If you’re looking for an Alpine trek with fewer crowds, more sunshine, and villages that feel genuinely lived-in, the Tour du Queyras is hard to beat. This 8-10 day circuit loops through the Hautes-Alpes, taking in Europe’s highest commune, passing centuries-old sundials, and crossing high passes with views across to Italy’s Monte Viso.
THE ROUTE | PRACTICAL INFO | BOOK A GUIDE | ACCOMMODATION | FAQ
The Queyras sits in the Hautes-Alpes, bordering Italy. It’s a Regional Natural Park rather than a National Park, which gives it a distinct character. You’re walking through a landscape that people still farm, still inhabit, still call home. This is the historic “Republic of Escartons,” a territory that enjoyed unusual independence in the Middle Ages.
The region gets 300 days of sunshine a year. The terrain is friendlier than the granite massifs further north. So while the GR58 is a challenging hike, it doesn’t require ice axes or crampons.
Quick Facts
Distance: 130 km
Elevation gain: 7,500m to 8,500m
Duration: 8-10 days
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (non-technical)
Start/Finish: Ceillac or Mont-Dauphin
Best time: Mid-June to late September
Highest point: Col de Chamoussière (2,884m)
Why Hike the GR58?
The villages are the real thing
Unlike the northern Alps with their big-scale ski resorts, the Queyras is a collection of authentic mountain villages. You’ll sleep in gîtes in Saint-Véran, the highest commune in Europe at 2,042m. You’ll walk past centuries-old sundials painted on timber facades. The villages here aren’t staged for tourists; they’re working communities that happen to welcome hikers.
The light is exceptional
This is the sunniest part of the French Alps. The quality of light here is legendary among landscape photographers. In autumn, the vast larch forests turn gold. The valleys fill with wildflowers in June and July; orange lilies, edelweiss, gentians and alpine orchids.
It’s accessible without being easy
The stats look serious, and the walking demands fitness and stamina. But the trails are well-graded and clearly waymarked with red and white blazes. Unlike the strict regulations in the Mercantour or Ecrins National Parks, the Queyras allows dogs on a leash and offers more flexibility for wild camping.
You can also hire a baggage transfer service (Sherpa Queyras) to move your main pack between gîtes, which opens up the trek to families and older hikers.
The Route
The classic GR58 loop is usually walked counter-clockwise, starting from Ceillac or Mont-Dauphin.
Here’s a typical 8-day itinerary:
Day 1: Ceillac to Saint-Véran
The hike starts with a sharp climb to the Col des Estronques at 2,651m. The reward is the view from the pass, where you first see Saint-Véran, Europe’s highest village, spread across the mountainside. The descent takes you into this architectural gem of wood-stacked houses called fustes.
Stats: 13 km | +1,080m | 6h30
Day 2: Saint-Véran to Refuge Agnel
A high-altitude day. You pass the remote Chapel of Clausis and climb to the Col de Chamoussière at 2,884m, the highest point of the GR58. From the pass, you can easily tag the summit of Pic de Caramantran at 3,025m if you want a 3,000m peak with zero technical difficulty. The day ends at Refuge Agnel, sitting right on the Italian border.
Stats: 13 km | +830m | 5h30
Day 3: Refuge Agnel to L’Echalp
Many hikers consider this the most beautiful stage of the GR58. You cross the Col Vieux and descend into a landscape of alpine lakes. Lac Foréant and Lac Egorgéou reflect the jagged dragon-back ridge of the Crête de la Taillante. Across the Italian border, the silhouette of Monte Viso (3,841m) dominates the skyline.
Stats: 12 km | +230m / -1,120m | 5h
Day 4: L’Echalp to Abriès
A traverse day along the Colette de Gilly ridge. You move from high alpine terrain back into lush larch forests, with panoramic views back toward Monte Viso and the valleys you’ve just crossed.
Stats: 15 km | +890m | 5h30
Day 5: Abriès to Les Fonts de Cervières
You leave the main Guil valley and enter wilder, more lunar terrain. The climb to Col du Malrif at 2,860m is tough, but the Grand Laus Lake at 2,500m offers a Caribbean-blue swimming spot if you’re brave enough. The hamlet of Les Fonts is a time capsule of traditional mountain architecture.
Stats: 14 km | +1,290m | 6h30
Day 6: Fonts de Cervières to Souliers/Arvieux
You leave the remote hamlet of Fonts de Cervières and climb to the Col de Péas at 2,629m, with views across to the Crête de Rasis. The descent takes you through alpine meadows full of marmots and into larch forests before reaching the village of Souliers or continuing to Arvieux.
