Fenêtre Lakes Circular Trail

de fr

A beautiful circular route along the border between Italy and Switzerland. From the road on the Italian side of the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard, you will discover the Lacs du Ferret in the Swiss valley of La Fouly. You will enjoy panoramic views of the Orny, Saleinaz and A Neuve glaciers.

Details

n°26301897
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.19 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,939 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,936 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,917 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,736 ft
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Photos

Fenêtre Lakes
Fenêtre d'en Haut
Fenêtre de Ferret
Fenêtre Lakes

Description of the walk

The start and finish of this hike are on the SS27, approximately 1.2 km from the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard, on the Italian side. Car park opposite the Alpeggio lo Baou (cheese shop).

Trail marking: Sentiero n°13a

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road and head towards the Alpeggio lo Baou. You will soon come to trail no. 13a, which branches off to the right. Begin the ascent alongside a stream and, after a short flat section, reach a fork.

(1) Take path no. 13a on the right towards the Fenêtre de Ferret (2,698 m). This pass marks the border between Italy and Switzerland.

(2) Climb towards the first rocks in the direction of the Tête de Fenêtre to enjoy a remarkable view of the Col du Grand Saint Bernard.

(3) Return to the pass.

Red and white markings (Switzerland)

(2) Descend the entire Vallon de Ferret and walk alongside the first lake.

(4) Ignore the path on the right, which you will take on the descent, and continue to the end of the last Fenêtre lake.

(5) Retrace your steps to the junction.

(4) Take the path on the left towards Fenêtre d’en Haut or Col de Fonteinte (signposted Col du Grand Saint-Bernard). Gradually approach a third lake and follow the shoreline on your left. After the lake, the path veers off to the left. Begin a long climb up the scree slope. Keep a close eye on the red and white markings, as the route is not always obvious.

Markings: Sentiero no. 13 and 13b

(6) From La Fenêtre d’en Haut, begin the descent towards the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard. Shortly after crossing two streams, you will reach a junction.

Yellow markings, then off-trail

(7) Leave trail no. 13 and turn right onto a path marked in yellow. At around 2,450 m, leave the path and descend off-trail towards the SS27 road to reach a small car park. Cross the road and rejoin the Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard path. Follow this path below the road back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7,740 ft - Car park opposite Alpeggio lo Baou
  2. 1 : mi 0.35 - alt. 8,176 ft - Turn right onto trail 13a
  3. 2 : mi 0.87 - alt. 8,852 ft - Fenêtre de Ferret
  4. 3 : mi 0.96 - alt. 8,891 ft - Small promontory
  5. 4 : mi 1.86 - alt. 8,140 ft - Junction on the return route
  6. 5 : mi 2 - alt. 8,087 ft - End of Lac de Fenêtre
  7. 6 : mi 2.98 - alt. 8,907 ft - Fenêtre d'en Haut
  8. 7 : mi 3.75 - alt. 8,107 ft - Path on the left (yellow markings)
  9. S/E : mi 4.19 - alt. 7,740 ft - Car park opposite Alpeggio lo Baou

Notes

Hike completed by the author on 1 September 2022.

? Good walking boots.
? No water available along the entire route.

Worth a visit

  • Grand Saint-Bernard Pass.
  • Fenêtre Lakes.
  • Fenêtre de Ferret.
  • Fenêtre d'en Haut.
  • Mont Fourchon.
  • Pointe de Drône.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 14994888
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

When climbing back up to the upper window, the red and white markings (on the Swiss side) are indeed difficult to see, and the drop is quite steep over the last 400 metres.
Be careful on the final descent, which is much steeper than the descent from the Fenêtre de Ferret towards the lakes.

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YOKE
YOKE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went on this lovely hike on our way down from Mont Fourchon and absolutely loved these three stunning lakes, with the view from Col Ferret over to the Swiss side.

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SiobanS
SiobanS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike as a round trip, starting from the beginning and ending at point 5. This way, the climbs are easy, both on the way there and back. The views are magnificent. The section from points 1 to 4 was in full bloom.

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Marc Despierres
Marc Despierres
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly beautiful hike, culminating in the view of the Mont Blanc massif from the Lacs de Fenêtre. The ascent to the Fenêtre de Ferret is steady. On the return journey, the climb from point 4 to point 6 up to the Fenêtre d’en Haut is steeper and involves mainly crossing a large scree slope where the red and white markings are sometimes difficult to follow. The descent from Fenêtre de Ferret down to the lakes is magnificent and offers splendid views of the Mont Blanc massif. It is possible to extend the route from point 5 via the Col du Bastillon and the Pas des Chevaux to the Col du Grand St Bernard.

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