Discover at one go the beautiful and secluded Clartan lake and traverse the Frettes summit above Montsapey. Visit the Lauzière range and stride the edge between Maurienne and Tarentaise. Montsapey has made considerable efforts to develop its paths, which are most of the time signposted, well-marked and very interesting. The way up to the Clartan lake is also the end (or the start) of the Balcons de Maurienne, the grand traverse from Modane to Montsapey. Long route, with 1500m of ascent, 4h. Easy going up to the lake. The Frettes traverse is not much more difficult, but pathless. Water can be found at the Venitier chalet.

Start

Montsapey, reached from Aiguebelle by a narrow winding road. After the village, turn right, drive through Le Coter and leave the car before a bridge over the Basmont stream.

Route

Cross the bridge and walk about 500m on the dirt track. Then turn sharply left on to a level, then steeper path. It crosses the trail several times before joining the Tour chalet (1434m, 1h). A very good path leads you behind the vegetated mound above the chalet and traverses upward to reach the Vénitier chalet (1800m, 2h), where you can find shelter and water. The granite range of La Lauzière slowly reveals itself. After a wide circle to the right, gain the upper plateau and finally the lake, which you will only see at the last moment.

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Traverse of Les Frettes (no path)

From the lake, go south and up towards a small col on the ridge descending from Les Frettes, right above the lake. The path is marked in blue and yellow (Balcon). At the col, leave the path to your right (it goes down to Montartier), and head for a depression between Pointe St Jacques and Les Frettes. Slowly leave the grass behind and walk on a chaos of boulders all the way up to the col. Once there, take a good path to the summit up its narrow south ridge (cairn, 2527m, 1h from the lake). The ridge that follows is wide and easy and provides very pleasant walking. The best descent can be found on the left after passing the Portes de Montmélian, down a gully full of big boulders (steepish, but easy). Take a succession of grassy slopes and more level sections to return to the lake or the path below the lake (numerous possibilities). Go down the same way.

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