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Discover the Queyras on a multi-day hiking holiday with this self-guided Tour du Queyras, travelling at your own pace through an unspoilt mountain region, offered by trekking agency Grand Angle, specialists in the Southern Alps.
Note: if you prefer to travel with a group and a guide, also take a look at ourguided Tour du Queyras_._
Set off on foot along an exceptional route: the self-guided Tour du Queyras, a 7-day hike through unspoilt valleys, hilltop villages and high mountain landscapes. This circular route introduces you to the natural wonders and cultural heritage of this mountain range on the edge of the Hautes-Alpes, following the most beautiful trails in the Queyras Regional Natural Park.
Starting from Ceillac, a charming mountain village, you follow a new trail over the first 2 days, taking in mountain lakes (Lac Sainte-Anne, Lac Miroir and the valley of lakes), iconic passes (Estronques, Noire, Agnel and Malrif), and distinctive villages such as Saint-Véran, Europe’s highest municipality, as well as the pastoral hamlet of Le Lombard. Each stage of the tour brings you to welcoming accommodation: a mountain hut, an inn or a farm stay, where the welcome matches the beauty of the scenery.
With flexible options and no guide, this self-guided holiday is designed for independent hikers keen to discover the Queyras at their own pace, with a carefully waymarked route and an optional luggage transfer service. Each day involves between 5 and 7 hours of walking, with manageable elevation changes that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the surroundings without rushing.
From Col Girardin to the gateway to Italy via Chianale, and from Pain de Sucre to Col Fromage via the alpine pastures of Malrif, this multi-day hike reveals the many sides of the Queyras, from high mountains to rural heritage.
An active yet contemplative holiday, giving you the chance to reconnect with the mountains with a light heart.
Hover or touch the profile to read the elevation. Keyboard: left and right arrows, Home and End. Escape clears the cursor.
Program
Arrive in Ceillac and settle into your accommodation. If you arrive before midday, you can enjoy a lovely hike to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Queyras, set in the rocky landscape of Font Sancte: Lac Sainte-Anne. You can also take the short optional detour to Col Girardin, on the boundary with the Ubaye valley. Pass the Sainte-Anne chapel, then descend to the idyllic, pine-fringed Lac Miroir, an inviting spot for a picnic and a well-earned nap.
AccommodationOvernight stay with breakfast for the dormitory option, and half board for the room option, in Ceillac
Ascend along the Cristillan, passing through the alpine hamlets of Le Villard and Thioure. Cross the Col des Estronques (2651m), a major meeting point between the Cristillan and Aigue Blanche valleys. This brings you into the “Upper Queyras”, which you will explore over the coming days, and to the famous village of Saint-Véran (2040m), standing proudly above the Aigue Blanche valley. Descend through alpine pastures to the Pont du Moulin, then climb towards Saint-Véran via the hamlet of Le Raux.
AccommodationOvernight stay with dinner and breakfast in Saint-Véran
A short 7km shuttle transfer takes you to the Chapel of Clausis in the Blanche valley, then a wide trail brings you to the mountain hut in just a few minutes. Follow a little-used route up the southern flank of the Tête des Toilies to reach the Col de la Noire, at an altitude of almost 3000m (though you start at 2400m!). A broad valley surrounded by high peaks opens up before you… you are in Haute Ubaye. As you descend, a myriad of lakes comes into view, creating an extraordinary atmosphere and inviting walkers to stop for a picnic beside one of them. From the pass, you cross into Italy… a long descent leads you between the lakes, under the curious gaze of numerous ibex, towards one of the most traditional villages in Val Varaita: Chianale. You will stay at an agriturismo, where your host, Brigitte, will give you a very warm welcome.
AccommodationOvernight stay with dinner and breakfast at an agriturismo
In the morning, a vehicle transfer (15 minutes) takes you from Chianale to the Col Agnel (2744m), a high border pass between the Queyras and Italy’s Piedmont region. You can climb the Pain de Sucre (3200m, optional), cross the Col Vieux (2850m), then descend through the unmissable valley of Lakes Foréant and Egourgéou (recently designated a nature reserve). From the gateway to the high mountains to the hay meadows of the Haut Guil valley (1700m), you can admire extraordinary, unspoilt scenery. Take a scheduled shuttle to Abriès (10 minutes).
AccommodationOvernight stay with dinner and breakfast in Abriès
A gentle, steady climb takes you towards the old village of Malrif, then up to the Bertins sheepfold, the starting point of the famous Malrif ascent. At the top, your reward is the sight of Lake Grand Laus (2550m), nestled beneath the Pic du Malrif, with magnificent panoramic views of the Viso and the mountain ranges along the Queyras border. There is an optional detour to the Pic du Malrif (2900m) and the other twin lakes. Descend to Aiguilles via the pastoral hamlet of Le Lombard. Take a scheduled shuttle to Ville Vieille if you are not staying in Aiguilles.
AccommodationOvernight stay with half board in Ville Vieille.
