Chateau Queyras - Montbardon

The first stage of this tour starts from Château Queyras. Park your vehicle in the car park by the Guil.

(S) Cross the car park and take the^GR®5(white-red signposts and markers) opposite. Take the path heading south, join the Bucher summit road and follow it to Pré Premier.

(1) Continue south on the^GR® to the Fontaine Rouge crossroads (altitude 2125m).

(2) Then turn right at 180°, leaving the^GR®58to take the^GRP® du Tour de la Dent de Ratier. This path through the woods is almost flat and leads to the Bergerie de la Sommette (red and yellow sign and markings).

(Please note) Due to the closure of the Cadran Solaire lodge in Montbardon, continue south on the^GR®5. Reach the Col Fromage and begin the descent to Ceillac via the^GR®5and then the^GR®558 from the hamlet of Villard.

(3) At the sheepfold, the trail heads west. After about 1 km, join a trail climbing up from the Bois du Peyron. Turn left and head south, then west, cutting across the forest track to reach Montbardon and the Cadran Solaire lodge (E), today's destination.

Water source: Fontaine Rouge
Lodge: in Montbardon (this lodge has been closed since early 2018), it will reopen for summer 2023
In Montbardon, a cheese shop allows you to stock up on supplies for the next day.

At Château Queyras, the fort overlooking the valley is worth a visit. It was in this castle that some scenes from the film Le Hussard sur le Toit were shot.
Above, the Bucher summit dominates the valley and is a strategic point that covers the valley with its multiple transmitters (radio, television and, above all, mobile telephony).

Fort Queyras is open to visitors from 1 May to 5 November. For more information, click here.
You will be charged a reduced rate of €10 instead of €13 for the visit to the fort if you show the information sheet for this hike.