Col des Ayes (2477m) walks

This fourteenth stage completes the crossing of the Queyras Massif. From La Chalp, the GR® 5 climbs along the left bank of the Torrent de l’Izoard above Arvieux, then reaches the hamlet of Les Maisons. From there, it heads towards Lac de Roue before descending to Château-Queyras. The route climbs the steep slope on the opposite side, on the right bank of the Torrent de Bramousse, joins a road at a hairpin bend and leaves it at the next one. It continues through the torrent’s valley, reaches the ridge separating the Bramousse and Riou Vert valleys, and, hugging the hillside beneath the peaks of La Selle and Rasis, reaches the Col Fromage. The path descends along the right bank of the Ravin de Rasis to reach Le Villard before arriving at Ceillac, from where it follows the Torrent du Mélezet, alternating between the left and right banks, before reaching the Refuge de la Cime du Mélezet.

Étape du GR®5 de La Chalp à Ceillac par le Col du Fromage dans le Queyras authentique et sauvage en passant par Chateau-Queyras.

Instead of taking the ‘classic’ ascent via the forest road, opt for a route that climbs more steeply and features much more technical single-track sections – this will give you a good warm-up for the descent towards Les Granges de Furfande, then on to Le Queyron and finally back to Arvieux. I’ve only described the ascent route here. For the descent, use the Col de Furfande route guide , described by morgiou13, available at (2). Given the difficulty of the climb (steep sections and tight, steep hairpin bends), this route is best suited to e-MTBs.

Ascent to the Furfande Refuge from Arvieux via theGR®58. Hike completed on 5 July 2018 as part of a route.

A hike with some very steep and vertiginous sections! This hike is a variation on the one marked as PR®.

This high-altitude walk, accessible from the Télémix des Chalmettes and the Gondrans chairlift, will allow you to discover several magnificent spots such as Lake Gignoux and the Cime Saurel, all whilst enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

This route, starting from the Sommet des Anges and accessible via the Télémix des Chalmettes followed by the Télésiège des Gondrans, will allow you to discover several magnificent viewpoints as you pass through the Col du Gondran and its small lake, Lac Gignoux, the Col de Gimont and the small pass of Collet Vert.

This high-altitude route will allow you to explore the famous Chenaillet Geological Trail, as well as Lac de Chaussé and the source of the Doire. This walk is accessible via the Chalmettes Télémix and the Gondrans chairlift.

This walk, starting from the Furfande refuge, will take you past the magnificent barns and chalets of Furfande and lead you along a path running along a ridge above the Queyras valley, where the River Guil winds its way through, then on to Souliers via an ascent from the hamlet of Les Moullins in the Arvieux valley.

This is the first stage of the tour and is an adaptation as the route is not on theGR®58, but it allows you to visit the castle that dominates the Guil pass. (Please note) The Montbardon stopover lodge (Le Cadran Solaire) has been closed since 2018, so the best option from Château Queyras is to go directly to Ceillac via the Col Fromage. (Important note): See this website mentioning the reopening of this lodge for summer 2023.