8. GTM - Stage 08 : Refuge Laus Alexandri Foches - Sant'Anna di Vinadio

From the refuge, head downhill (north) towards San Bernolfo and, just before the Corborant valley, reach a track down below. The hamlet of San Bernolfo, perfectly visible on the left bank, can be visited via a short return journey (1 km); this is an essential place to help you appreciate the area’s authenticity. Come back via the same route and, at the junction, take the track which heads due east, and you will head over an initial valley via a footbridge.

Do not head down the Sauma valley to the right but instead continue the descent through a wooded area until you go over another footbridge just before the hamlet of Callieri. Head along a track, still on the right bank, between houses and the chapel, then go through a fine beech forest, the beech trees making way as you rise to spruces, firs and larches. The path allows you to head up the Tésina valley and the reach the vast flatter area of Capanna du Tesina (1948m) where you can see, nestled alongside a boulder, a renovated house with a characteristic green roof.

Continue uphill along the valley and you will find, on the left, at the intersection with the valley which comes down from Passo del Bue, a rudimentary footbridge. Go across it and head uphill alongside a characteristic flat rock. Keep the rock on your left-hand side until you reach a secondary summit which overlooks an area which is scattered with boulders (2153m). Head uphill afterwards to the nearby Passo de Tésina (2400m), before heading down the rapid descent, which does not hold any particular difficulties, towards the sanctuary, via a few pleasant hairpin bends surrounded by pastures until you reach Santa-Anna lake (2167m).