Loop of the Refuge de Furfande

This is a particularly pleasant route, starting in the woods and then passing through beautiful mountain pastures, crossing the alpine village of Granges de Furfande and ending at the refuge below the pass of the same name.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 767 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 768 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,478 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,886 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In the village of Villargaudin, continue along the tarmac road to quickly rejoin the forest track, which you follow to the large car park at the Queyron chalets.

(S/E) Head towards the chalets, following the red and yellow markings ofthe GRP® Tour de la Dent de Ratier. The short descent passes the Queyron before crossing the woods.

(1) Continue along this magnificent trail until you reach the first crossroads, where you will find a trail leading up to Le Châtelard.

(2) Keep right on theGRP®, following a nearly horizontal path to reach a second crossroads. Here, rejoin theGR®58, which also climbs up to Châtelard.

(3) Continue along this path, which is now shared and marked only in white and red. Take a few easy switchbacks to reach the Col de la Lauze.

(4) Take the path on the left, leaving theGR®, and continue along this balcony path. After a very slight descent but a fairly long walk, you will reach the Chalets de Furfande nestled at the bottom of the valley.

(5) Here, tackle a short but relatively dry climb to reach the junction with a newGR® trail, the 541, clearly marked by a yellow sign.
Take it on the right, crossing the Granges de Furfande chalets at a distance. You will come to another crossroads at a wayside shrine on the right.

(6) Keep left and continue climbing to reach the Col de Furfande.

(7) Turn right onto theGR®58and begin a rapid descent to reach the Refuge de Furfande.

(8) Continue the descent, still onthe GR®58. This easy descent will take you back to the Col de la Lauze crossroads.

(4) Retrace your steps to return to the Queyron car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,968 m - Queyron car park
  2. 1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1,916 m - Le Queyron (1884m)
  3. 2 : km 0.86 - alt. 1,894 m - Châtelard crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.22 - alt. 1,944 m - GR58 crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.73 - alt. 2,077 m - Col de la Lauze (1970m)
  6. 5 : km 5.2 - alt. 2,023 m - Granges de Furfande
  7. 6 : km 7.17 - alt. 2,290 m - Crossroads oratory
  8. 7 : km 8.48 - alt. 2,472 m - Col de Furfande (2456m)
  9. 8 : km 9.39 - alt. 2,291 m - Refuge de Furfande
  10. S/E : km 13.57 - alt. 1,967 m - Queyron car park

Notes

GR®541crossroads: ThisGR® trail connects the twoGR® trails 54 (Tour des Écrins or Tour de l'Oisans) and 58 (Tour du Queyras).

Worth a visit

Please be courteous, as this route between the Granges de Furfande and the eponymous refuge passes through a series of chalets, almost all of which are inhabited in summer. Please respect these places and behave in a friendly, polite and courteous manner towards the inhabitants, which is unfortunately not always the case.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
pdereumaux
pdereumaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Departure from the Queyron car park, reasonable number of visitors (still a few spaces available).
We did the tour in reverse, first to the refuge and then back through the mountain pastures among the chalets.
In the first part, the climb to the refuge was easy, as described, and we received an excellent welcome at the Furfande refuge.
Return loop via the chalets of Furfande, a peaceful and magnificent spot.
The hike was well frequented, also by mountain bikes.

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Randophil57
Randophil57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route...certainly one of the most beautiful in the region, in our opinion.
The suggested route is constantly on a balcony with superb views of the surrounding peaks, and the passage through the Furfande chalets, built on three levels, is magnificent.
Please note that access to the car park at the start is easy via a beautiful track...

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83Isa
83Isa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, even if it is relatively busy! Very varied (rocks, mountain pastures, refuge, hamlet, herds, in short, very representative of the mountains). The small road and then the track to reach the car park are narrow (especially the road), but no problems. However, at the beginning of July, we didn't meet anyone. It may be more complicated during holiday periods. A must-do hike!

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Chris3084
Chris3084

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 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 route accompanied by the cries of marmots, especially when approaching Furfande.
The route is very well marked thanks to the many hikers who pass through throughout the summer.
You can spend the night at Le Queyron (camper van, tent, etc.). There are designated campfire sites with plenty of dry wood for a short blaze. At Le Queyron, there are several fountains/springs so you don't need to carry too much water. The same applies along the route and at Furfande.

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contemple
contemple

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

we followed the directions, except that the road through the forest to reach the starting point is a bit daunting at first, at least when leaving the village (there is no room to pass other vehicles on some sections), so we decided to park the car at the first "crossroads" of forest roads and finish on foot to reach the car park... we realised we had made the wrong decision, as it got better further on.

Otherwise, it was a very good walk, done when there was snow on the pass.
The refuge was very nice and well equipped.

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bg05
bg05

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the tour in reverse, passing by the refuge first and not climbing up to the pass due to very low clouds and high humidity. We passed by the Valette and Lauzon lakes and returned via the balcony trail. A beautiful hike that wasn't too difficult

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MarcB34
MarcB34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, we loved it!

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monal
monal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike with impressive landscapes after the Col de la Lauze. We stopped for a picnic at the refuge, where we enjoyed some well-deserved refreshments.

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Alain Chapel
Alain Chapel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb loop in good weather! Top-notch guidebook!

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sergio083
sergio083

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An unforgettable hike because it's so beautiful. A 5-star hike.

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RMD
RMD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a good balance of effort.

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abeauville
abeauville

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that allows you to discover the well-maintained chalets and barns of Furfande. Spectacular views from the balcony trail after the Col de la Lauze.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Loop route following the same itinerary to the Furfande oratory.
From the oratory, we took a path that led directly to the refuge.
The next day, we climbed Pic du Gazon via the Col de Furfande before returning to the car park
back to the car park.
I made a video with the names of the peaks, which gives a good impression of the atmosphere of our trip and this Furfande loop.
https://youtu.be/TdxJCGbB2G4
The refuge, run by a mountain guide, has been completely renovated and is very nice.

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marcheurs07
marcheurs07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Nothing to say about the signage, which was very clear. Pretty alpine landscape. The chalets in Furfande are magnificent. We stopped at the refuge for refreshments and a delicious tart.

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Claude-Meignen
Claude-Meignen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, without any major difficulties. Magnificent landscapes (the valley of the Furfande barns is enchanting)
A bit busy
Well signposted

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