The Bellacomba Lakes

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent two-day hike with seven adults and three children (aged 18, 16 and 12). We camped at Lake Tachuy. We did the route in reverse to get a view of Mont Blanc. There were lots of beautiful lakes along the way.

You need to have access to a map as the route is not marked.

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Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike.
Being 25 years old and fairly athletic, we found this hike to be very difficult. It took us 9½ hours (including a 30-minute lunch break) instead of the 7¼ hours indicated, due to its difficulty but also because we took several wrong turns: we took the wrong path and had to turn back, and at another point, we had difficulty making progress through the bushes because the path was hidden, but just a few metres further on, the scenery was incredible, so we took lots of photo breaks!
Don't hesitate to follow the paths near the GPS track rather than following the track itself.
In any case, the scenery is sublime. Thank you for this hike!

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Date of your route : Jul 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you, Pierre, for this itinerary, which we completed on 30 July 2022. The whole group enjoyed it. A very beautiful (and very long) hike, with numerous lakes along the way. Best done in good weather to fully enjoy the magnificent scenery, but above all to be able to find your way. In fact, the first part of this route is reserved for mountaineers who know how to find their way. That's what makes it so appealing: scree and boulders, adventure, off the beaten track, straight towards the Col de la Louïe Blanche. (At the start, carried away by our enthusiasm and our discussions, we neglected the path behind the ruined sheepfolds and continued along the stream towards the Col du Retour. At an altitude of 2012 metres, then a little higher, a balcony path brought us back to the right route at crossing point no. 2). On the Italian side, from the casemate onwards, and for the rest of the route, there are paths. After leaving the second Bellacomba lake to reach the Col du Tachuy, ignore the schematic GPS/GPX track provided. Simply follow the path that goes around the hill (due south, then east); the climb is already tough enough. We were struck by the stark contrast between the Louïe Blanche and Petit slopes. On one side, there were very wild and mineral landscapes; on the other, there was much more vegetation and life. What's more, we didn't meet anyone on the first part of the route, before arriving at the long plateau of Ruitor and its buildings (houses, refuge, chapel). Everyone in our group agreed on the beauty of the scenery and the route we had chosen: navigating and descending the rocks below the Col de la Louïe Blanche seemed even more challenging. Finally, it should be noted that the road access itself is quite a change of scenery.

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Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike indeed, but the scree slope before the Col de l'Ouie Blanche is not easy to cross (no path and large rocks over a long distance). Otherwise, once on the Italian side, the path is better marked and it's pure bliss, with varied and very wild landscapes.

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Date of your route : Sep 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The start was a little complicated... after searching for about thirty minutes, we finally found the trail leading to the Col de la Louie Blanche, which is about 500 metres from the start. When you reach the flat area near the ruined sheepfold, turn right towards the east as if you were heading for the ridge line. You will come across the trail, which is about a hundred metres away. What follows is simply magnificent. Good luck crossing the Col de la Louis Blanche – you've done the hardest part.

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Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.

Indeed, with Visorando, we often venture off the beaten track, so there are no markings.

Visorando does not recommend signposting because it can be modified or erased, whereas information about the terrain is stable.

Visorando provides a detailed description (which can be improved) and a 1:25,000 IGN map. And, if markings are essential for you, Visorando provides virtual markings: a GPS application.

This tool, offered free of charge by Visorando, allows you to validate waypoints and thus remove any doubts about orientation.

See you soon!

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Date of your route : Aug 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

No signs, just one mark on a stone at the junction of the path leading up to the Col de la Louïe Blanche, and that's it...

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Challenging, physical, the most beautiful hike. Lots of boulders and beautiful scenery. As a bonus, we saw a bearded vulture. Be careful not to take the wrong route at the start.

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Date of your route : Jul 08, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A splendid hike that we did in reverse and often in the rain, unfortunately. We regularly lost the cairns on the Italian side as we climbed up to the Col de la Louie Blanche and then descended the valley, probably because of the numerous snowfields, but the direction remained logical. In any case, it was a hike with unforgettable scenery, to be repeated in good weather. Thank you for this itinerary

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Date of your route : Oct 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed this hike. The weather conditions couldn't have been better, and the landscapes were varied and very beautiful. There were no signs, just one mark on a rock at the junction of the path leading up to the Col de la Louïe Blanche and another at the Col du Tachuy, so we had to refer to the guidebook and map quite often, which gave us the impression of being in a mountain that was still somewhat untouched. A whole herd of chamois awaited us at the pass. For us, it was a superb day in the colours of autumn.
It is indeed possible to pass by the cowshed and take the path at the start of the hike from there, which avoids having to look for the trail behind the ruins, although if you go straight up, you can't go wrong...
We had some doubts when we left the second Bellacomba lake in the direction of the Tachuy pass, as the GPS route was off the trail, so we're still not sure we took the right one (straight ahead first, then flat towards Lac du Cyclope following the cairns, then turning left to climb towards the pass without actually passing Lac du Tachuy).
Thanks for this guide in any case, and thanks to Visorando, we've been using it ever since we discovered it!

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Super accurate,
Magnificent location with a 360-degree panorama throughout the hike.
Easily accessible car park at the start of the hike
Helpful advice and well-explained hike!
What a valuable resource this site is!

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Date of your route : Aug 08, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike, which isn't on the map, so we did it thanks to the Visirando guide.
A little advice for those following. Just before crossing the Col de la Louie Blanche, we encountered falling rocks (coming from very high up, so potentially dangerous). I therefore advise keeping to the left (when coming from France).

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Date of your route : Jul 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

superb hike, but it's quite easy to stray from the path (we strayed twice and had to do a bit of climbing to get back on track). The hike itself was fantastic, one of the best I've ever done!

thank you very much

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The route is indeed wild and poorly marked, which is part of its charm. However, with the guidebook and by looking at the map, it is easy to understand. On my old maps, the route is marked with an intermittent black line. Yes, it is best to know how to find the route in small sections, especially before reaching the Col de la Louie Blanche.
Perhaps you could clarify the start : either climb behind the ruins and up the slope until you find the well-marked path that comes from the cattle farm below (at an altitude of about 1,990 m), or a slightly longer but easier option, go to the cowshed below (start of the red-marked trail then "petit noir" on the left at 1934 m and stay on this small path. It's not a problem if you don't find the junction on the right at 1995 m. The path is very poorly marked. Simply continue until you reach the Louie Blanche torrent and follow it up the left bank. The rest of the route is very well explained.
Thanks to Pierrot for his guidebook. It is advisable to prepare for your outing with a map and, of course, to avoid being in the area on foggy days

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Given that everyone agrees that the description, trails and map are unreliable, I think I'm going to make a radical decision: I'm seriously considering removing this route as it regularly causes problems. Sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but I can't see how else to describe a wild and poorly marked route.

My reaction is certainly influenced by a recent controversy on the forum about a supposed lack of signage in French national parks (compared to American parks). I would really appreciate it if the person who started this controversy would try this hike to see for themselves what insufficient signage really means. (smiley with a wry smile missing)

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