The Crête des Granges

Access to a bare ridge between Queyras and Briançonnais.

Details

8270
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 740 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 738 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,827 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,122 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Briançon, take the road to the Col d’Izoard, pass through Cervières and then Le Laus, and park in the car park at a left-hand bend at an altitude of 2,130 metres.
(S/E) Take the wide track leading to the Chalets d’Izoard (signposted ‘Fort de la Lausette’). Head towards them.

(1) Pass the ruined chalets and leave the fort trail on your right to take a path through the mountain pasture that follows the dry stream.
Cross the stream and reach a small lake.

(2) Leave the main path on the right, which leads to the Col des Peygus, and head up to the left (the path is intermittent). The route is clear, however, as you can see the Col de la Roya opposite.
Climb in a zigzag pattern up the slope, sometimes over rocks, sometimes through the grass.
Emerge at the Col de la Roya.

(3) Take the cairn-marked path on the right leading to a first summit, then continue left along a rough track to reach the highest point, which is about 100m further on.

(4) Descend via the same route to return to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,125 m - Car park at the bend at 2130m
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 2,187 m - Chalets d'Izoard
  3. 2 : km 1.94 - alt. 2,392 m - Small lake
  4. 3 : km 2.85 - alt. 2,690 m - Col de la Roya
  5. 4 : km 3.61 - alt. 2,789 m - Sommet des Granges
  6. S/E : km 7.2 - alt. 2,125 m - Car park at the bend at 2130m

Notes

There is no water along this route apart from a thin trickle of water emerging upstream of the small lake, which barely feeds it.
Essential hiking gear: sturdy high-top boots, walking poles.
This route is not recommended for those prone to vertigo and requires some experience of mountain hiking. As it takes place off the beaten track, it is also advisable to have a good understanding of the terrain to find the right path.

Worth a visit

The Crête des Granges offers a remarkable viewpoint over the Ecrins, the Queyras, the Chambeyron and also Mont Viso (when the clouds aren’t hiding it).

There is also a beautiful view of the nearby Col d’Izoard, a pass famous among other hikers, such as our cycling friends.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
brunissard
brunissard

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A word of warning for those who are prone to this!!!

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beaber
beaber
• Edited:

Why are you reacting like this? And why do you think I’m inexperienced? Surprising for a so-called mountaineer. There was no cairn, but that’s not a problem as you can see the destination. Did you want me to find the route effective when it isn’t? And rest assured, I don’t need one to enjoy this sort of
hike. I’ll amend my comment, however, as it wasn’t meant to be negative, let alone critical.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello, and many thanks for this comment, which leaves me rather sceptical. The route is disappointing; the path is hard to find, but there’s no risk of getting lost. That’s pretty much what I mentioned in the description, noting that the tracks were very erratic. Furthermore, I mentioned that this route is best tackled by experienced hikers who know how to find their way. Perhaps that is why you found yourself alone on this route. Enjoy the rest of your time on the site.

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beaber
beaber
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not a soul in sight in the middle of August – a real bonus! No sign of the trail, just a single cairn spotted. But we can see the destination, so there’s no risk of getting lost. A rocky landscape just the way we like it. Absolutely stunning.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike off the beaten track to a summit offering a stunning panoramic view.
I’ve made a video showing the route and the atmosphere of this walk.

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Jonathan Lelievre
Jonathan Lelievre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely little hike with beautiful autumn colours! Do watch out for the sheepdogs herding the flocks as you cross the Aravet plateau on the Izoard.

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zweig100
zweig100

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A brilliant hike. No trouble at all finding the right route. I have a GPS and an IGN map. Your website helps me find circular routes so I don’t have to retrace my steps. I’ve only just discovered it, but it’s been really useful for exploring trails off the GR network. Thanks

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