Higher and wilder than Lac Miroir, Lac Sainte-Anne sits at 2,415 metres beneath a cirque of rocky peaks. The trail from Ceillac is longer and more demanding — expect three hours or more of steady climbing — but the setting at the top is dramatic.
The lake has an unusual deep turquoise colour produced by the glacially-ground rock flour suspended in the water. It is surrounded by a moonscape of boulders and short alpine grass where marmots are commonly seen. An old stone chapel near the shore is the focal point for the annual pilgrim procession. The descent back to Ceillac through the Mélezet valley is a different and equally beautiful route.