Girarde Trail

On the tranquil left bank of the Arc river, you proudly strike out on Chemin du Petit Bonheur. One of the top attractions of Haute Maurienne Vanoise, this trail makes for a pleasant excursion in all kinds of ways. Today, it takes you to the Muleney lakes where the Caribbean-blue waters are a source of eternal fascination for hikers.

And what's that cave you can see as you stop for a rest at the Balmes lookout point? A secret cave that once served as a sheepfold for our Neolithic ancestors. What was life like in those days? In the blink of an eye, you are transported thousands of years back to the "New Age" of the Stone Age, when livestock farming emerged in our mountains.

If you're lucky enough to explore this trail in spring, an extra treasure awaits you with each snowmelt. Enjoy the privilege of a visit to the Merderel waterfall, which dries up as soon as summer rears its head.