Hiking - Le Col de la Lausa
An easy loop, almost entirely on excellent trails, ideal for the shoulder seasons thanks to the slopes' good sun exposure.
The narrow gorge of the Gorges de la Reine is quite charming. A visit is recommended in autumn—approaching with caution—once the accumulated snow has completely melted and the temperatures along the route are no longer scorching. Also noteworthy is the pleasant descent through the coniferous forest from Col de la Lausa.
From the Sant'Antonio church in Entracque (922 m), follow the "Les Gorges de la Reine" itinerary {->32} to the ruins of Tetti Stramondin (1228 m, 1h 35min from the Sant'Antonio church).
Descending on the opposite slope of this modest pass, you will almost immediately come to a fork: the path on the right goes towards Col de la Lausa, while continuing straight ahead on the descent leads back to Entracque, completing a shorter loop.
Following the path to Entracque, you descend into the Vallon de Costabella via a few switchbacks through a beautiful mixed broadleaf forest. After a long descending traverse, a couple of turns lead to a clearing. Here, ignore a junction on the left and keep to the right. A few meters downhill, there is a mule track that you follow to the left, alongside the Rio Costabella, until you return to the small stone bridge encountered on the way up.
Turn right, following the beautiful trail that slowly descends, contouring through the forest, crosses a small gully, and begins to climb again. After crossing a second gully, on more open terrain, a steeper climb with a few wide switchbacks leads to Col de la Lausa (1305 m, 30 min from Tetti Stramondin).
At the col, ignore the path on the right for Col de Costabella and keep left. The trail, very comfortable, descends via tight switchbacks through the dense forest of larches and firs. The switchbacks become wider, the trail crosses the bed of a small stream, turns south, and leaves the forest. It becomes a grassy mule track and runs behind the houses of Entracque.
After a final switchback, the mule track joins a dirt track, which you follow to the left. In a few meters, you reach a small paved road, Via Caduti in Guerra, which you follow downhill to Corso Francia. Here, turn left and walk back up to the Sant'Antonio church (922 m, 50 min from Col de la Lausa).