Vens Mountain Hut – Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée

de fr

The aim of this third stage is, of course, to return to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée. You’ll enjoy one last glimpse of the majestic scenery of the Vens Lakes, the Torrent de Vens, the waterfalls and also the Lac des Babarottes, which is a little more secluded. You’ll take the Chemin de l’Energie one last time – a very peaceful route overlooking the valley.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Route from Rabuons to Vens via Mont Ténibre

Details

n°1678907
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.56 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,302 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,341 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,245 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,734 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée
Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée
Lake Babarottes
Lake Babarottes

Description of the walk

(S) From the Vens mountain refuge, take the path heading north signposted “Collet de Tortisse, Col du Fer”, pass marker 25, and continue to the right until you reach marker 24.

(1) Leave the Col du Fer path on your right and turn left onto the balcony path until you reach marker 23.

(2) Descend to the left along a winding path to marker 22. Then turn south-east, reach the Vens lakes via the Pas des Pêcheurs and continue to marker 27.

(3) Turn right and walk alongside the lakes, passing the waterfall and marker 26. Then cross the footbridge over the Torrent de Vens and head up to the Lac des Babarottes.

(4) Walk along the lake, reach the Babarottes ridge, then descend via the Baussayer scree and head for marker 113.

(5) Turn right towards Claï Haute. Begin the long, steep descent, passing close to a hut at Clot de Nières, and arrive at Claï Haute (marker 114).

(6) Turn left and follow the almost flat, balcony-like path that crosses the Marie Lakes valley, one level below the Chemin de l’Energie. Descend via a few hairpin bends to the Fournels barns and marker 109.

(7) Take the path on the right towards Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, and continue the descent to the M2205 road after crossing the Ténibres torrent.

(8) Turn left onto Boulevard Issautier as far as the bridge over the Tinée, turn right onto Boulevard de la Digue and return to the car park at the first street on the right (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 7,772 ft - Vens Mountain Hut
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 7,815 ft - Marker 24
  3. 2 : mi 0.84 - alt. 7,877 ft - Marker 23
  4. 3 : mi 1.59 - alt. 7,582 ft - Marker 27
  5. 4 : mi 2.37 - alt. 7,917 ft - Lake Babarottes
  6. 5 : mi 3.25 - alt. 7,694 ft - Marker 113
  7. 6 : mi 4.31 - alt. 6,270 ft - Marker 114 Claï Haute
  8. 7 : mi 6.05 - alt. 5,741 ft - Granges Fournels Marker 109
  9. 8 : mi 7.38 - alt. 3,786 ft - M2205
  10. E : mi 7.56 - alt. 3,753 ft - Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée

Notes

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

Worth a visit

  • Vens Lakes.
  • Lake Babarottes.
  • Chemin de l’Energie.

Other walks in the area

Walking Refuge de Vens - Camp des Fourches

Visorando Member
Refuge de Vens - Camp des Fourches
↔7.34 mi ↗+2,090 ft ↘-2,441 ft ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
Thisthird and final stage of the Tour du Mont Aiga starts from the Refuge de Vens and crosses a balcony below the slopes of the Aiguilles de Tortisse to the north-east of the Lacs de Vens. After passing the Crête de la Côte and descending to the Maisons Forestières de Tortisse, you will walk along a balcony path beneath the slopes of the Tête des Mourres to reach the Morgon plateau and climb back up to Laussets and finally to the Lacs de Morgon. At the large Morgon lake, you will descend eastwards into Salso Moréno to rejoin the path of thefirst stage and Camp des Fourches. It is possible to see chamois early in the morning and, of course, marmots throughout the day.

Walking Vens Mountain Hut – Rabuons Mountain Hut

Visorando Member
↔8.38 mi ↗+2,677 ft ↘-2,188 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
A more challenging second day to explore the ‘Chemin de l’Énergie’ and its panoramic views of the Haute Tinée. Important: check with the refuge warden to see if the diversion via Lac Fer is still in place. This diversion requires a good level of fitness and/or a head for heights.

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

Visorando Member
Collet de Tortisse - Cime du Fer - Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée
↔9.23 mi ↗+1,955 ft ↘-6,621 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
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.

Walking Lower Claï from the Vens car park

Visorando Member
↔9.16 mi ↗+3,540 ft ↘-3,540 ft ◔7h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
A little-known viewpoint above the Lakes of Vens and Babarottes. A 360° panorama stretching from Mont Ténibre to Mont Mounier, as well as the Tête de l’Enchastraye and the Cime de Pal...

Walking Le Claï Supérieur via the Marie Lakes and back via the Vens valley

Visorando Member
Le Claï Supérieur par les Lacs Marie et retour par le vallon de Vens
↔15.11 mi ↗+5,781 ft ↘-5,761 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
A long, challenging circular route in the Vens area, taking you past no fewer than thirteen lakes – including the three Ténibre lakes, which can be seen from the Crête de Marie – as well as its highest point. A demanding route, partly off-trail with several very tricky sections best left to experienced walkers, particularly the descent of the Claï via its north face, which will require patience and concentration (see practical information). You are in the Mercantour National Park; there are regulations to be observed, and failure to do so may result in a fine of up to €1,500 – see the practical information.

Walking Circular Vens loop via the Vens torrent, return via Tortisse

Visorando Member
Boucle de Vens par le torrent de Vens, retour par Tortisse
↔12.11 mi ↗+3,898 ft ↘-3,875 ft ◔9h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
This is a variation on the traditional hikes to the magnificent lakes of Vens. Although the last section on tarmac between Le Pra and the car park at the start is not the most attractive, this circular route takes you through both the Vens and Tortisse valleys, with a more pleasant climb along the torrent and a breathtaking descent from the Col de Fer.

Walking Mont Ténibre via the Alfredo Talarico Refuge

Visorando Member
↔10.51 mi ↗+5,673 ft ↘-5,676 ft ◔9h 50 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Pietraporzio (Cuneo)
This route takes you on a circular hike up Mont Ténibre on the Italian side, starting from the Alfredo Talarico Refuge. The route passes by the Ervedo Zanotti Refuge and Lake Mongioie. The final 500 metres, between the Pas de Ténibre and the summit, are within the Mercantour National Park.

Walking The Lacs de Vens from Le Pra

Visorando Member
Les Lacs de Vens depuis Le Pra
↔9.74 mi ↗+3,481 ft ↘-3,478 ft ◔7h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée (Alpes-Maritimes)
A magnificent hike in the Haute-Tinée offering varied panoramas and one of the most beautiful series of lakes in the Mercantour! The climb from Le Pra is gradual and easy, with the Cime de la Bonnette behind you. You then pass under the strange Aiguilles de Tortisse before arriving at the Col du Fer (view of Mont Viso). After the Collet de Tortisse, you arrive at the arch, where you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the Lacs de Vens and the peaks of the Trou de l'Âne!

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.