Tour of the Queyras: via the GR58 and GR541 in the French Alps

The Queyras is a rugged and unspoilt region of the French Alps, between the Durance Valley and the Italian border. Protected to the west by the Écrins, it is one of the sunniest areas in the Alps and the absence of glaciers makes the Queyras an ideal place for hiking, with several high mountain peaks accessible to the general hiker.

The route runs for the most part along the GR58 trail and about half of the GR541 from the Durance valley to the heart of the Queyras at Funfande. In total, the tour crosses 24 cols and offers optional ascents of 17 peaks, combining forest clearings with rocky hills at altitude, from alpine pastures to aerial summits.

The route is ideal for those new to alpine walking, while offering optional challenges for more experienced hikers.

Practical guide

When to go?

Mid-June to mid-October without specialised equipment for winter progress; huts particularly busy between 14 July and 15 August; warm and stable weather throughout the summer.

Not to be missed

Mont Viso, Pic de Rochebrune, Grand Glaiza, Le Pain de Sucre, Tête des Toillies, Le Grand Queyras, Bric Bouchet, Tête du Pelvas, Guil valley.

Cities & Services

Nice, Guillestre, Montdauphin, Turin, Abriès, Saint-Véran, Ceillac, Briançon.

The stages

The Tour has been divided into 12 stages, each lasting one day, and each stage ends at a convenient place where you can spend the night. Most of the day stages are not particularly long, allowing plenty of time to admire the magnificent scenery or attempt an additional summit or trail.

• Stage 1 Durance Valley to Furfande
• Stage 2 Furfande to Ceillac
• Stage 3 Ceillac to Saint-Véran
• Stage 4 Saint-Véran to Refuge Agnel
• Stage 5 Refuge Agnel to Refuge Viso through the Soustra Valley (Italy)
• Stage 6 Refugio Viso a La Monta through 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 a Abriès (high level route)
• /Alternative Stage 7/ : La Monta a 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 by 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 Durance Valley