Arith: Hiking at Etang du Mariet and Moulin Morand

Arith lies in the heart of the Parc naturel régional des Bauges. The town offers several starting points for planning your trip: hikes at Etang du Mariet, stages of the Tour des Bauges, and a visit to Moulin Morand. Consider whether you are mainly interested in the trails, the history of the landscape, or the oil mill, then choose the focus that best suits your stay.

Hiking at Etang du Mariet

A gentle hike at Etang du Mariet is possible in every season. The geological formation of the basin also makes it interesting: it is a limestone synclinal basin filled with glacial moraine material. A synclinal basin is a downward-curving fold in rock strata; moraine material comes from deposits left by a glacier. This means you can enjoy your visit not only as a walk, but also as an opportunity to learn about how the landscape was formed.

The described route to Etang du Mariet goes from the village of Arith through the hamlet of Montagny to the parking area at Gréson. This is distinct from the Lac et Alpage du Mariet hike, which starts and ends at the Montagny parking area in Arith. The two descriptions name different parking areas and serve different purposes for orientation. When choosing a specific hike, make sure you check which starting point applies to it.

Stages of the Tour des Bauges

The Tour des Bauges reaches Arith on the first day and runs from Arith to Bellecombe-en-Bauges on the second day. Arith is therefore named both as the destination of the first stage and the starting point of the next section. Stage 2 of the GRP® Tour des Bauges starts at the Gîte de la Fruitière d’Arith in Montagny, Arith. The route is marked with yellow-and-red GRP markings and directional signposts. These stage details and markings give you specific points of reference for understanding how the hike relates to Arith. Local access conditions may change; check them before setting out.

Moulin Morand: a water-powered oil mill

Moulin Morand is an authentic oil mill dating from 1896. Its hydraulic waterwheel is powered by the Nant de St François. A visit therefore focuses both on the historic mill building and on its specific driving mechanism. Visits are possible all year round, and oil can also be purchased there throughout the year. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip so you can plan your visit accordingly.

For a choice between outdoor activities and a cultural itinerary, Moulin Morand is a clearly defined destination in its own right: you can include it in your stay without confusing it with a section of a trail. Similarly, you can consider the hikes at Etang du Mariet and the stages of the Tour des Bauges separately, using their respective stated starting points and destinations. This lets you organize the local options around the theme that suits you best, without treating different route descriptions as if they were the same.

Grotte de Prérouge

At Grotte de Prérouge, it is important to distinguish between the entrance and the cave interior: only the entrance can be accessed independently. The interior is reserved for cavers with appropriate equipment. If you include the cave in your plans, keep this access restriction in mind; visiting the entrance is not the same as independently exploring the cave.

Discover more destinations: Albertville, Valezan, Montricher-Albanne, Saint-Alban-Leysse, Aiguebelette-Le-Lac, La Bâthie, Bellentre, La Ravoire

For the broader travel guide: Savoie.