Small pass of Tortisse – Cime du Fer – Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée

Before descending back to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, you climb to the Cime du Fer (2,700 m), which offers a superb 360° view, notably of the Tête de Moïse (3,104 m) and the magnificent Mont Viso (3,841 m).
Then we descend alongside the Tortisse torrent before heading back towards the Lacs de Vens and climbing up to the Lac des Babarottes.
We continue along a section of the Chemin de l’Énergie until we catch sight of Mont Ténibre.
We then finish with a long descent (-1,200 m) down to the village.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Lacs de Vens

Details

n°128721

Creation:
22 Jun 2015

Last update:
15 Feb 2023

Last review:
08 Aug 2020

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.23 mi
Average duration: 5h 55
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,955 ft
Descent: - 6,621 ft
Highest point: 8,816 ft
Lowest point: 3,743 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Mercantour
City: Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (06660)
Start: N 44.320934° / E 6.937224°
End: N 44.257959° / E 6.92495°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3540ET, 3639OT
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Photos

the Morgon lakes and the Aiguilles de Tortisse

Description of the walk

(1) Take the path heading north. Pass the small pass of Tortisse (marker 35a) heading north towards the Col du Fer (marker 35).

(2) Make a round trip to the Cime du Fer to enjoy the 360° panorama. To do this, follow the path that zigzags along the northern ridge, then climb straight up through the grass. The slope is steep but not difficult.
From the Col du Fer, follow the path down alongside the Tortisse torrent heading north-west to the Maisons Forestières of the same name (just past marker 34).

(3) From marker 34, begin the ascent towards the Lacs de Vens, heading south-east. After the pass on the Crête de la Côte, follow the ledge path to marker 23.

(4) Join the path below, heading south-east, to avoid descending back towards marker 22, and head south-west to marker 27.

(5) Continue south-west to marker 26.

(6) Cross the footbridge and climb up to the Crête des Babarottes via the lake, then descend through the Baussayer scree slope to marker 113.

(7) Continue in the same direction (south-east) to reach the Chemin de l’Énergie. A more or less wide, level path. Watch out for rockfalls! In June 2015, the path was closed between markers 112 and 110.

(8) At marker 112, head down towards Les Granges de Fournels (marker 109), heading south-west. A long, steep descent with hairpin bends.

(9) 600 metres further down, at marker 109, continue descending westwards to the village. Another 600 metres to go!

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 8,409 ft - Below the - Collet de Tortisse (2591m)
1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 8,458 ft - Col du Fer (2584m)
2 : mi 2.16 - alt. 7,352 ft - Tortisse Forest Houses
3 : mi 3.28 - alt. 7,894 ft - Cliff ledge above the Lacs de Vens
4 : mi 3.65 - alt. 7,579 ft - Middle Lake of Vens
5 : mi 3.91 - alt. 7,523 ft - Footbridge over the Lower Lake of Vens
6 : mi 5.13 - alt. 7,661 ft - Chaos de Baussayer
7 : mi 6.68 - alt. 7,631 ft - Chemin de l’Énergie
8 : mi 7.7 - alt. 5,735 ft - Granges de Fournels
E : mi 9.23 - alt. 3,743 ft - Near the confluence of the Tinée and - Ardon (rivière) Affluent de la Tinée

Notes

There is a water point at marker 34 next to the Tortisse Forest Houses (3).

Watch out for snowfields at the start of the season. We had to cross three: two near the Col de Fer, which were no problem, and one on the Chemin de l’Énergie, which was very steep!

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Coeur du Parc national du Mercantour - more information

Worth a visit

Plenty of chamois and marmots between the Aiguilles de Tortisse and the Cime du Fer.

Stunning views from the Cime du Fer. Looking north, clockwise: Tête de Moïse, Mont Viso, the Cimes and Lacs de Vens, the Aiguilles de Tortisse, the peaks of the Trou de l’Âne, Mont Pelat, and the Cime de la Bonnette.

View of Mont Ténibre and its torrent from the Chemin de l’Énergie near marker 112. (8)

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Aurelmouth

08 Aug 2020 at 21:14 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As we were tired from the climb the day before... we set off straight from the Vens Lakes towards the Chemin de l’Énergie. A very beautiful, flat path.
The descent towards Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée is long and gruelling… but we’ve got to get back down somehow!😉

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Mike_Antibes

20 Jul 2020 at 11:38 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Having set off from St Etienne de Tinée the day before, we did this circular route on the way back. A superb hike. The detour via the Cime du Fer is well worth it. We reached the Col du Fer directly via the ridges.
The route is very well signposted. Do bear in mind, however, the sign for the ‘Chemin de l’Énergie’: take the lower path, not the upper one.
The descent to Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée is steep, long and gruelling. Best avoided at midday in the height of summer: this section of the path offers little shelter from the sun.

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