and their passion with us and we can watch the goats being milked. We also meet other animals that give life to the pasture: cows, pigs, chickens, horses. We can taste the persillé des Combettes, cheese made on site. It's time to set up the bivouac. Setting up tents, preparing a Savoyard dinner. The next day, we follow a path that crosses very flowery high meadows, in order to reach Lake Brassa. Depending on your desires, it will be possible to continue the hike to discover other alpine lakes, or to descend contemplatively towards the valley.
D1: Meet at 14:45 p.m. at the Chornais car park (carpooling possible from Arêches or Beaufort). Ascent: 450 m. Distance: 3km
D2: Ascent: between 500 m and 850 m. Negative drop: between 850 and 1160m. Distance: between 5 and 8 km. The route will be adapted to the weather. Return around 16 p.m.
The + of this adventure:
- Learn about bivouac and the rules to follow to practice it
-Discover life in the mountain pastures, meet Chloé and Arnaud, passionate farmers
-Taste the persillé des Combettes, made on site. Purchase of cheese.
-Walk through wild trails and discover the anecdotes and history of Beaufortain
-Enjoy farm animals: goats, cows, pigs, chickens, horse
Equipment:
-For hiking:
Backpack (40-50 liters), water (1 liter min), walking shoes, poles (optional)
cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, shorts, pants, T-shirt (2),
fleece, windbreaker, down jacket, small gloves, hat, socks (2)
-For the night in bivouac:
Sleeping bag (comfort 0°C), toothbrush/toothpaste, toilet paper, small bag
individual trash can (2), lighter, cutlery, individual bowl, headlamp
For the possible purchase of cheese: cash
The weight of the bag must not exceed 8 kg. It will be necessary to provide additional space for the collective food which will be distributed at the start of the hike.
-Material lent:
Floor mats, tents, collective stoves and bowls, ecocups
