Snowshoeing to the Col de Longet

To get to the starting car park from Molines-en-Queyras, head towards Col Agnel on the D205, pass the hamlet of Fontgillarde, and the Pont de Lariane car park is 1.2 km further on, on the right.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the stream and continue in the same direction, heading south towards the woods. Enter the woods, following the snowshoe tracks of previous hikers: they follow a path that is visible in summer but hidden by snow in winter (see Practical Information below). About 450 m from the starting car park, you will see a fork in the path.

(1) Turn left, heading south-east, and walk about 600 m between the larch trees to a clearing (altitude 2,160 m).

(2) Turn right, heading south-east, and climb for about 500 m until you reach a sparse forest (altitude 2,235 m).

(3) Head south-east again and walk for about 900 m until you reach the upper edge of the forest (altitude 2,390 m).

(4) Continue climbing south-southeast, along the hillside, towards the gap that marks the location of the Col de Longet (elevation 2,701 m), and reach it.

(5) For the return journey, descend north-northwest, taking the easiest route and staying west of the Torrent de Longuet. Descend to the edge of the forest (altitude 2,273 m).

(6) Move away from the stream bed, which continues northwards, and enter the forest. Cross through it and, at the start of the clearing, look for a yellow marker on a tree.

(7) When you leave the forest, walk along the clearing on the left until you reach a log table.

(8) Cross a small section of forest, then continue on the left side of the snowfield until you reach a yellow marker.

(9) Turn left, heading north-west towards the car park where you started. Do not take the cross-country ski trail, which is closed to pedestrians, but climb a small hill to the left of this trail, then easily return to the bridge below where you started, then the car park (S/E).

Check the weather and avalanche risk. Bring an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, snowshoes and walking sticks.

If, in the forest between (S/E) and (4), recent snowfall has covered the tracks of previous hikers, use this GPX track on a receiver (remember to download it beforehand) or take the more popular descent route via (9), (8) (7) and (6).

There is no shelter or drinking water on this hike.

Once at the Col de Longet and depending on the snow conditions, it is possible to climb towards Pic Traversier for a better view of the Saint-Véran valley, Pic de Château Renard and its observatory.