Stats: 20-21 km | +1,100-1,130m | 6-7h
Day 7: Souliers/Arvieux to Refuge de Furfande
The route passes through or near Arvieux, famous for its proximity to the Col d’Izoard (a Tour de France legend). From here, you climb through the Combe Devez forest to the Cabane du Plan du Vallon, then up to the Col de Furfande at 2,500m. The Refuge de Furfande, perched on a grassy shoulder, is often cited as having the most spectacular terrace in the Queyras, with panoramic views across to the Écrins massif and the jagged Crête de la Croseras.
Stats: 7-8 km | +770-800m | 2h45-3h
Note: Many hikers extend Day 6 to Brunissard and shorten Day 7, or combine Days 6-7 into one longer stage.
Day 8: Refuge de Furfande to Ceillac
The final day starts with a spectacular but demanding descent of 1,050m into the valley via the Col de la Lauze (2,076m), passing through traditional hamlets like Le Châtelard, Les Escoyères, and Les Esponces, each with its chapel and sundial. At the Pont de Bramousse, the trail climbs back up through larch forests and flowery meadows to the Col de Bramousse (2,251m), before the final descent back to Ceillac.
Stats: 16-18 km | +1,000-1,100m | 5-6h
Planning Your Trek
Getting There
The gateway station is Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre. It’s served by the overnight train from Paris (Intercités de Nuit) or regional trains from Marseille and Valence. From the station, the Zou! bus service (Line S24) connects to Ceillac or Ville-Vieille.
Accommodation
Gîtes d’Etape: The Queyras is known for high-quality gîtes in the villages, offering showers, hot meals, and the choice of dorm beds or private rooms.
Mountain Refuges: High-altitude huts like Refuge Agnel and Refuge de Furfande are essential for the wilder sections. Booking is mandatory in July and August.
Wild Camping: Unlike the National Parks, bivouac camping is allowed between sunset and sunrise, provided you’re at least one hour’s walk from a village.
Baggage Transfer
Sherpa Queyras offers a baggage transfer service, moving your main pack from gîte to gîte while you hike with just a day pack. This service makes the GR58 accessible to families and less experienced trekkers.
When to Go
Season: Mid-June to end of September.
Snow: High passes like Chamoussière can hold snow until early July.
Wildflowers: Late June is peak season for alpine flowers including orchids, gentians and orange lilies.
Crowds: July and August are busy. Early September offers perfect conditions with fewer hikers.
Maps
The best maps are IGN 1:25,000 scale. You’ll need:
- 3637 OT (Guillestre, Vars, Risoul, Ceillac)
- 3637 ET (Mont Viso, Saint-Véran, Aiguilles)
Tourist Information
Office de Tourisme
Maison du Tourisme du Queyras
05350 Château-Ville-Vieille
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 46 76 18
Website: lequeyras.com
Book a Queyras Hiking Trip
Our trusted partner Explore-Share offers expertly guided 8-day treks around the Tour du Queyras, perfect for experienced hikers who want to explore Europe’s highest villages with a certified local guide. From alpine passes to timber villages and mirror-still lakes, hiking with UIMLA-certified guide Sarah gets you deeper into the culture, further off the beaten track, and means you don’t have to navigate or plan accommodation.
Guided Hiking Experiences
If you’d like to explore the GR58 with a local expert, there are guided hiking tours led by UIMLA-certified mountain leader Sarah Kleinknecht, based in the French Alps. Sarah offers guided 8-day treks around the Queyras Regional Natural Park, covering the classic counter-clockwise route from Ceillac through Saint-Véran, Refuge Agnel, Abriès, and back to Ceillac.
Book a guided Queyras trek in partnership with Explore-Share and discover the Hautes-Alpes with an experienced guide who knows the trails, the refuges, and the mountain culture.
Accommodation
Here are a few recommended places to stay at the start and end of the trek.
Hotels near Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre
The gateway town offers several hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of the train station.
Gîte accommodation in Ceillac
The traditional starting point for the GR58, Ceillac has several gîtes and small hotels.
Planning a trek in the Hautes-Alpes? Check out our guide to the tougher, wilder neighbor: The Tour des Ecrins (GR54) or explore our complete hub for Hiking in the French Alps.
FAQ
Physically, the daily effort is comparable. Technically, it’s often easier. The trails are well-marked and less exposed. The main difference is solitude; you won’t be fighting for trail space on the GR58.
No. The route drops into villages (Saint-Véran, Abriès, Arvieux) almost daily, so you can resupply frequently. You can also order packed lunches (panier repas) from your gîte the night before.
Yes. This is a huge advantage over the GR54 (Ecrins) or the Tour du Mont Blanc. Dogs are generally allowed on the GR58, provided they’re kept on a leash, especially near sheep flocks protected by Patou guard dogs.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your hiking trip to the Queyras, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this page. Happy holidays!
