The Punta di a Vacca Morta loop

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

You’ll need proper walking boots for this route, and it’s not recommended for inexperienced children. I don’t think it’s responsible to take children under the age of 8 on this route.

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Date of your route : Sep 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Parking is very easy at the refuge; the first part of the walk is quite busy. To enjoy the view from the summit, you’ll need clear skies. Be aware that at 1,310 metres, the temperature difference can be significant. The return journey from 1 to 4 requires no particular physical ability; however, the trail markings are problematic, as they are orange at the start and then yellow between 1 and 3 – you must follow the GPS carefully.

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Date of your route : Sep 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly busy route to and from the summit.
If you do the circular loop, the descent is more gradual, easier and less busy.
It really is a lovely walk, well worth doing even in hot weather as much of it is through woodland. The final ascent is over rocky ground but isn’t particularly difficult in trainers or walking boots. The view over Lake Ospédale is superb. On the way down, the shaded path is so pleasant that we extended our walk to the Col de Mêla at 1,100 m (nothing of particular note), returning to point 4 and following the path marked in white on the map, which takes a hairpin bend to rejoin the path marked in red. 7.47 for 342 m elevation gain.

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Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The walks started off really well with lovely views – absolutely magnificent!! It was just the end – the last kilometre back on the tarmac – that was a bit of a let-down. It’s a shame; we should have chosen a different route!! 😉

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Date of your route : Sep 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Use the Visio Rando route, otherwise it’s impossible!
At checkpoint 1, the orange arrows indicate a turn, but you need to carry on straight up.
Then the entire climb after that sign is unmarked

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Date of your route : Aug 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy route with a magnificent 360° view at the end. The GPS track is spot on. However, there are virtually no signposts.

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Date of your route : Aug 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, with a good portion through the forest and a stunning view from the summit. The walk is fairly busy, but nothing too bad; the only potential issue is the summit itself if visitors linger too long.

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In June, we didn’t come across a single soul! A lovely, shaded walk with no difficulty and a magnificent panoramic view – well worth doing

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Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It really is a lovely walk, well worth doing even in hot weather as much of it is through woodland. The final ascent takes you up over rocky terrain, but it’s not too difficult if you’re wearing trainers or walking boots. The view over Lake Ospédale is superb. On the way back down, the shaded path was so pleasant that we extended the walk by just over a kilometre (from point 3, follow the path marked in white on the map, which takes a hairpin bend to rejoin the path marked in red). 7.09 km with 348 m of elevation gain. Hike reference no. 102629678.

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Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In June, we didn’t come across a single soul! A lovely, shaded walk with no difficulties and a magnificent panoramic view – well worth a go

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Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In June, we didn’t see a soul! A lovely, shaded walk with no difficulty at all and a magnificent panoramic view – well worth doing

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Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk offering stunning views. However, it is not possible to reach the base of the waterfall as it is too dangerous (there is a ‘no entry’ sign). The waterfall can only be seen from a viewing platform higher up, from a distance that doesn’t really do justice to its beauty. A bit of a let-down on arrival.
We recommend wearing sturdy footwear!

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Date of your route : Jun 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There’s a lovely view once you reach the summit. In my opinion, the final stretch along the road is rather uninteresting. A lovely walk all the same.

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Not done

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with a magnificent 360° view from the summit. No particular difficulties. If in doubt about the route, follow the cairns. Follow the orange markings up to the turning point at the summit, then follow the yellow markings.

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