The Curlet Cross

de fr

From the Curlet cross, there is a superb view of Saint Véran, the highest village in Europe, and the entire upper Queyras, from the Col d'Izoard to the Col Agnel.

Details

n°2708
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.74 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 569 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 562 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,399 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,847 m
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The Curlet cross
Saint-Véran

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the mill bridge in Saint Véran. Cross the Aiguë Blanche, then climb south-west on theGR® 58 which leads to the Col des Estronques.

(1) After 300 m, leave theGR® trail, which branches off to the right, and head straight up towards the Croix de Curlet (signpost and yellow markings) through a larch forest. The climb is quite steep but steady and well marked.

(2) Pass the ruins of the Lamaron huts, then turn left, still following the yellow markings. You will reach the Croix de Curlet.

(3) Then take the path that follows the ridge south-east towards the Pic de Cascavelier.

(4) At around 2,400 metres, descend straight down the slope (beware of the risk of wind slabs further along the ridge). Reach the Lamaron huts.

(2) Continue the descent, either via the ascent path or, if the snow is good, by continuing down the slope towards the north-west to join theGR®58towards the confluence of the Rifs de Lamaron, Flattes and Chatelard

(5) Continue on theGR® to the mill bridge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,847 m - Mill Bridge - Aigue blanche
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 1,882 m - GR58 PR crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 2,240 m - Laramon huts
  4. 3 : km 2.41 - alt. 2,299 m - Curlet Cross
  5. 4 : km 3.25 - alt. 2,399 m - Curlet ridge
  6. 5 : km 5.03 - alt. 1,942 m - Confluence of the rifs
  7. S/E : km 5.74 - alt. 1,847 m - Mill Bridge

Notes

In winter, there are no water sources. The equipment required is that of a snowshoe hiker, with safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) if you follow the route described. If you are only going to and from the Curlet cross, strictly following the ascent route, this equipment is not necessary.

Worth a visit

Visit Saint Véran, the highest village in Europe, "where roosters peck at the stars".

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 3573989

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's interesting to push a little further along the line.

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Pasnog
Pasnog

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant walk, beautiful view of Saint Véran and a nice little ridge. The climb through the woods is a bit tough.

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Randamont
Randamont

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A tough climb, but a beautiful panorama and a bird's eye view of the village of St Véran, the highest commune in Europe (not the highest village, which is an important distinction).
The walk along the ridge path is pleasant (there and back), easy, and offers a splendid view of Mont Viso

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FRJ
FRJ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking with crampons and snowshoes. Beautiful view of Saint-Véran at Croix de Curlet.

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Gomez Carlos
Gomez Carlos

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The return route via the confluence of the Rifs and GR58 is very poorly signposted. It was difficult to find the path on this snowy day.
The path to the starting point at the mill bridge was very icy. I strongly advise against taking the car: it is better to leave it on the main road (car park just before Le Raux)

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Zou48
Zou48

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with breathtaking views of the Blanche Valley and the village. We extended our walk to the foot of Pic Cascavelier, which gave us the chance to see some chamois and even encounter one coming towards us as we descended towards Croix Curlet.

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atraver
atraver

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

stunning view from the ridges

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manapani51
manapani51

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific to Brittany, pleasant route with superb views of St Veran and the surrounding peaks
The climb to Pic Cascavelier is more challenging due to a lack of signposting.

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jlf13
jlf13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in fine, cold weather on packed snow with a few patches of black ice on the climb through the woods. At Croix de Curlet, there is a magnificent view over the Aigue Blanche valley. We continued a little beyond the planned route towards Pic de Cascavelier to get another view. On the way back, we retraced our steps, as at this time of year the sun disappears quickly in the valley. We continued the descent without snowshoes on the hard ground.

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Elsarita
Elsarita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from Saint-Véran.
It wasn't possible to descend via the wild route from the Lamaron huts, so we had to retrace our steps.
But it was a very beautiful loop, with few people around at this time of year.

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les ramiers
les ramiers

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

During this season, we only encountered five hikers.
We were lucky enough to see five chamois and a few marmots.
The larch trees are a beautiful green in June.
It's true that the start is steep, especially after two months of lockdown, but if you follow the yellow markings, the going is easier.
On the way back, we took the same path at the ruins.
A pleasant hike for a return to hiking

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waloo26
waloo26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very detailed guide, keep up the good work!

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PAPY JACQUES
PAPY JACQUES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful, relatively short hike. The estimated time is very generous (we completed it in 3 hours without really going fast). The ridge trail is superb. We recommend taking the descent (from the Lamaron huts) down the slope to the Chatelard torrent, then following the torrent. This wild route is much more interesting than the forest trail. Elevation gain
+/- 650 m

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daubram05
daubram05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Snowshoes will carry us to the magnificent viewpoint overlooking the village of Saint Véran, a winter must-see on the Curlet ridge, whether on snowshoes or skis. From the ridge, wherever you look, the view is spectacular.
And why is it called the mill bridge, why is there a cross on the ridge, and is the Laramon hut a landmark for yetis?
You'll find out everything here.
https://youtu.be/q_2YkO4eBQU

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gbmcd
gbmcd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Good morning, lovely walk.

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