Sainte-Catherine combines the character of a mountain hamlet with distinctive wooden balconies, hiking trails and views of the peaks of the Ecrins. Facing south, the hamlet lies in the mountains and is the highest of Vars’s three mountain villages. The details of the village and its varied routes offer different starting points for planning your trip.
A mountain village with history and larch wood
Sainte-Catherine is considered Vars’s former granary. Traditional larch-wood balconies extend across the façades of the buildings, giving the hamlet a distinctive architectural feature. Here, history and construction go hand in hand: the village is defined not only by its location in the mountains, but also by its visible wooden balconies and its historical connection to Vars.
Those interested in architectural heritage will find a tangible starting point for appreciating Sainte-Catherine as a historic mountain hamlet. Describing it as the highest of Vars’s three mountain villages places it within this group, without the need to compare it with other destinations.
Hiking and snowshoeing in the Bois de la Pinée
The Bois de la Pinée lies above Sainte-Catherine. The area is suitable for hiking and snowshoeing and is considered a protected, wild environment with diverse wildlife and plant life. Two different activities are therefore at the heart of it: hiking and snowshoeing. The landscape is more than just a backdrop; the wildlife and plant life are explicitly part of the character of the forest.
The “Crêtes de Vars par la Pinée” hiking route starts at the school car park in Sainte-Catherine. From there, it follows a marked track towards the Bois de la Pinée and Col de la Scie. This gives you a sense of the route based on its starting point and stated direction. The “Lac des 9 couleurs et Mortice / Depuis les Couniets” hiking route also starts in Sainte-Catherine.
A hike to Château de Vars can also start in Sainte-Catherine. Check trail conditions before setting out. On a route to Mortice Sud, also take note of the final section: it is very steep and rated black in difficulty. This rating and the stated steepness are specific points to consider when choosing a route.
Mountain bike routes with different profiles
Two named routes are listed for mountain biking. “Farmers Track” is a mountain bike loop that starts at the sawmill in the upper part of Sainte-Catherine. It passes through open landscapes, forests and alpine wildlife habitats. “Under the Crest” is an all-mountain bike route that starts at the sawmill in Sainte-Catherine. The distinction between a loop and an all-mountain route helps differentiate the two options rather than treating them as the same ride.
Views of the mountain landscape
From Sainte-Catherine, you can enjoy views of the Crêtes de l’Eyssina and the Massif des Ecrins. Its peaks are over 4,000 metres high. Another landscape viewpoint is the rocky outcrop of Château de Vars: from there, a 360-degree panorama stretches from the Crêtes de Vars to the peaks of the Ecrins.
For planning purposes, you can easily distinguish between the main features: the Bois de la Pinée is known for hiking, snowshoeing and its diverse wildlife and plant life, while the named mountain bike routes have their own profiles. Add to this the larch-wood balconies and the village’s position as the highest of Vars’s three mountain villages. This gives you a sense of Sainte-Catherine as a destination based on its architecture, trails and mountain views before you look for a holiday rental for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Chorges, Buissard, Puy-Sanières, Saint-Julien-En-Beauchêne, Château-Ville-Vieille, Laragne-Montéglin, Névache, Le Glaizil.
For the full travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
