Col Agnel - L'Echalp

Fifth stage with the recommended ascent of Pain de Sucre.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour du Queyras

Details

2904
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 637 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,512 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,168 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,697 m

Description of the walk

On leaving the refuge (S), cross the road and take theGR®58(signposted). Wind your way through the mountain pastures to the Col Vieux (2806).

(1) Take the path on the right that leads to Pain de Sucre. This path is marked with cairns and it is advisable to follow the fluorescent orange markers that line the route.

(2) Once you have completed the ascent, descend to Col Vieux via the same route.

(1) Continue northwards for the rest of the day. First, walk along the Foréant lakes, then Egourgeou (make a detour to the right to see the nearby Baricle lake).

(3) Continue north to enter the forest, walk past the Chalet de Médille before beginning the final descent, which ends on a large flat area on the left bank of the Guil.

(4) Continue along the track, cross the Guil via the bridge and head for the lodge opposite in the hamlet of L'Echalp (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,572 m - Refuge Agnel
  2. 1 : km 1.78 - alt. 2,808 m - Col Vieux
  3. 2 : km 2.87 - alt. 3,168 m - Le Pain de Sucre (Queyras)
  4. 3 : km 7.33 - alt. 2,403 m - Lac Egorgéou
  5. 4 : km 11.69 - alt. 1,714 m - Left bank of the - Guil (rivière)
  6. E : km 12.56 - alt. 1,706 m - Gîte 7° Est

Notes

There are a few springs along the route: they all come out of the ground and the water they produce is very fresh.
The Echalp lodge (7°East) marks the end of the stage.

Worth a visit

Although tricky, the ascent of Pain de Sucre is a must. As I mentioned, be sure to follow the fluorescent markers and avoid the many shortcuts that lead to slabs that are very slippery when wet. At the summit, you will have a remarkable view of Aiguillette d'Asti and, above all, Mont Viso.
At the start of the lodge, you will see the ruins of the Napoleon refuge. This refuge, like five others in the Hautes Alpes, was built under Napoleon III. These lodges are: Col Lacroix (very close to Echalp), Cols de Mense and du Noyer (above Gap), Col de Vars (above Guillestre) and finally Col d'Izoard (above Briançon).

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
itachi
itachi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike.

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mesokanto
mesokanto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb view of Mount Viso. Passes close to Lake Foreant and Lake Egorgé.

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Bunny 13
Bunny 13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Sugar Loaf Mountain: put your bags down before climbing up. Beautiful view. Be careful if it's cloudy.
The lakes are great.
Good refuge. Average bivouac near L'Echalp.
There is a campsite 800 metres away. Cool atmosphere...

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levant1
levant1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello
Very beautiful hike
Correction to the walking time: the hike is listed as taking 6½ hours, but we completed it in 4½ hours, walking at a good pace but not particularly fast. I think it could be listed as taking 5 hours.

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gerard.b
gerard.b

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Walking time: 4 hours + 10-minute break at Pain de Sucre and 50-minute snack break. Markings to the boundary of Pain de Sucre.

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