Queyras 3000m Summits Trek of the French Alps

A high-level Alping trek for lovers of wild places - Views of dominating spire of Monte Viso from Pain du Sucre - Wooden chalets of Fonts de Cervieres - Fully supported with luggage transfer to Gites

Sandwiched between Briancon and the Italian border, the remote Alpine region of Queyras offers exceptional trekking with a distinctly 'off-the-beaten-track' feel. Based very loosely on the Tour of Queyras circuit (GR58), this exciting new treking holiday has been modified to include the very best hikes in the area. From a succession of charming refuges and gites, we climb around 1000 metres each day to reach the high ground, before continuing to such rocky summits as Rocca Bianca (3059m), Pain du Sucre (3208m) and Grand Glaiza (3293m). Throughout the holiday, there are fantastic views, north to the snow-capped Ecrins and Vanoise massifs and south to the dominating spire of Monte Viso (3841m). Seeking out the quietest areas, we can enjoy our picnic lunches in the company of marmots, chamois and golden eagles. The quality of the hiking in this hidden corner of the French Alps is a revelation!

Trip Guide
This is a superb weeks walking holiday in a hidden corner of the Alps. The trip loosely follows the route of the GR58, the Tour of Queyras long distance walk, which itself has a number of variants. However, we also make every attempt to get away from the main route, to follow rocky ridges and to reach a number of 3000 metre peaks. We follow way-marked footpaths for most of the route, but also find ourselves on unmarked trails, loose scree and easy scrambling terrain. Almost every day we are faced with a considerable ascent (between 1000 and 1500 metres) from a valley base, to reach the upper slopes. This is a tough trek, with 6 long days - expect to be out for 8 to 10 hours per day, including stops. The holiday fully merits its DEMANDING grade.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Briancon. KE Land Only package services begin with the overnight in the group hotel.

Day 2: From Briancon we transfer to Basse-Rua and begin hiking on a trail that climbs the north side of the valley. We climb to the Pic d'Escreins (2734m) and descend to our gite accommodation in Ceillac.

Day 3: Trekking via the Col des Estronques (2651m) and the Pointe des Marcelettes (2900m) we pass through spectacular Alpine scenery on a long descent to the Saint-Veran Valley and our gite accommodation at Le Chalp.

Day 4: After a short transfer, we hike up to the Italian border and the peak of Rocca Bianca (2059m). Traversing across to the Pic de Caramantran, with great views of Monte Viso, we descend to the Refuge Agnel, where we stay for the night.

Day 5: Our next 3000 metre peak is the Pain de Sucre (3208m) which we approach from the Col Vieux. Afterwards we descend to take lunch beside Lac Foreant and then continue downvalley to our gite at Abries.

Day 6: We start the day with a long ascent of the Guil Valley, via the old hamlet of Malrif, to the Pic du Malrif. We then deviate to the summit of the Grand Glaiza (3293m) before descending through meadows to reach our gite at Les Fonts.

Day 7: Our final day of trekking takes us over the Col de Chaude-Maison to the top of L'Escalinade (3087m), before making our descent to Le Laus. From here, we transfer back to the group hotel in Briancon.

Day 8: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast at the group hotel.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

During this trip, the group will spend 2 nights at a small hotel in Briancon. The accommodation here is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. Once on trek, we have 4 nights in gites and 1 night at the Refuge Agnel. Accommodation for these 5 nights is generally in non-segregated dormitory style rooms with bunk beds and shared facilities.