Transfer to Ville Vieille by scheduled shuttle if you stayed in Aiguilles the previous night. Walk along the Guil to Château Queyras, then climb through a larch forest to the Col Fromage (2300m) on the famous GR5 (Grande Traversée des Alpes). You can continue up to the former optical signalling station, then descend to the lively village of Ceillac (1640m).
AccommodationOvernight stay with breakfast for the dormitory option, or half board for the room option, in Ceillac
The trip ends after breakfast. If you did not have time to do the Day 1 walk, you can take this opportunity to do it before leaving the Queyras.
We may need to change the itinerary shown, either for operational reasons (accommodation capacity issues, changes in terrain conditions, rockfalls, damaged trails, etc.) or directly because of the weather. These changes are always made in your interests, for your safety and greater comfort!
Half-board accommodation (except dinner on Days 1 and 6 for the dormitory option)
luggage transfers according to the option selected
the local transfers included in the itinerary (during the season, between 5 July and 25 August, using the free Escartons shuttle; outside the season, using the private Grand Angle shuttle).
the travel information pack
Price excludes
personal drinks
transfers not included in the itinerary
dinner on Days 1 and 6 for the dormitory option
site visits
insurance
booking fees
anything not listed under “Prices include”
Options & supplements
extra night in a dormitory with B&B in Ceillac: 75€ /person
extra night in a room for 2 with half board in Ceillac: 115€/person
picnic lunches (6 days; bring your own for the first day): 95 € / person
Dinner supplement in Ceillac for the hotel option: 35€
Your advisor
Estelle Torterotot
Travel Advisor
Write
Technical and practical information
Level 3 / 5
Hikes involving 6 to 7 hours of walking. Elevation gain of 600 to 1200m and elevation loss of 500 to 1250m. Walking on well-defined trails for most of the route, with occasional rougher sections or rockier terrain.
No main luggage to carry: you carry only a small backpack with your picnic lunch and what you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting for you at each overnight stop. Your transferred luggage must be a soft-sided travel bag or sports bag (suitcases are not allowed) and remain a reasonable weight (8 to a maximum of 12kg, depending on the route).
Available for groups of 2 people or more.
7 days, 6 nights, 5 or 6 days of walking
Start on a date of your choice from June to the end of September.
Self-guided trip, without a guide; we send you your travel information pack shortly before departure: maps at a scale of 1/25000, a detailed route guide and hotel vouchers. You can also collect your pack on arrival at the first hotel.
Accommodation
Room option: hotels and guesthouses (private bathrooms, bed linen and towels provided). Bookings are only available in rooms for 2. Single rooms are not available.
Dormitory option: dormitory accommodation in walkers' lodges.
Hotel ratings
In France, increasing numbers of hotels and guesthouses choose not to have an official rating, including establishments that still had a rating a year or two ago. This does not mean their quality has declined—far from it. Many guesthouses offer charming rooms.
Meals
Room option: 6 nights with half board
Dormitory option: 4 nights with half board and 2 nights on a B&B basis (bed and breakfast on Days 1 and 6). There are many restaurants in Ceillac for your evening meals.
Dinner and breakfast are prepared by your hosts. Picnic lunches are not included; you can order them from your accommodation providers or buy supplies in village shops.
Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.
Start
On Day 1 in Ceillac in the late morning, or later in the day if you skip the Day 1 hike.
Travelling from the north: daily connections by sleeper train or by TGV and TER trains:
Night train: Paris (Gare d’Austerlitz) / Montdauphin - Guillestre line
Day train: Paris–Valence or Paris–Grenoble line, then connecting trains to Montdauphin-Guillestre (on the line towards Briançon). Please avoid suggested routes via Aix-en-Provence or Marseille, as these take much longer.
Day train: Paris – Turin TGV line. Get off at Oulx
Travelling from the south: Marseille–Briançon line
From the station to the meeting point In high season, a regular bus service runs several times a day from the station to the Queyras. In low season, please be aware that shuttle services are less frequent. Information and bookings: www.zou.maregionsud.fr
From the north: Option 1: From Grenoble via La Mure and Gap. Then follow signs for Embrun on the RN 94, then Guillestre, the gateway to the Queyras Regional Nature Park. Take the D902, then follow signs for “Ceillac”.
Option 2: Take the Col du Lautaret route via Bourg d’Oisans and La Grave. Continue to Briançon and follow signs for Gap (RN 94) as far as Montdauphin, then Guillestre, the gateway to the Queyras Regional Nature Park.
Be careful with satnav systems that suggest reaching Briançon via Bardonecchia and the Col de l’Échelle, as the pass is closed in winter! At the toll booth at the tunnel exit on the Italian side, continue on the motorway towards Turin. Exit at Oulx and follow signs for Cesana – Sestrière – Col de Montgenèvre/Francia. From the Col de Montgenèvre (the border), continue to Briançon, then Guillestre (a 1-hour 30-minute drive from the tunnel).
From the south: Valence or Sisteron – Gap – Embrun – Guillestre. From Guillestre, follow signs for “Queyras” (D 902), then take the D 947.
