Lake Oriente and the Timozzu sheepfolds

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend taking the shuttle bus, which drops you off just before the first bridge.
To reach the other bank, go down to the left of the bridge to cross the river (provided there is not too much water, which was the case in mid-September) and then continue along what remains of the road. The same applies to the second bridge.

A wooden sign indicates the sheepfolds. The path is sometimes in poor condition in the forest, but it is easy to find. Just follow the stream bed.

Then there are several tracks, but you must follow the cairns. A detour to the right (uphill) allows you to see the waterfall at the outlet of the lake.
The cows roam freely but are peaceful.

A beautiful hike, challenging but well worth the effort.

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Hello,
We are planning to do this hike in early September. Do you have any details about the starting point, distance and duration?
Thank you in advance for your feedback.

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Hello,

Could you send me the GPS coordinates for the starting point of the hike? And let me know exactly where I should park…

Have a good day,

Massimu

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You’re welcome. Having spoken to the campsite managers, the road isn’t due to be repaired any time soon. The same goes for Lakes Mélo and Capello, but I’ve seen that the listing is up to date. You might want to mention that the route is much less busy and therefore more pleasant.

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Thank you for clarifying that.
I’ll make a note of them in the description
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: Since winter 2023, the bridges have been destroyed by flooding on the Restonica.
Allow for an extra 4 km from the campsite car park to reach the first bridge, plus a 300m climb. Allow an extra 45 minutes to 1 hour by road (which is closed to vehicles, so no worries).
During the season, you can sign up for a shuttle service that drops you off 300m from the first bridge.
To reach the other bank, head down to the left of the bridge, cross the river (provided there is not too much water) and climb back up on the left-hand side through the scree.
Crossing the second bridge is straightforward (also on the left-hand side).
After the woods, follow the cairns, which you’ll need to look out for from time to time, but it’s nothing complicated (as long as it’s going uphill, you’re heading in the right direction)
Round trip: 19.5 km with 1,300m of ascent and descent.

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Date of your route : Sep 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We’re starting to get the hang of it, and it takes us at least two days to recover from both the climb and the descent… but it’s definitely worth it!! A stunning lake and such a peaceful atmosphere – thank you, Visorando, for this hike, as we wouldn’t have thought of it otherwise…

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

First of all, thank you for this superb hike, which is very accessible right up to the magnificent Lac de l'Oriente – I reached it in under two hours. Several cairn-marked paths as you leave the forest require particular care to stay on the right route, especially in the sections between the alders. Feeling fit, I pushed on to the summit of Monte Rotondo, making it a 6 h round trip including breaks. The view from the summit was a bit of a blur. There are still some very large patches of snow, which I had to go round on the right. The various routes are marked with cairns, but again, you need to be careful; keep your eyes open and your footing steady amongst the boulders. Thanks, Lamy, for this breath of fresh air.

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Thanks for the details!

Yes, a little red Culombu, a sausage from François in Loreto, a bit of cheese, and then we’ll have a rest.

I’ll see if I attempt the full ascent one day.

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There is snow until June or July, depending on the weather.
In August, only a few patches of snow remain, particularly just below the summit couloir. The route is well marked with cairns. In fact, there are several ‘routes’ depending on which cairns you follow. The aim is to reach the foot of the couloir leading to the ridge. The final stretch is steep. When you reach the ridge (with a view of Lake Belebonne), head left to complete the ascent, pass the Helbronner shelter, and you’ll reach the summit. Most of the time, you won’t be bothered by many people and can enjoy the magnificent view (if the weather is good) of all the surrounding mountains and lakes.
It’s best to set off early, then head back down from the summit to have a bite to eat just above the lake, finding a spot in the shade. Buying some cheese from the sheepfolds rounds off the day. In the evening, you can leisurely enjoy your cheese with a good local wine, before getting a good night’s sleep – you’ll need it after all that effort.

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Thanks for the comment and for the water and cheese stop at the sheepfolds.

Regarding the climb up Monte Retondo, was there still a lot of snow? And in terms of signposting, are there cairns?

When I did it, the snow put me off.

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Date of your route : Jun 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with a magnificent view by the lake (it looks like a swimming pool with an overflow). If you’re feeling fit, you might as well carry on and climb up to Retondo, but you’ll need to add 4 hours for the round trip.
You can top up your water supplies and buy some excellent cheese at the Timozzu sheepfolds. There’s an old traditional maturing cellar with a tiny entrance that you can only get through lying flat on your stomach (check with the shepherd).
Enjoy the tasting.

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