Tour of the lakes starting from the Sant'Anna di Vinadio Sanctuary

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Superb hike starting from the Santa Anna di Vinadio Sanctuary in Italy. This 4-hour Lakes circuit can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Be sure to read the warnings about snow and equipment to bring with you in the practical information section.

Details

n°2368989
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 597 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 607 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,465 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,017 m
  • ⚐ Country: Italy
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ District: Vinadio 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.231938° / E 7.105377°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3640ET
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Photos

Houseleek
Summit of LAUSFER
Lake Sant'Anna
Paso Tesina - Descent to Lake Sainte Anne and the Sanctuary

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the sanctuary. See the Practical Information section for details on how to get to the start of the hike.

(S/E) Descend towards the sanctuary, take the road uphill towards the Rocher de l'Apparition. Follow the paved path suitable for 4x4s. Shortly afterwards, you will reach the IT 342 signpost.

(1) Continue left towards "Giro dei Laghi / Colle di S. Anna". Follow the path suitable for 4x4 vehicles. At the first lake, "Lago di Colle de S. Anna 2156 m", leave the path that branches off to the left and head towards "Giro dei Laghi". Continue to follow the path until you reach the Col de Sainte-Anne.

(2) Continue straight ahead, following the track towards "Giro dei Laghi".
Continue towards Col du Lausfer (signposted FR 78). Along the way, there is a magnificent passage between two rocks, then a wooden footbridge on the mountainside.
Be careful here: this is a tricky passage for those who are afraid of heights.
Continue climbing towards the Col du Lausfer via a stony passage that may be snow-covered in June. Reach the pass at signpost 65a.

(3) Descend straight down to the Lacs Variclès below. The path branches off to the right to stay above the lake.

(4) After passing thesecond lake (Lac Variclès), descend to Lac Lausfer Supérieur.
Follow the lake on the left and begin the climb up the Col du Saboulé, reaching it at the boundary marker and marker FR 64.

(5) Take the path downhill to the right to pass in front of the building. Follow it, then take the path with caution:
This path on the mountainside is very snowy in June. See note in the Practical Information section. Reach the Paso Tesina pass.

(6) Turn right and follow the path downhill. Walk along Lago di Santa-Anna before reaching the junction with signpost IT 342.

(1) Turn left towards the Rocher de l'Apparition and head to the car park at the sanctuary (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,029 m - Sanctuary car park
  2. 1 : km 0.93 - alt. 2,105 m - IT marker 342
  3. 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 2,294 m - Col de Sainte Anne Beacon FR 78
  4. 3 : km 4.26 - alt. 2,422 m - Beacon 65a - Col du Lausfer
  5. 4 : km 4.71 - alt. 2,361 m - Lac du Lausfer Supérieur
  6. 5 : km 5.69 - alt. 2,451 m - Col du Saboulé - Beacon FR 64
  7. 6 : km 6.79 - alt. 2,387 m - IT Paso Tesina
  8. S/E : km 10.02 - alt. 2,019 m - Sanctuary car park

Notes

Hiking is possible from June to September.
If you leave at 10 a.m. at the latest (after enjoying a delicious cappuccino and a treat at the Snack du Sanctuaire), you can stop for lunch at Lake Lausfer Supérieur.
Please note: if you do the opening hike (mid-June, see the calendar on the website) until the first week of July, there are some snowy sections on the mountainside.
Be sure to bring a small shovel, trousers with gaiters and possibly crampons (if it is icy) as there are small crevasses, and do not hike alone.
(Between 5 and 6) This is the most difficult section because the path is not visible and if you find yourself between two rocks, you can sink up to your thighs and have great difficulty getting out (from personal experience). A shovel and assistance are essential.
Bring good walking shoes because there are many rocky sections.
To get to the sanctuary from France, go to Isola 2000, then take the Col de la Lombarde towards Italy. After a few kilometres, turn left towards the sanctuary.

