Sainte-Catherine: Balconies, Mountain Views and Trails

Sainte-Catherine is a south-facing hamlet in the mountains and the highest of Vars’s three mountain villages. It combines traditional architecture with views of distinctive mountain ranges and named routes for hiking, snowshoeing and mountain biking (VTT).

Village Character and Mountain Views

Traditional larchwood balconies extend across the façades of buildings in Sainte-Catherine. The hamlet is also known as the former granary of Vars. These two features highlight different aspects: the balconies speak to the traditional architecture, while the name “granary” reflects the historic role of the place. From Sainte-Catherine, you can see the Crêtes de l’Eyssina and the Massif des Ecrins, whose peaks rise above 4,000 metres.

Hiking and Snowshoeing

The Bois de la Pinée lies above Sainte-Catherine and is suitable for hiking and snowshoeing. It is considered a protected, wild environment with a diverse range of wildlife and plant life. The “Crêtes de Vars par la Pinée” route starts at the school car park in Sainte-Catherine. It follows a marked trail towards the Bois de la Pinée and Col de la Scie. This gives both the starting point and the directions the route takes as it progresses.

Another hiking route, “Lac des 9 couleurs et Mortice / Depuis les Couniets,” also starts in Sainte-Catherine. The starting-point details differ: the school car park is specified for the “Crêtes de Vars par la Pinée” route, while Sainte-Catherine is specified for the hike to Lac des 9 couleurs et Mortice. A hiking route to Château de Vars can also start here. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Mountain Biking Routes from Sainte-Catherine

“Farmers Track” is a mountain biking loop that starts at the sawmill in the upper part of Sainte-Catherine. It connects open landscapes, forests and alpine wildlife. “Under the Crest” is an all-mountain biking route that also starts at the sawmill in Sainte-Catherine. Their shared starting point makes the route types easy to compare: a loop on the one hand and an all-mountain route on the other. For Farmers Track, the landscapes mentioned are another specific feature of the route.

A Viewpoint near Château de Vars

Nearby, the rocky outcrop of Château de Vars offers a 360-degree panorama stretching from the Crêtes de Vars to the peaks of the Ecrins. This is a different perspective from the view of the Crêtes de l’Eyssina and the Massif des Ecrins from Sainte-Catherine. Together with the possible hiking route to the château, this offers another point to consider when planning: a tour’s starting point and its viewpoint are different aspects of the excursion.

Discover more destinations: La Freissinouse, Le Poët, Neffes, Saint-Michel-De-Chaillol, La Bâtie-Montsaléon, Saint-Crépin, Saint-Jacques-En-Valgodemard, Laragne-Montéglin.

For the main travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.