The Queyras is a dramatic, unspoilt region of the French Alps, between the Durance Valley and the Italian border. Due to being sheltered to the west by the Écrins, it is one of the sunniest areas of the Alps and the absence of glaciers makes the Queyras ideal hillwalking country as it has several high mountain summits accessible to the ordinary walker and scrambler.
The walking Tour in this guidebook includes most of the standard GR58 trail and about half of the GR541 from the Durance valley into the heart of the Queyras at Funfande. Minor variations are taken occasionally where the route and scenery are preferable to the standard trail. There are various optional and alternative routes, all of which are described in this guidebook. In addition, the Tour includes a number of optional ascents of mountain summits that are passed on the way, but which are not part of any official GR route. In total, the
Tour crosses 24 cols and provides optional ascents of 17 peaks. The Tour has been divided into 12 stages, each a day long and each stage terminates at a convenient place where overnight accommodation is available. Most of the day stages are not especially long which allows plenty of time for admiring the magnificent scenery or attempting an additional summit or footpath.
There is plenty of variety on the trail, from woodland glades to rocky, high-level cols, from Alpine pastures to airy summits. The Tour includes two excursions into the Italian Alps, and there are opportunities to shorten or lengthen the route as time and conditions dictate. The route is ideal for those new to Alpine walking, while also providing optional challenges for the more experienced.
Activities Walking, trekking, backpacking Seasons Mid-June to mid-October without specialist winter walking equipment; refuges particularly busy between 14 July and 15 August; warm, settled weather all summer Centres Nice, Guillestre, Montdauphin, Turin, Abriès, Saint-Véran, Ceillac, Briançon Difficulty Several summits can be reached by the ordinary walker, without specialist equipment or skills; other (optional) ascents need more experience; basic route suitable for any fit hillwalker Must See Monte Viso, Pic de Rochebrune, Grand Glaiza, Le Pain de Sucre, Tête des Toillies, Le Grand Queyras, Bric Bouchet, Tête du Pelvas, the Guil valley.
Introduction
The French Alps The Queyras Walking in the French Alps Grandes Randonnées The Walking Tour of the Queyras, GR58 and GR541 Climate – When to Go Travelling to the Queyras Accommodation Food Water Equipment Maps Waymarking and Navigation Le Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras Wildlife Training Health Mountain Safety Emergencies Language Money/Banks/Telephone Insurance Public Holidays and Time in France Suggestions for Walking Holidays Notes on Using this Guidebook Distances, Altitudes and Timings
Stage 1 The Durance Valley to Furfande Stage 2 Furfande to Ceillac Stage 3 Ceillac to Saint-Véran Stage 4 Saint-Véran to Refuge Agnel Excursion from Refuge Agnel: Le Pain de Sucre, Lac Foréant and Lac Egourgéou Stage 5 Refuge Agnel to Refuge Viso via the Soustra Valley (Italy) Stage 6 Refuge Viso to La Monta via the Pellice Valley (Italy) Alternative to Stage 5 and Stage 6: Refuge Agnel to La Monta via Pic de Foréant and Lac Egourgéou Stage 7 La Monta to Abriès (high-level route) Alternative Stage 7: La Monta to Abriès via Ristolas (low-level route) Stage 8 Abriès to Les Fonts de Cervières via Lac du Grand Laus (GR58) Alternative Stage 8: Abriès to Les Fonts de Cervières via Col des Thures Stage 9 Les Fonts de Cervières to Souliers Stage 10 Souliers to Brunissard via the Lac de Souliers Stage 11 Brunissard to Furfande Stage 12 Furfande to the Durance Valley
Appendix 1 Gîtes d’étape and Refuges in the Region Appendix 2 Bibliography Appendix 3 Useful Addresses, Telephone Numbers and Websites
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