• Queyras: The Best Kept Secret in the Alps

• Everyday from mid June to mid September

• Please contact us for a quote for your group

• 7 nights. 8 days: 6 days centre based guided walking - Altitude maximum 3000m, average 2500m. Average: length 5 -7 hrs, altitude gain 800m.   

• An unspoilt, rugged region with amazing scenery. Views that take your breath away.
• A relatively quiet alpine area where high mountain passes and summits are easily accessible.
• Varied landscapes with rock deserts, alpine pastures, beautiful lakes, souring alpine peaks and pretty historic alpine villages.
• A rich alpine fauna and flora in the regional park

• “Just to say thank you so much for such a wonderful trip in the Queyras. I'm already missing the treks in that beautiful landscape and I really appreciated how you chose a different walking experience everyday. And no maps; you just effortlessly led us onto the right paths and up to those stunning views!” M. Barlow, UK
• "I had high expectations that you would be an excellent guide, and that we would all have a wonderful walking holiday. I was right! Thank you for choosing such beautiful hiking routes and selecting charming chambres d’hotes.”
  H. Jonas, Australia.
• Take a look at other customer reviews of this walking holiday

• Your accommodation is in two chambres d'hôtes style guest houses where you'll receive a warm welcome. Both provide very comfortable ensuite rooms within traditional historic buildings. Meals will be taken in your guest house and will be local specialities.

1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon, 7 nights' accommodation, full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure), 6 guided walks

1. Travel between the UK and Lyon, lunches on the day of arrival and departure, transfers other than those from Lyon, any excursions or entrance fees

1. See also our guided snow-shoeing holiday in the Queyras

The Walks

The walks on this guided walking holiday are graded moderate/challenging. Average walking days are about 6 hours long and include height gains of between 300m and 800m. In addition three of the days include the possibility of ascending further to reach some easy alpine summits where you'll be rewarded by spectacular views. This flexibility allows a group of mixed abilities to make the most of the holiday. However, as most walks will take place above 2000m where the effects of altitude can be felt, and the climbs are sometimes steep, a moderate to good level of fitness is required. You should also be comfortable on mountainous paths.

The paths are mountainous and sometimes rocky in nature. They are occasionally exposed, but do not require any technical abilities.

Walking

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Lyon and transfer to first guest house in the Arvieux Valley. Evening meal in guest house.

Day 2: Col Néal and the meadows of Clapeyto (5 hrs, +650m)

Our week will start with a fairly gentle climb out of the upper end of the Arvieux Valley through flower-filled alpine pastures to the Col Néal with its numerous glacial lakes. From here, we have great views of the adjacent Ecrins mountain range. Our circuit then descends through the pretty hamlet of Clapeyto with its traditional chalets and summer meadows

Day 3: Lacs Mirroir and Ste Anne (6-7hrs, +800 - +1000m)

Today's walk will start by visiting the amazing waterfall - Cascade de la Pisse. After, we'll climb gently through forests to reach the first of the two lakes - Lac Mirroir. The lake is in a beautiful setting with stunning limestone peaks rising beyond the lush green pastures and larch trees surrounding the still waters. From here the route climbs steadily to the Lake Ste Anne whose turqouise blue waters are surrounded by the rocky slopes of the highest mountain in the Queyras, the Fonte Sancte. From here, there is the option of continuing up to a col or mountain pass for exceptional views accross the western Queyras. The descent is by a different route. Afterwards we'll stop at the village of Ceillac with its unique architecture.

Day 4: Chateau Queyras and Lac de Souliers (3-5 hrs, +300 - +700m)

A visit to the Chateau Queyras in the morning will allow for a partial rest before getting back to walking in the afternoon. The Chateau Queyras, situated on a glacial knoll in the Guill Valley, is the principal fortified site within the mountainous region. Our day's walk starts from the Casse Deserte, an area of barren rocky slopes and pinnacles, before climbing through forest and pasture to reach the circular beautiful lake Souliers, surrounded by rocky mountainous peaks. Here, there is the choice of resting in the sun or climbing onto one of the surrounding peaks for spectacular views.

Day 5: Traversing Furfande (6-7hrs, +700m)

Our day starts by climbing to Col Furfande from where its a short and easy ascent of the Pic du Gazon at 2744m offering spectacular views of the surrounding stark, rocky pinnacles and mountains. We'll then descend to the Refuge de Furfande and stop for refreshment before undertaking a spectacular traverse across the slopes high above the Guil Valley with views of the high mountains beyond. A pleasant woodland walk will bring us back to Arvieux.

Day 6: Bouchouse Valley (5hrs, +225m)

The day will start with a lovely drive up to the Col d'Agnel, from where it's a short ascent to reach the col Vieux (2806m) at the foot of the impressive Pain du Sucre. From here its a spectacular descent along the Bouchouse Valley. You'll pass a couple of beautiful alpine lakes, reflecting the surrounding mountains in their still waters, before joining the Guill Valley to reach Echalp.

Day 7: Pic du Caramantran and St Véran (6hrs, +720m)

Our last day's objective is nothing less than a 3000m high mountain. Our walk starts relatively high up at the Chapel de Clausis above the torrent of the Aguille Blanche. The walking is pleasant and easy as you pass through a landscape of tumbling streams, meadows and rocky bluffs. The path climbs steadily to the Col de Chamoussiere from where there are great views of Mont Viso, rising to over 3800m across the border in Italy. The path then climbs to the summit where views extend to the Piedmont in Italy, the Mont Blanc in France, and the Mont Rosa in Switzerland. The descent route will take us past the Lac de la Blanche. We'll take the time to visit the historic and well preserved village of St Véran, which is also the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Lyon

Contact us about this guided walking holiday

Please Note: Further information about the walks on this French guided walking holiday in the Queyras region of the Alps will be sent to you prior to your holiday. We will endeavour to keep to these walks as far as possible on our guided walking tour; however they are subject to change. In addition, we like to maintain a certain degree of flexibility to take account of the group’s abilities and interests, and the local weather conditions. The final selection of walks will be made by your guide during the week after consultation with the group.

Once you have booked on this guided walking holiday in France, further information about the walking, the Queyras region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring. In addition, our travel shop has direct access to all the top walking and travel retailers. Please contact us if you need any further information.