Astragales Circular Loop

Overlooking the south-facing Guil valley, two high-altitude hamlets, Les Meyries and Rouet, are well worth a visit, especially in winter. To reach them, simply take the Sentier des Astragales and continue the walk along the^GR®®58.

Details

n°1026311

Creation:
20 Mar 2018

Last update:
02 Sep 2026

Last review:
09 Sep 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.72 mi
Average duration: 3h 25
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,427 ft
Descent: - 1,440 ft
Highest point: 5,804 ft
Lowest point: 4,524 ft

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Queyras, Dauphiné
City: Château-Ville-Vieille (05470|05350|05460)
Start/End: N 44.76242° / E 6.817908°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3537ET, 3537ETR, 3637OT, 3637OTR
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Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park located before the Tourist Office and the Maison de l’Artisanat when coming from Guillestre.

(S/E) At the end of the car park, take the path on the left (signposted). You’ll soon reach the junction with the path leading to Meyries. Continue straight ahead and, following a very gentle climb, you’ll reach the hamlet of La Pissarote.

(1) Cross the stream and turn left at the crossroads (signposted as well). Begin a steeper climb, looking out for the red and yellow markings of^{the GRP®®} Tour de la Dent du Ratier on the trees. First through the forest and then across mountain pastures, you’ll reach the junction with^{the GR®®58}.

(2) Turn 180° to the left onto this^{GR®® route} and, via a long, almost flat traverse, reach a spot used by the shepherd in summer, where a few wooden huts provide shelter.

(3) Stay on the track to reach the hamlet of Les Meyries with ease.

(4) Cross the hamlet (a few signposts) and head for the wide track leading to the church. Walk past the church and continue to the junction of the Ville-Vieille and Château-Queyras footpaths. Turn left (signpost), cross the stream and begin the descent through the forest to reach the junction mentioned at the start. Turn right onto the track you took on the way out and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,537 ft - Trail car park / Near the - Guil (rivière)
1 : mi 0.85 - alt. 5,082 ft - Pissarote
2 : mi 1.62 - alt. 5,804 ft - GR junction
3 : mi 2.7 - alt. 5,781 ft - Trail
4 : mi 3.57 - alt. 5,587 ft - Les Meyries
S/E : mi 4.72 - alt. 4,524 ft - Trail car park. Near the - Aigue Agelle (rivière) - Affluent du Guil

Notes

This group outing required the use of hiking crampons. This was because the stream crossing at La Pissarote was frozen over.
From that point onwards, there was snow but it was packed down, so snowshoes were not required.

Worth a visit

Maison de l’Artisanat
See also an alternative route for this route here

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

Pasnog

09 Sep 2024 at 11:03 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk along the balcony, perfect for warming up. We pushed on to the Borels chapel.

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Domdt08

10 Sep 2023 at 19:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk to relax and discover the flora!

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GEGECA

12 Jul 2021 at 09:33 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a fitness walk, not difficult. (First hike of our stay in Queyrassin)
The only downside for us was that we encountered a flock of sheep (around 1,500) whose enclosure
occupied the path, so we had to go around them because the sheepdogs were present.
As a result, we lost our way but found it again 500 m further up and the hike
continued peacefully.
There were some very beautiful views of the Pic de l'Agrenier, the Pic Foréant, the Pointe de Rasis, the
Dent du Ratier, Sommet Bûcher

GEGECA

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Pierre.grld

29 Jun 2021 at 18:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend doing the route in the opposite direction so that you can see the valley on the way down (otherwise you're surrounded by pine trees).

Very beautiful panoramas and flower-filled pastures.

We saw cows.
At the end of June, there was no one around and all the flowers were in bloom!

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patricklef50

13 Jul 2020 at 20:51 7200 • Edited: 13 Jul 2020 at 20:53 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Astragalus flowers begin to bloom. We pushed on to the Chavlet de Borel chapel.
A pleasant, flower-filled route.
Be careful in the village on the way back, as the signposting is incorrect. Walk past the foot of the church.

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xsara13

16 Jul 2018 at 09:16 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nice walk, the astragalus were starting to bloom. Just one downside on the way back: in the village of Meyries, the signposts send you straight into someone's garden, so be sure to walk past the church and the old chapel.

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Nalle

23 Apr 2018 at 20:48 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's very pleasant at the end of April, as we're on a south-facing slope that's very green and spring-like, with the scent of pine trees, while opposite it's still the middle of black and white winter.
The climb is easy, but you have to make a detour via Pierre Fichée, which is not done here (+400m return).
It is essential to stand high up at the Villar ruins to admire the clearings around you: wait just five minutes before you see foxes, deer and squirrels.