Mont de l’Arpille

The trailhead starts at the Col de la Forclaz. From here, you will take the path that starts on the left, about 50 meters before the top of the pass, on the Martigny side. After about ten meters of climbing, it will be possible to see a descriptive panel of the hike. This initial stage passes through a dense forest, which will start you with some refreshing scenery at the beginning of the trail.

On the ascent, you will reach the Arpille mountain pasture, located at an altitude of about 1850 meters. The landscape gradually opens up around this point, where you’ll have beautiful views of the valley below.

Soon, you’ll reach Mont de l’Arpille, which is the highest point of the hike at 2085 meters above sea level. The last part of the ascent can be quite steep, especially if you take the eastern side, which is more exposed to the sun. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a 360° panorama of the Alps, including a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc range.

After the summit, you’ll descend via the Plan du Gy. This section has flatter terrain before the final descent. Finally, you’ll make your way back to the Col de la Forclaz. This part of the route is mainly in the forest, where you’ll have shade and coolness. Once back at the pass, you can take advantage of the existing facilities, such as the campsite or the hotel, to rest after the hike.

The ideal time to hike the Mont de l’Arpille trail is from May to November. This is when the weather conditions are more favorable, and you’ll have better visibility and milder temperatures. The route is technically still enjoyable in winter, however, it’s only passable for ski touring enthusiasts, which will make it a very different experience.

The Mont de l’Arpille trail is an accessible, 3-hour hike in the Martigny region. To prepare for the hike, you’ll need to pack appropriately and make sure you have the GPX downloaded to your device. Bring comfortable layers and shoes, as these will be your saving grace if the weather catches you while you’re hiking. You’ll also want to be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up.

To train for the Mont de l’Arpille trail, try taking daily hikes at home or incorporating an inclined treadmill or stairmaster into your gym routine. Working on balance and endurance will be very helpful in addition to strength training.

The Mont de l’Arpille trail is moderately difficult because some passages are vertiginous. Unfortunately, if you have vertigo, this is not the trail for you. It is also recommended to be in good physical condition. In some places, the path is sometimes not very marked, which requires special attention to the markings.

The difficulty is classified as T2 on the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club) scale. It is a trail with an uninterrupted route and steady climbs. The level of difficulty is moderate, but it is still recommended that you be well equipped, especially with good hiking boots and walking poles (if necessary).