sentier VTT : boucle des Ilettes

Tips

Leisure center of Ilettes fully equipped for a nice stop at the water's edge after this pleasant stroll.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Departure: St Martin car park
1. to the right of the car park, take the path which leads you to the Old Bridge of St Martin, dating from the 18th century and classified as a Historic Monument.
2. After crossing the bridge, take the Old Imperial Road on the left where you will pass in front of the Baroque church of St Martin which can be visited on request.
3. continue to the small bridge which spans the Reninge torrent after the St Martin high school.
4. after crossing this small bridge, take the path a little further down on your left
5. you will follow the right bank of the Arve to the Ilettes lakes: walk in the undergrowth along a flat path between lakes and river.
Be careful, many users also take this path to get to the lake, drive at a walking pace to share this path in complete safety!
6. you will have access to the lakes and the leisure center via the 2nd lake; you can take a relaxing break to discover them:
- the 1st, further to the right, peaceful with its central island sheltering rabbits and ducks, is intended for fishermen
- the 2nd for swimming or paddle boarding but also for eating on sunny days; a fitness trail can enhance the walk or a beach volleyball or ping-pong break (bring your own equipment); Picnic areas also at your disposal. For barbecues you must bring your own equipment and set up at a distance from the lake.
- the 3rd intended for walks and discovery of the environments with a botanical trail and educational panels which will allow you to discover its history and its riches, and its observatory at the end of the lake to observe the fauna in complete discretion.
7. The route then continues along the Arve, and will take you to a footbridge, then a path to the Luzier bridge.
8. You will then continue crossing the road, a path, always following the Arve, then emerging on the road to Oëx.
9. You will turn right onto the road and after a few meters you will be able to discover on the left the majestic Arpenaz Waterfall which falls from a height of 270 m; dominating the hamlet of Luzier, it is ranked third nationally and the first waterfall in the French Alps.
The site has been classified as a natural site since 1991.
Impressive in spring when the snow melts, you can cool off there in summer.
10. go back up to the car park, where you will find a path leading to the village of Luzier passing in front of the pretty little hamlet chapel (only open during guided tours)
12. Return either by following the Ancienne Impériale Route to the lakes then by the footpath to the starting car park or by joining the bottom of the Luzier road to join the same starting route with the possibility of following the other side of the lakes for a little change and join the pedibus path to the starting car park; or again by mixing the 2 and at the 2nd lake take the Arve path to avoid the road and rejoin the starting route.