Lac Sainte-Anne round trip from Chaurionde

A relatively short hike that is well suited to a family outing and may be suitable for children who are used to walking. The route follows good paths in a very beautiful setting. Lake Sainte-Anne is superb and, with the peaks dominating its western and southern shores, you can enjoy a beautiful high mountain atmosphere.

Details

59496674
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 479 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 477 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,411 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,964 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Fond de Chaurionde car park, located at the end of the D60 road that climbs up the Mélezet valley from Ceillac. Be sure to set off early in the morning as the car park fills up quickly in summer.

Signposts are present at major crossroads.

(S/E) At the bottom of the car park, take a footbridge over a stream. On the other side, at a fork, take the left-hand path towards Lac Sainte-Anne and Col du Tronchet. Follow this stony path and walk along the stream on your left.

(1) Cross the stream via a footbridge and follow a path that winds its way up through the forest. This will take you to a fork marked by a signpost.

(2) Turn right towards Lac Sainte-Anne. Climb then descend slightly into the forest, which is becoming lighter.

(3) Cross the stream again and turn right. Walk northwest on a slight downhill slope. The trail climbs again. A rocky section can be crossed without difficulty. Continue climbing on a moderate slope.

(4) Leave the forest and cross a grassy area, which is almost flat, with the peaks overlooking Lac Sainte-Anne (which is not yet visible) in your line of sight. Then climb up a path, leaving a track that runs almost parallel to the left.

(5) Cross the track and continue on the path opposite. After a few hairpin bends, you will reach Lake Sainte-Anne and its small chapel of the same name.

(6) Return via the same route in reverse. At the various signposts, follow the direction of Parking de Chaurionde (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,970 m - Car park - Passerelle du parking du Fond de Chaurionde
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 2,014 m - Footbridge
  3. 2 : km 0.94 - alt. 2,154 m - Signpost - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 1.26 - alt. 2,158 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 2.22 - alt. 2,239 m - Exit from the forest
  6. 5 : km 2.98 - alt. 2,365 m - Crossing the track
  7. 6 : km 3.22 - alt. 2,410 m - Lac Sainte-Anne
  8. S/E : km 6.44 - alt. 1,970 m - Car park - Passerelle du parking du Fond de Chaurionde

Notes

Hiking boots are useful, or failing that, good sports shoes. Bring protective equipment (sun, rain, cold) according to the weather forecast.

No water sources identified along the route.

Return route:
This alternative is mentioned but not marked as it is not particularly interesting apart from the opportunity to make a circular. I do not recommend this alternative with children for three reasons, each of which is sufficient on its own: 1 ) it follows steep, stony tracks; 2) at the end, there is a 150 m climb; 3) the whole thing may seem too long for them. From the lake (6), therefore:
- Head north-north-west towards Lac Miroir and follow theGR®5(red and white markings).
- Shortly after passing under a ski lift line, leave theGR® (which climbs slightly) and follow a track on the right that continues downhill to the "Les Preynasses" signpost.
- Then turn right, descend steeply, pass under a ski lift bridge and turn left.
- At the top station of the Girardin chairlift, turn left then right at the hairpin bend, continue down a steep stony track and pass under the chairlift line.
- At the signpost for "Aucras", in a hairpin bend to the left of the track, north of Crête de la Cube, turn right onto a path towards Chaurionde. Please note that shortly afterwards, a landslide makes the passage dangerous for a few dozen metres (situation as of August 2024). The path is not closed, but the stability of the scree, where earth, stones and tree trunks are intermingled, cannot be guaranteed. Then follow the pleasant, flat, shaded path.
- At the "Bois de la Cube" signpost, continue towards Chaurionde and climb uphill.
- At the signpost that appears shortly afterwards, continue straight ahead and uphill. Further on, walk along a fairly flat path and cross a large meadow (cattle in summer). At the end of the meadow, you will find the footbridge you took at the very beginning of the hike and the car park (S/E).

Hike completed by the author, with the return variant, on 6 August 2024.

Worth a visit

A pleasant walk, first through forest and then open terrain.

Lake Sainte-Anne and the peaks above it, where snow persists in summer, create a beautiful high-mountain atmosphere.

Chapelle Sainte-Anne chapel on the lake shore.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
FrancoisAnnie30
FrancoisAnnie30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike.

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Stephanie44
Stephanie44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike with incredible scenery. This lake takes a bit of effort to reach, as it's quite a climb overall, especially on the final stretch. Accessible to children who are used to walking. A very popular hike

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fredovyf
fredovyf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This lake is still as beautiful as ever. It's a shame that the tranquillity of the place is somewhat disturbed by a drone user. There was one last year too. I thought it was forbidden, wasn't it?

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Anna06
Anna06
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, moderate difficulty, spectacular scenery

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pb07
pb07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful, easy hike. Lots of people at Lake Sainte-Anne at midday, but not too many on the trails.
We came back down via the alternative route to pass by Lac Miroir.
The small forest trail marked on the IGN map west of the GR is very pleasant and leads directly to the lake, avoiding a lot of track.
Return via the horizontal trail (old canal) after the "Aucras" signpost. The reported scree is impressive, but many passages have begun to form a fairly stable trail, so there is no difficulty.

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Philippe34400
Philippe34400

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, the only downside being that the start is quite steep, but not insurmountable.

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Murielle30
Murielle30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
A big "Wow!" for this hike.
It's described as family-friendly, but be warned, it's quite a climb up to the lake. Children who are used to walking will be fine...
Honestly, for such a short distance, the view of the blue lake at the end is magnificent.
We climbed a little higher to put our shoes in the snow and were surprised to see marmots.
A very beautiful hike, short but beautiful.

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