Tour du Queyras

The wild Southern French Alps offer a great hut-to-hut tour in the Queyras where you’ll sleep in one of the many refuges on the way. This offers a unique hiking experience on less crowded paths traversing varied alpine landscapes with mountain lakes, alpine meadows, and forests, as well as spectacular views of the snow-capped mountain peaks along the Italian border and the Ecrins massif to the west. In good weather, you can see the mountain range that forms the border ridge with Italy, including peaks such as Pic de Caramantran, Rocca Bianca, and Tête des Toilliés; all above 3000 meters, as well as Barre des Écrins at 4102 meters. The Queyria Mountains also receive less rain than the popular Ecrins. The trek involves a lot of elevation gain, with several passes above 2800 meters.

The classic route runs from Abries, making a circular route in 8 to 10 days to Abries again. But this hut-to-hut tour can be tailored to different levels of experience and fitness, with options for shorter days or more challenging longer stages. On this helpful website, you can even book the different options. Along the way, hikers can stay in refuges and gîtes. The Tour du Queyras is a perfect trail for anyone who wants to start with hiking hut-to-hut tours in the Alps.

The best time to hike the Tour du Queyras is typically from late June to mid-September. During these months, the weather is the best, with warmer temperatures and less likelihood of snow on the higher trails, making the paths more accessible and enjoyable. The summer months also bring the valley to life, with wildflowers in bloom and wildlife more visible. Early September is delightful, with fewer crowds then and the landscape will begin to showcase the first autumnal color and cooler temperatures for hiking.

Hiking in the mountains, such as this hut-to-hut tour, always requires careful planning and preparation to ensure safety. Layer up for mountain conditions with a baselayer, mid-layer, and hardshell (rain jacket). Carry a detailed map of the area and a smartphone with a hiking app. Check our extensive gear list for hut-to-hut tours here.