Worth a visit

(2) Note that at the Col de Sainte Anne, you can see the road climbing towards Isola 2000 on the French side. The descending path leads down to Isola Village.
(3) Col du Lausfer: you can climb up to the Cime du Lausfer (2,547 m). Please note that this climb is difficult as it is very steep (take care at the summit). It takes about 20 minutes.
(4) Lac du Lausfer: This is the ideal place to stop for lunch. This peaceful, sheltered lake is sheltered from the wind.
(Between 5 and 6) Pass in front of the building where ibexes shelter at night.
When you arrive, you will enjoy quenching your thirst at the same snack bar, then visit this magnificent, unusual church (sloping floor, ex-votos).
Visit the sanctuary. It is a magnificent place of silence and contemplation.
The Sanctuary is open from mid-June to mid-September. It is a place of pilgrimage much loved by Italians.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Soso30320
Soso30320

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, easy hike. The scenery is magnificent! I highly recommend it!

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V4_pat
V4_pat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful and accessible hike with diverse landscapes, flora and fauna. We stopped for a snack at the lower Variclès lakes (less crowded), then climbed to the summit of Lausfer. The return trip along the balcony trail was magnificent. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.

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Pierre-Louis74
Pierre-Louis74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent, very accessible hike.

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af_512
af_512

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike, well-marked trail, perfect for my first solo hike.

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Bouquetin740
Bouquetin740

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent loop around the sanctuary. Walking is not easy on the stones that make up the old military road, but there are many paths that allow you to avoid them in part. A very mineral atmosphere and magnificent lakes to contemplate. It's a shame that the circuit is so short, but there are plenty of others in the region.

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Brigitte2674
Brigitte2674

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route

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bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike, but best avoided on Sundays as it gets very crowded.

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Violette C2.
Violette C2.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very beautiful hike that can be considered high mountain hiking

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Sophie 04
Sophie 04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike that takes you past a multitude of lakes. We encountered a few people on the hike. Best to do in October for the colours and tranquillity.

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jocanyoning
jocanyoning

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike in perfect weather! The "tour of the lakes" lives up to its name!
The only downside: dogs are allowed to run free on the Italian side, so goodbye marmots and chamois!

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LAURENTGRI
LAURENTGRI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, with the opportunity to swim in the lakes! Very easy! Done on a Sunday, so very crowded!

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike that allows you to admire numerous lakes and discover the fortifications on the border. A spectacular passage with a path carved into the cliff. As a result, it is very popular. Be sure to take a look at the dozens of ex-votos thanking Saint Anne for saving their lives after a road accident (paintings depicting the scene, photos of crashed cars, etc.). We came on the day of the annual pilgrimage, which was full of Italian atmosphere and tradition.

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michel 25
michel 25

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hello,
a magnificent hike, easy
choose a nice day and then... pure bliss!
thanks to whoever suggested this beautiful loop.

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rANDOMAN!"
rANDOMAN!"

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and very interesting hike with lots of lakes. You walk along ridges the whole way, but there are no dangers and the route is very safe. Follow the directions given by VisoRando to enjoy the most interesting parts of the trail.

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Alain-B
Alain-B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb, easy hike at altitude, with varied and panoramic landscapes. The lakes tour is perfectly marked on the ground and in both directions, so there is no risk of getting lost in good weather, even without a map (in stormy weather, it may be a different story...).
A lovely Italian counterpart to the Col de la Cayolle lake circuit in the neighbouring Mercantour National Park.
We parked in the car park above the sanctuary, which avoided a climb up the road and allowed us to complete the tour on foot in 4 hours in the recommended direction.
We saw an impressive number of lakes during this hike, I think more than 12 in total! We also saw marmots, as it was a weekday and not very busy.
There is a wide military trail with a steady slope (beautifully constructed) along almost the entire route, dotted with old barracks.
There is a striking and paradoxical contrast between this former military context and the piety advocated at the sanctuary...

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