The Saint-Simon Chapel at the start of the Rua

There are many high-altitude chapels in Queyras. This one above Molines, located in a large cirque, is particularly worth a visit.

Details

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Creation:
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.80 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 594 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 587 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,198 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,668 m

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the containers at the entrance to the hamlet of La Rua.

(S/E) Head south on a slight descent to quickly reach the Pont des Achins

:1:: Cross the Aigue Agnelle torrent and take the wide track on the right that follows theGRP® Tour de la Dent de Ratier. At the first crossroads, leave theGRP® trail straight ahead and take the good yellow-marked path on the left. After the third hairpin bend, leave the path on the left and take the one on the right. This path winds through the Rif de l'Adroit de la Rose valley and, after a steep climb, joins thePR® trail coming from Molines at a hairpin bend.

(2) Continue climbing by taking the path opposite (signposted Chapelle Saint-Simon) to reach the junction of the Col des Prés de Fromage and the Cabane de Clot Henry. Continue towards this hut and continue to the edge of the forest.

(3) Then turn right towards Col des Prés de Fromage.

(4) Signs indicate the different directions: take the south-east path leading to Chapelle Saint-Simon. The path climbs slightly then emerges above the chapel, almost horizontally.

(5) Turn right onto the path starting at the foot of the cross. Continue through the woods to reach Clot Henry.

(3) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction to Pont des Achins.

(1). Then climb up the track on the right, which takes you through the hamlet of La Rua, where you can see some beautiful wooden chalets, before reaching the La Rua container car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,699 m - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet of La Rua.
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 1,669 m - Pont des Achins - Aigue Agelle (rivière) - Affluent du Guil
  3. 2 : km 1.81 - alt. 2,032 m - PR crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 2,091 m - Clot Henry crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.84 - alt. 2,146 m - Col des Prés de Fromage (2150m)
  6. 5 : km 3.69 - alt. 2,192 m - Saint-Simon Chapel
  7. S/E : km 6.8 - alt. 1,699 m - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet of La Rua.

Notes

Hike done on snowshoes, but following the summer trails.
Shelter at the Cabane de Clot Henry. Overnight accommodation available... but please respect the premises.

Worth a visit

All the villages and hamlets in the Blanche valley, the main ones being Molines en Queyras and, of course, Saint-Véran.

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Claudio77
Claudio77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

From La Chalp, climb to La Chapelle, then Col des Prés de Fromage, descend back towards La Seiche, the Molines resort, and return to La Chalp (this return journey is a little "unpleasant" because the path is currently often "a little rutted" by forestry operators...).

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dede53
dede53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

After a steep climb, as usual, we arrive at the Alpages and the Henri hut, a haven of relaxation. The option to climb to the summit of Le Bucher is a great way to round off the hike. Thank you.

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Louron65
Louron65

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Despite poor snow conditions in the Queyras massif, this hike was possible with snowshoes. The arrival at the chapel is splendid.

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PAPY JACQUES
PAPY JACQUES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Wanting to avoid a return trip (always tedious), from the outset, I continued on the GR country trail "around the Dent du Ratier" towards Ville Vieille. A beautiful trail in the sun with a passage above the "Demoiselle Coiffée". At the first intersection, follow the sign for "Sommet Bucher" on the left. A very beautiful, wild trail covered in snow. Turn left at the intersection with a track, follow it up two bends, cross the Charmanière fence, continue along the track for about 1 km, then turn left onto a very steep forest trail (climbing wedges) that takes you below the "Sommet Bucher". Climb to the summit (small hut and orientation tables). Then descend to the Col des Prés de Fromage. Continue the hike without change.
Very beautiful landscapes seen from the chapel.
Duration: 5 hours. Elevation gain: 750 m.

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hiker38
hiker38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful panoramic views at Col des Prés Fromage.

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bertin.huguette
bertin.huguette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful mountain scenery

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SGL
SGL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful snowshoe hike.
At the Col du Près Fromage, don't hesitate to go and admire the view from the summit of Bucher!

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rando28
rando28

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Thanks for this overview. There's a beautiful 360° panorama on the way to Mount Bucher, on the right from the Col du Près Fromage pass.

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