Col d'Anaye, Marmitou springs, starting from Sanchèse

An interesting discovery: the source of the Marmitou, calm and peaceful before it disappears underground. A lovely hike that also takes you to the Anaye border pass.

Details

3267886
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 995 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 992 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,037 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,085 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the Sanchèse plateau.

(S/E) Walk past the waterfall, keeping it on your left, and take the stony path. Reach the forest.

(1) Turn left to reach the left bank of the Anaye stream. Follow it until you reach the Anaye shelter hut.

(2) Cross the stream and continue the climb on the right bank. Reach a small plateau where you can see the old rain gauge, near the Sources de Marmitou.

(3) Then head towards the pass, which is in sight, following the cairns visible on the rocks; there is a short climb to reach the pass plateau.

(4) Begin crossing the scree. Be careful: the path is almost invisible on the final section, but once you can see the pass, it is impossible to go wrong.

(5) Return to the previous junction.

(4) Turn right to find the springs.

(3) Follow the route taken on the way out.

(2) Pass to the right of the Cayolars d'Anaye and rejoin the outward route further on to return to the car park on the Sanchèse plateau (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,085 m - Sanchèse plateau car park
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 1,109 m - Climb through the undergrowth along the rocky path
  3. 2 : km 2.18 - alt. 1,511 m - Cayolars d'Anaye
  4. 3 : km 4.37 - alt. 1,841 m - Marmitou Springs
  5. 4 : km 4.99 - alt. 1,963 m - Anaye Pass Plateau
  6. 5 : km 5.41 - alt. 2,036 m - Col d'Anaye
  7. S/E : km 10.77 - alt. 1,085 m - Sanchèse plateau car park

Notes

You’ll need a good pair of shoes to cross the scree.
Fill up with water at the Anaye huts.

Worth a visit

(2) Anaye huts: A short stop at the huts to sit on the bench and look carefully straight ahead between the Petit Billare and the Billare passes; a herd of chamois may be visible. There is also a water point.
(3) Before reaching the springs, take a detour to the old rain gauge. About a hundred metres to the left, you can hear the water trickling before it disappears underground into a hollow in the rock.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 25294697

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For context: beautiful weather, route completed in running shoes.
We set off from the magnificent Sanchese plateau. The start is steep and really gets your thighs burning, but it's definitely worth it.
During the ascent, we were alone in the world, then we passed people climbing as we descended. A magnificent hike.

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andreecontamine
andreecontamine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with a magnificent plateau. The climb after the waterfall is the most physically demanding part,
it's very rocky and there's a steep climb.
A must-do

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User 4844108

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike for walkers. The final climb up to the pass is a little steep.

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Emea
Emea

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to the springs. The climb gets you moving right from the start and levels off afterwards. Please note that in summer, you’ll need to park at the car park 2 km from the plateau.

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Gainsbard
Gainsbard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, with a great climb through the snow. But we had to stop halfway because of the strong wind. We’ll do it again. A lovely spot

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