Crossing the Queyras on snowshoes
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 925.00 €
About the Snowshoeing in Queyras trip
The Queyras is a snowshoeing paradise. Come and discover its wild valleys, authentic villages among the highest in France and beautiful mountains.
This traverse takes you from the north to the south of the massif, offering you a complete panorama of the massif. We’ll take you from lodge to lodge, where you’ll be welcomed in warm, comfortable accommodations where you can discover the delicious cuisine of the Hautes Alpes.
You will leave with :
Julien D.
Trekking Guide
“Every step is an invitation to contemplation, every sunset a reminder of nature’s simple, profound beauty.”
Photo gallery of La Traversée du Queyras en Raquettes trip
The route of your Queyras crossing
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a state-qualified Watse mountain leader
- 6 nights’ accommodation in a double or twin room
- Half-board at the hotel (dinner and breakfast)
- Picnic lunches and snacks during the hike
- Transfers as indicated in the program
What's not included in the package
- Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Transport to and from the meeting point and dispersal area
- Beverages during meals, excluding still water
- Single room supplement, in comfort package (contact us for rates)
- Anything not included in the package
Day 1: The Col de l'Izoard in winter
4 hrs 30 mins – D+ 600 m / D- 200m – Overnight in refuge
We meet in the village of Brunissard.
Depending on the conditions, we’ll either cross the Col des Ourdéis before traversing the grandiose scenery below the Pic de Clot La Cime to the Izoard refuge, or climb directly to the refuge before exploring the north side of the Izoard.
Time will be set aside to get to grips with avalanche safety equipment.
Day 2: On a panoramic ridge
Day 3: From valley to valley
5h30 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge – D+: 700m / D-: 700m(with ascent of Pain de Sucre)
After an early-morning transfer to Pont de Lariane, we climb steady but gentle slopes through a larch forest. Above us, the cliffs of Pic de Château Renard rise vertically into the sky. Soon, we emerge from the forest and the pass is in sight. At the pass, we’re at over 2700m. The atmosphere changes radically. The deep valley of the Aigue Agnelle gives way to the wide open spaces of the Aigue Blanche valley. We descend through this grandiose scenery to the refuge de la Blanche, the end of our stage.
Day 4: 3000 on snowshoes
6-hour walk – Overnight at hotel – D+: 500m / D-: 1000m
From the refuge de la Blanche, we climb up easy slopes towards the Col de Chamoussières at over 2880m. The summit is not far off. At Pic de Caramantran, we’re on the border with Italy, which stretches further down. The view is grandiose. We descend as close as possible to other important peaks, such as Rocca Bianca and tête des Toillies. Our next objective: Saint Véran, which we reach after a gentle descent.
Day 5: Haute route de l'Aigue Blanche
6 hours’ walk – Overnight in gîte – D+: 650m / D-: 950m
Today’s itinerary takes us off the beaten track. We climb up the Lamaron valley before branching off into unspoilt countryside below the Rousse and Combe Arnaude ridges. A beautiful descent awaits us, first in an open valley, then in a larch forest that leads us to the hamlet of La Rua.
Day 6: The wide open spaces of Queyras
D+: 800m / D-: 950m – 7h – Overnight in gîte
A magnificent day awaits us. We start by climbing up to Prés Fromage through larch forests. We then progress to the Vallon, dominated by the majestic Pointe de la Selle, in a setting that leaves no one indifferent. Crossing the Fontantie plateau opens onto wide-open spaces and mountains as far as the eye can see. We descend through a forest to the Hameau de Montbardon.
Day 7: A very wild last day
5h30 walk – D+: 800m / D-: 550m
From Montbardon, we head up into areas that are seldom visited in winter. These vast forested areas are reminiscent of Canada. All around us, imposing mountains add to the impression of grandeur. At the foot of the Col Fromage, the slope straightens out and we end up with a beautiful panorama of the Font Sancte massif and northern Queyras. We then descend into the Cristillan valley towards Ceillac, the finish point of our traverse.
End of the trip and dispersal of the group.
Highlights of the trip
General information
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 35% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
CLIMATE
Summer and winter alike, temperatures in the mountains vary with altitude, and the way they feel can be greatly affected by the intensity of the wind.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
We strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
Transport and conditions
Meet at Brunissard village on D1 at 9:00 am. Transport to and from Brunissard is not included in the price. Car-pooling to and from Guillestre available on request.
LUGGAGE
You will find your luggage in your accommodation on the evenings of days 2, 4 and 5.
The stay
MEALS
Picnics at lunchtime, prepared by us or taken at your accommodation. Morning and evening meals are taken in your accommodation.
Snacks are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you have a special diet.
ACCOMMODATION
6 nights’ half-board accommodation in a dormitory, refuge or gîte, subject to availability.
TRAINING
Supervision by a French state-qualified mountain leader, for a maximum of 8 people.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
You can recharge your electronic devices every evening in your accommodation.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
No visa required for French nationals and citizens of bordering countries.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
Daily travel, meals not included (cold drinks, snacks, etc.) and accommodation are included in the price of the stay. Tipping is not compulsory and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
Watse added value
HOME-MADE PICNICS
During the stay, picnics are prepared using fresh local produce.
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
The chosen accommodation has been selected by our team for its geographical location and the quality of its welcome.
TRANSFERS BY PRIVATE VEHICLE
During your stay, all transfers between your accommodation and the trailheads will be by private vehicle, to give you maximum freedom and avoid any inconvenience.