Self-guided · Southern French Alps
The highest villages
in Europe, walked
col to col.
Sometimes called Little Switzerland — a circuit of the wild, sun-baked Queyras massif on the Italian border, over high cols and through some of the highest permanently-inhabited villages in Europe.
- Days
- 7
- Distance
- 95 km
- Ascent
- 6,100 m
- Grade
- Moderate to challenging
Trip Essentials
The walk
A quieter alternative
to the Alps' famous circuits.
The Queyras sits on the French–Italian border south of Briançon — a whole regional natural park of high pasture, larch forest and traditional stone-and-wood villages that most walkers have never heard of. It's the driest part of the French Alps, with reliable summer weather and a light quality that reminds people more of the Mediterranean than the mountains.
This circuit crosses seven passes in seven days, links up villages that sit above 2,000 m — Saint-Véran claims the title of highest permanently-inhabited village in Europe — and dips briefly into Italy at the foot of Mont Viso, the second highest peak in the country. Marmots, chamois, eagles, and the wooden fountains and painted sundials of hamlets that haven't changed in a very long time.
It's the same shape of trip as the Tour of Mont Blanc — good waymarked paths, mountain gîtes each night, dinner around a shared table — but far quieter, cheaper, and with more sun.
The route, day by day.
A fixed self-guided package: every stage, every night's accommodation and every luggage transfer is arranged before you set off.
- 01
Ville-Vieille → Col Fromage → Ceillac
5 h · +1060 m / −810 m · 15 kmMeet at Ville-Vieille, the historic gateway to the Queyras valleys under Fort Queyras. A long climb through the forest and pastoral massif of the Bûcher to the Col Fromage (2,300 m), then descent into the lively village of Ceillac (1,640 m) at the head of the Cristillan valley.
- 02
Ceillac → Col des Estronques → Saint-Véran
6.5 h · +1140 m / −800 m · 12 kmUp over the Col des Estronques (2,651 m) — the gateway to the true Haut Queyras — and down into the Aigue Blanche valley to Saint-Véran, one of the highest permanently-inhabited villages in Europe at 2,040 m.
- 03
Saint-Véran → Col de Chamoussière → Refuge Agnel
5 h · +930 m / −385 m · 12 kmFrom Saint-Véran, climb to the upper Clausis valley (2,350 m) and pick your way along the Italian border ridge — Blanchet lakes, Col de Saint-Véran (2,850 m), an optional summit of Pic de Caramantran (3,000 m), and the Col de Chamoussière (2,880 m). A big alpine day. Marmots everywhere.
- 04
Refuge Agnel → Valley of the Lakes → L'Echalp
5.5 h · +260 m / −1140 m · 11 kmDescend the Guil valley via the Pain de Sucre (3,200 m, optional) and Col Vieux (2,850 m), then walk through the Foréant and Egourgéou lakes nature reserve down to the hay meadows of the Haut Guil valley (1,700 m).
- 05
L'Echalp → Colette de Gilly → Abriès
5.5 h · +900 m / −1000 m · 15 kmOne of the most beautiful ridge walks in the Queyras — the Peyra Plata ridges (2,500 m), the flower-rich Colette de Gilly, and the almost-lost hamlet of Valpréveyre. Descend to the lively valley village of Abriès.
- 06
Abriès → Lacs Malrifs → Refuge des Fonts de Cervières
6 h · +1270 m / −770 m · 14 kmThe most challenging day. Cross the Malrif massif (2,550–2,900 m) to reach the Malrif lakes with a memorable view of Mont Viso, then descend into the remote Fonts de Cervières valley in the Briançonnais.
- 07
Les Fonts → Col de Péas → Col de la Crêche → Ville-Vieille
6 h · +570 m / −1250 m · 15 kmLeave the pastoral hamlet of Les Fonts for the Col de Péas (2,600 m) under the Rochebrune — one of the four pillars of the massif. Return to Ville-Vieille via the canal, the Col de la Crêche and the Astragales path. Trip ends in the afternoon.
Where you'll stay
A good bed at the end of every day.
Small mountain gîtes and one B&B in Ceillac. Classic accommodation is a shared dormitory for four to twelve; comfort upgrades you to a twin room where available, and a hotel-style option provides private rooms with en-suite for most nights. Bring a liner — bed linen isn't always provided.
Getting there
Nearest station: Guillestre-Mont-Dauphin. Regular trains from Paris via Valence and Briançon. Private taxi from the station to Ville-Vieille costs around €80 for two to four people.
What's included?
A fixed self-guided package — accommodation, luggage transfer and route notes all taken care of before you arrive.
Six nights on a half-board basis (dinner at your own choice in Ceillac)
Route notes, IGN maps and a printed roadbook for the group
Digital route notes on your phone
Tourist taxes
All planning, booking and support before and during the walk
Luggage transfer between accommodations (optional add-on, minimum 2 people)
Not included
- Picnic lunches (bookable at each accommodation)
- Dinner in Ceillac (village restaurants — pay direct)
- Taxi and bus transfers
- Personal expenses, drinks, cancellation insurance
- Guiding — self-guided, you are responsible for your own safety
Book your Haut Queyras — 7 days adventure.
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
Is the Queyras really quieter than the rest of the French Alps?
Yes. It's tucked away in the south of the range, has no big-name mountain like Mont Blanc drawing crowds, and the whole area is a regional park with a hard cap on new development. Even in August you'll walk for hours between people.
How fit do I need to be?
Level 3 out of 4. Roughly five to seven hours of walking a day with about 800 m of ascent, on good waymarked paths. If you're comfortable with a long Lake District day, you'll be fine here. Regular cardio in the months before helps.
Can I book for one person?
Yes. There's a single-person supplement of about €55. Classic dormitory accommodation is fine for solo walkers. Tell us on the enquiry form and we'll quote accordingly.
Six-day version?
Yes — a slightly shorter version with the Peyra Plata ridge day either compressed or dropped. Tell us on the enquiry form if you'd prefer this.
Do you handle payments and refunds?
Yes. You book with Big Trail Adventures, pay us, and we handle everything. Cancellation terms are set out in our booking conditions.