Walking Tour of the Floating Villages of the Queyras
€790.00
The Queyras: 2500 inhabitants, 2500 chamois, 2500 flower species.
Prices are starting indications, per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, and do not include bike hire. Please make a booking enquiry for a confirmed price based on your chosen dates and exact requirements.
Description
The Queyras resembles an archipelago sheltered from the worries of the modern world. Here the sun shines for 300 days a year. Valleys perched from 1600 to 2000 metres, cradle of the highest villages in Europe, wend their way towards Italy. In these mountain villages, buildings wrought from wood and stone seem to melt into the natural environment.
Tourist activity here has developed thanks to the richness of Nature, never to its detriment. Flora and fauna of impressive variety may be seen: there are 650 square kilometres in which a rare gem may be sought. Royal eagle, marmot, chamois, wolf, Eurasian eagle owl, black grouse, brown trout, arolla pine, larch, edelweiss, Turk’s cap lily…
Itinerary
Example itinerary:
D1 Around Molines
Arrival late afternoon in Molines.
Welcome and settling in.
Dinner at night at the 2 star hotel (altitude 1820 m).
D2 Walk around Molines
12 km with 350 m altitude change (4 hrs).
You follow the trace of a former canal which leads to a hamlet called Prats Hauts.
Panoramic viewpoint over the high valleys of the Queyras and the distant mountains of the Southern Alps.
Dinner and night at the two star hotel (altitude 1820 m).
D3 From Molines to Le Coin
10.5 km with 550 m altitude change (3 hrs).
The path follows the route of a former canal. It goes up to the village of Pierre-Grosse. Note the fine houses built in typically Queyras style: these “fustes” (formerly signifying long wooden ship!) are constructed in solid larchwood.
Dinner and night at the 2 star hotel at 2000metres!
D4 Around Le Coin
15 km with 350m altitude change (5hrs).
An unusual cornice walk along the former Rouchas Frach canal into the valley of the Aigue Agnelle.
On the outward stretch you admire the scenery and on the way back you are part of it! The path has recently been improved, with handrails to increase safety in tricky sections.
Dinner and night at the 2 star hotel (altitude 2000 metres).
D5 From Le Coin to the mountain hut (‘refuge’) at La Blanche
16,4km Alpine stage with 990m climb – around 6hrs.
What a fine walk today! You set off from the valley of L’Aigue Agnelle to reach the valley of L’Aigue Blanche.
Between the two you have to go over the Col (pass) du Longet at no less than 2700 metres altitude and with surely one of the finest views across the mountains of the Queyras.
Dinner and night in the 2 star refuge at 2500 metres.
A night in a refuge is quite different from a night in a hotel: it is a unique mountain experience that you will never forget!
D6 From the mountain refuge at La Blanche to Saint Véran
13 km with 380 m total uphill (about 4 hrs).
First thing this morning is a little climb up to 2738 metres, the highest point of your stay. The gentle descent down the valley brings you to the remains of a former marble quarry. Then you go along the so-called ‘grand canal’ which passes below a former copper quarry. This lovely route along the mountainside brings you to the first houses of Saint Véran.
Dinner and night in 2 star hotel (altitude 1950 metres).
D7 From Saint Véran to Molines
The shorter of the 2 options is 8km long with 225 metres uphill (around 2hours30).
It’s an easy stroll in the valley of La Blanche. You go past the chapel of Sainte Agathe and the honey production of La Chalp.
The longer route is more difficult: 12 kms long with total uphill 785metres (about 5hrs).
This is for seasoned walkers only; the route takes you to the chapel of Saint Simon and over the pastures of the Col Fromage.
Once you’ve picked up your vehicle in Molines, you return to spend the night at Saint Véran.
Dinner and night in 2 star hotel (1950 m).
D8 Departure
Breakfast, followed by departure.
