duration
1 hour
difficulty
Very easy
distance
2.1 km
elevation gain
46m elevation gain
start
Tourist Information Centre
a brief digression on
freshness
in the heart of La Toussuire
Information about the route
A breath of fresh airjust a stone's throw from your home
Fancy a little break in the countryside without travelling far or getting too tired? This walk is just the thing for you! In just a few minutes, we leave the hustle and bustle of the resort behind and let ourselves be guided by the gentle murmur of the Edioulaz stream, before making our way gently through a larch forest. It’s the sort of outing you can fit in at any time of day, whether on your own, as a couple or with the children — and it always does you good.
The route
Start off at a leisurely pace from the Tourist Office: take the street opposite it, heading towards the car park and the tennis courts. Keep an eye out for the ‘Au Fil de l’Eau’ signposts, which will guide you all the way along the walk.
Very soon, the path takes you to the banks of the Edioulaz stream. Cross the stream, then let yourself be carried along by its course as it winds its way through the larch trees: this is the highlight of the walk, when you find yourself slowing down without realising it, lulled by the lapping of the water and the gentle shade of the trees.
The path then climbs gently back towards the starting point, passing behind the Résidence Panoramique and then the Chalet des Cîmes — and there you are, back at the Tourist Office, feeling a little lighter at heart!
Loop
The circular route takes you straight back to the starting point, so there’s no need to arrange transport back: ideal for a last-minute outing, with no logistical hassles.
Vertical rise
Thanks to its gentle gradient, “Au Fil de l’Eau” is a walk suitable for all ages. It’s ideal for those new to hiking or for a relaxing outing after a day of activities.
Weather
Allow an hour for the walk, but do allow extra time if you fancy a stroll along the water’s edge or want to enjoy the view of the Aiguilles d’Arves and Mont Charvin — that’s our advice!
Highlights of the walk
The Edioulaz Stream
Right from the start, the path follows the Edioulaz stream, the central feature of this walk. Its clear water accompanies you all along the route, providing a pleasant sense of freshness. The soothing sound of the water, the little bridges and the lush green banks create an atmosphere perfect for relaxation.
In summer, this natural setting is particularly popular for its coolness, making this walk an excellent choice when temperatures rise.
The little larch
The path then takes you through a charming larch grove – this small forest of larch trees that runs alongside the stream for much of the walk.
Take the time to watch the play of light through the branches, listen to the birdsong and breathe in the scents of the forest.
The light filters through differently depending on the season: light and gentle in spring, it becomes softer and more golden in autumn, when the needles take on their flamboyant colours.
A little-known secret:
The larch is the only conifer in our mountains to shed its needles in winter. It’s a feature well worth a look, whatever time of year you visit.
View of the Aiguilles d’Arves and Mont Charvin
As you emerge from the forest, the path climbs gently – one last short ascent before reaching the Résidence Panoramique. It’s nothing too difficult, but enough to get your heart rate up and make the rest of the walk all the more worthwhile: after the effort comes the reward!
The path then opens up to a lovely, unobstructed view of the Aiguilles d’Arves and Mont Charvin. Make the most of it by taking a short break before completing the loop: after this gentle climb, the panorama is all the more rewarding, and well worth a few minutes’ stop.