Taxi Le Guilazur on 0680217722 Taxi Durosne on 0660765129 or 0615372867 Transports Petit Mathieu on 0492467156 or 0607839358
By bus
For your departure at the end of the trip: On the final day of walking in high season, a regular bus service runs several times a day from the station to the station. In low season, please be aware that shuttle services are less frequent. Information and bookings through www.zou.maregionsud.fr
A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either during the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we stress that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; you therefore swim under your own responsibility and at your own risk.
Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)
Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.
As a member of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector adopt more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:
Transparency in our practices and pricing
Respect for our partners and local communities
Protecting the environment on every trip
We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and enjoy meaningful encounters.
Travelife Partner
Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.
This label, the second level of a demanding international certification scheme, recognises our concrete actions to promote responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainability policy
In this section, you will find links to products from our partnerAlpinstore, a French online retailer specialising in outdoor equipment, based in Annecy.
A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, a travel bag in good condition or a suitcase that is not too bulky. One bag per person, with a weight limit of 15kg
Find out how to pack your hiking backpack in our magazine.
For hiking
For maximum comfort, choose a layered clothing system: warm base layers (leggings + top) such as “Carline” or “Capilene” (hollow fibres that wick away perspiration) + a sweatshirt or fleece jacket + a mountain jacket and overtrousers with a waterproof, breathable membrane (such as Gore-Tex or equivalent) for bad weather. As a general rule, except in hot climates and countries, avoid cotton, which holds moisture close to the body (and takes a long time to dry), and choose suitable synthetic fabrics instead.
Hiking boots with ankle support, a well-treaded sole, a supportive heel counter and good waterproofing
Technical T-shirts or base layers (quick-drying fabric)
A long-sleeved shirt
Walking poles (telescopic), very important for making walking easier. Discover all the benefits of hiking poles in our dedicated article or how to choose your hiking poles
Note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. Merino wool clothing has also become available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the added benefit of resisting perspiration odours!
For your picnic lunch
Your “kitchen” kit: a plastic bowl, container or plate, and cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)
1 or 2 water bottles (a total capacity of at least 1,5 L) – required –; an insulated bottle for winter
For protection from sun and rain
Sunscreen (high protection)
Sunglasses
A hat, cap or bucket hat
A rain poncho or a waterproof jacket such as a softshell or Gore-Tex jacket, and possibly waterproof trousers
After your hike
A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
Spare clothes and underwear
Toiletry bag and a small towel
Swimsuit and towel for the wellness facilities
A small first-aid kit: personal medication, surgical masks, hand sanitiser, plasters, sterile dressings and a bandage, gauze, disinfectant, arnica pellets and aspirin, etc. (please note that this list is not exhaustive and should be adapted to your own medical needs).
1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to hold your money, identity card, bank card, French health insurance card (Carte Vitale) and assistance insurance policy (your other documents and car key can be left with the hotel during your stay)
1 emergency blanket
Toilet paper and a small lighter to burn it
1 sleeping bag liner (compulsory in all accommodation except hotels, where sheets are provided)
Find these tips in our article #“What to pack for a hike”.
This list is intended as a guide and should be adapted to your trip and the season in which you travel.
Country: France
Capital: Paris
Documents
Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).
Health
Bring your French health insurance card (Carte Vitale) and enough of your usual medication for the duration of your stay.
Dialling code for calling France from abroad: +33.
No time difference: GMT +1.
Le Queyras (The Queyras), summer/winter guide, by Mathieu and Serge Antoine.
Queyras, paysages et maisons (Queyras: Landscapes and Houses), Queyras Regional Nature Park
Cadrans solaires des Hautes Alpes (Sundials of the Hautes-Alpes), by Pierre Putelat and Atelier Tournesol, self-published
Les pieds en Queyras (On Foot in the Queyras), by Albert Borel and Danielle Priout, Editions de Haute Provence
Reviews
4,3· 6 reviews
Beatrice8/14/26
— A lovely loop with a particular favorite being the St. Véran–Chianale leg; we loved the stopover inns (Les Gabelous, L’Ancolie Bleue, Pramourel) for their warm atmosphere, great food, and very comfortable rooms. We weren’t as fond of the picnics (from the hotels) with cheeses that weren’t regional at all (Brie) and were pre-packaged in plastic—it’s a shame in a region like this. Overall, as far as the hiking goes, there were too many downhill sections; we didn’t love having to walk downhill so much every evening. Something to think about for next time.
Frédéric7/25/26
— A breathtaking hike, with stunning panoramic views, well earned after several hours of climbing... The difficulty level seemed to us to be significantly higher than the advertised Level 3. The hotel accommodations met our expectations. We recommend this tour to hikers who already have good mountain hiking experience.
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— Reply from the team
Allan12/27/25
— Splendid
CHAPON Georges9/28/26
— Very good, but when you copy a file to the "Wildlife" folder, make sure all the elements have been validated.
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— Reply from the team
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