Walking - Lake Castérino

Starting from the hamlet of Castérino, at an altitude of 1550m, this route, which is entirely on a track, leads you to the small Lake Castérino along the Casterine river. It is one of the gateways to the Vallée des Merveilles.

Crossing the alpine meadows reveals particularly abundant flora in the spring, including numerous orchids such as the elder-flowered orchid and the fly orchid. Along the river and at Lake Castérino, you might spot the white-throated dipper, a small passerine bird with a white breast. It is always found near water.

From the park chalet, reach and cross the footbridge over the Casterine river at the start of the cross-country ski trails. Go up the track for about a hundred metres to reach signpost 368.

Take the track on the right towards Baisse d’Ourne, which is closed by a wooden barrier; go around it on the right. Follow the path alongside some private properties bordered by meadows to signpost 366. Continue straight ahead; the track descends slightly, getting closer to the river.

At the junction of two tracks: - joëlette users should take the right-hand track, which descends to Lake Castérino - other hikers can take the one on the left, which climbs through an undergrowth of larches and pines before descending in switchbacks to Lake Castérino. At the lake, take the track that climbs gently back to the initial junction and turn left to rejoin the route you took on the way out.