Around the Rocher de l'Aigle, starting from Guillestre

A lovely walk around this rock, starting off along the Route de la Viste, the old stagecoach route serving the Queyras.

Details

19505199
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 382 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 377 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,478 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,107 m

Description of the walk

Park in the Chazal district, Rue du Grand Canal.

(S/E) Follow this street north-eastwards to quickly reach the Sentier Découverte junction on Route de la Viste. Continue and follow the information boards to reach the Terrasses junction.

(1) Leave the road and take the right-hand path leading uphill, which will soon bring you to the large building at Les Terrasses. Continue slightly uphill to reach the Torrent de Malafosse.

(2) Cross it, continue the climb and leave the path leading to the Maison du Roy (sign) on your left, turning right instead. Follow the yellow markings and make a wide circular loop to reach a forest track.

(3) Take this track to the right and, following an almost level path, reach the Cabane Mathieu.

(4) Stay on this track, which remains level, until you reach a junction of paths at a bend in the track on the mountain’s shoulder, before descending onto the southern slope.

(5) Leave the track here and start a steep descent on the right-hand path. Stay on this path, following the yellow markings. At a place called Mondone, turn left and continue the descent. You will then reach the Canal Salva.

(6) Cross it and continue along the wide track, then onto the tarmac road to reach the car park on Rue du Grand Canal (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,110 m - Car park on Rue du Grand Canal
  2. 1 : km 2.22 - alt. 1,197 m - Les Terrasses crossroads. Near the - Guil (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 3.29 - alt. 1,328 m - Malafosse Torrent
  4. 3 : km 4.34 - alt. 1,458 m - Forest track
  5. 4 : km 5.45 - alt. 1,475 m - Mathieu Hut
  6. 5 : km 6.66 - alt. 1,436 m - Crossroads descent
  7. 6 : km 7.62 - alt. 1,195 m - Salva Canal
  8. S/E : km 8.08 - alt. 1,115 m - Car park on Rue du Grand Canal

Notes

A hike with no difficulty whatsoever, except in winter when the crossing of the Torrent de Malafosse requires some care.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.5 / 5
LaurineGt
LaurineGt

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very quiet route starting from the centre of Guillestre. Much of the route is on the road, but at the end we saw that there was a much more pleasant path running partly alongside the Salva canal, which I would recommend rather than following the road.

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Roche 07
Roche 07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike. We walked mostly in the shade.
It was very peaceful; we only met a shepherd with his flocks.

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michel.gilette
michel.gilette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short stretch of very sunny road with lovely views of the gorges, then through shady woodland

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pounetvachon
pounetvachon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

That was a while ago. I don't remember much about the circuit itself.

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Aurelia78
Aurelia78

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A well-marked walk. There are two or three steep sections leading up to the village of Gros that aren’t exactly reassuring. You can manage them, of course, but if you’re even slightly prone to vertigo, it’s not exactly comfortable. We didn’t come across anyone, so it was quite pleasant. The final stretch, with the descent to the dam (the water’s a lovely colour) and the climb back up via the Route de la Viste, is nice because it’s quiet and offers a lovely view of Gros. We finished at the Pain de Sucre.

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Philovesophie
Philovesophie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This hike isn’t particularly rewarding if you’re looking for views and scenery, but it’s fine if you just want to stretch your legs and the changeable weather puts you off heading higher up.
Started from Guillestre town centre, which adds 100 metres of elevation gain and almost 3 km.

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