Village and highland hike in the French Alps

To reach the "highest village in Europe," Saint-Véran, take the Escartons shuttle, which will bring you to Rua de Molines (you also have the option to start directly on foot from the hotel: +1h30 of walking).

Passing through a series of typical hamlets perched above the valley, you follow the Aigue Blanche stream eastward, which originates in the heights of Saint-Véran. The strong pastoral activity in this valley has shaped the landscape into a patchwork of hay meadows!

You will cross the hamlet of Pierre Grosse, with its blackened larch log houses, reflecting the evolution of Queyras architecture at a time when large hay reserves had to be stored under the roofs for the long winter months. A short distance away, the village of Saint-Véran stretches along the south-facing slope and will welcome you for a two-night stay.

HIKING TIME : 4h

DISTANCE : 10,5 km

ASCENT : 380 m

DESCENT : 34 m 

ACCOMMODATION : hotel **

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT : with luggage transport

Depart directly from your hotel for one of the most beautiful viewpoints over Saint-Véran: the Croix de Curlet. Descend to the Pont du Moulin at the bottom of Saint-Véran, then climb through a century-old larch forest, passing by the Lamaron barns.

The Croix is just a few meters away and offers an extraordinary panorama of the village of Saint-Véran, as well as the Tête des Toillies and the Pic du Grand Rochebrune. An additional option is to extend the route to Cascavelier for the more adventurous.

HIKING TIME : 5h

DISTANCE : 7,5 km

ASCENT : 495 m

DESCENT : 495 m 

ACCOMMODATION : hotel **

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT : with luggage transport

By e-bike: 

From Saint-Véran, once equipped with your electric-assisted bike (E-bike), follow a wide trail along the Aigue Blanche stream up to the Refuge de la Blanche, nestled by the lake. Depending on your level and preferences, you can return via the easy mine track or a more playful balcony trail back to Saint-Véran. A total of 25 km on easy mountain paths and trails. Bike rental is optional at €75 per person, and must be reserved when booking.

A short 5 km shuttle transfer (available only in season) takes you up the Vallon de la Blanche. From there, a wide trail leads you to the refuge in just a few minutes.

Following a little-used route on the southern slopes of the Tête des Toillies, you reach the Col Blanchet, which rises to nearly 3,000 meters (starting from 2,300 m!). A broad valley surrounded by towering peaks opens before you… welcome to the upper Italian Piedmont. As you descend, a series of lakes appears, offering an extraordinary setting and inviting hikers to enjoy a picnic by one of them.

Under the watchful gaze of many playful ibex, you will arrive at one of the most typical villages of the Val Varaita: Chianale. Here, you will stay at a charming agriturismo, where the owner, Brigitte, will give you a warm and heartfelt welcome.

HIKING TIME : 6h

DISTANCE : ?? km

ASCENT : 610 m

DESCENT : 1090 m 

ACCOMMODATION : guesthouse

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT : with luggage transport

In the morning, take a short 15-minute transfer by vehicle from Chianale to Col Agnel (2,744 m), the high mountain pass on the border between the Queyras and the Italian Piedmont. An optional variant allows for a climb to Pain de Sucre (3,200 m).

The route crosses Col Vieux (2,850 m) and then descends through the iconic Vallée des Lacs, including the Foréant and Egorgeou lakes, recently designated as a nature reserve. From the gateways of the high mountains down to the hay meadows of the Haut Guil valley (1,700 m), you will be surrounded by extraordinary, unspoiled landscapes.

A regular shuttle then takes you to Abriès or Ville Vieille in about 10 minutes.

HIKING TIME : 5h30

DISTANCE : 10 km

ASCENT : 260 m

DESCENT : 1140 m 

ACCOMMODATION : hotel ** at Abriès or Ville Vieille

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT : with luggage transport

Morning transfer at 9 a.m. to the hamlet of Souliers. Known as the “Hamlet of the Sun,” Souliers proudly showcases its rural heritage with herds of cows, yaks, a few pigs, and meticulously maintained meadows tended by the Humbert family.

You will follow the pastoral valley alongside the stream, beneath the imposing Grand Rochebrune. Crossing the Tronchet Pass leads you into the Isoard Valley and down to Arvieux, with an optional detour to the Souliers Lake for a refreshing finale to your journey.

Descent into Arvieux marks the end of your stay.

HIKING TIME : 5h30

DISTANCE : 7,5 km

ASCENT : 495 m

DESCENT : 645 m 

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT : with luggage transport