The Sugar Loaf

A short, challenging hike to a first-class viewpoint on Mont Viso, which, at an altitude of 3,208 metres, offers a magnificent 360° panorama of Italy and the Queyras.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 593 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 593 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,165 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,572 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Molines-en-Queyras, take the D205T to the Refuge Agnel (2,580 m) located on the right of the road, then park either in the refuge car park or in the car park on the left of the road 250 m further on.

(S/E) From the refuge, go up the road to the first hairpin bend, then take theGR®58(red and white markings) on the left to Col Vieux.

(1) Take the path to the south-east to reach and then follow the base of the Pain de Sucre.

(2) Take the path on the right. It is the one furthest to the right that allows you to climb up. Cross the slabs following the right side of the western ridge of the peak (this is also the easiest route, as taught to me by a local hiker).

As you approach the summit, the trail disappears into the rocks and you have to climb the last slabs using your hands a little.

(3) Return in the opposite direction to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,572 m - Parking - Refuge Agnel
  2. 1 : km 1.71 - alt. 2,808 m - Col Vieux
  3. 2 : km 2.29 - alt. 2,932 m - Trail junction
  4. 3 : km 3.02 - alt. 3,165 m - Le Pain de Sucre (Queyras)
  5. S/E : km 6 - alt. 2,572 m - Parking

Notes

(S/E) The car park mentioned is the one at the refuge; it is best to park in the second car park.

I made a video that describes this route well.

This climb is a little exposed as you approach the summit. However, we saw a whole club of hikers making it up there. Those who are afraid of heights should perhaps refrain from attempting this climb.

 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 36 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
pdf06
pdf06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not many people at this time of year. A pleasant hike if you like rocky terrain. Beautiful view at the end

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Gilles 14
Gilles 14

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Quite a demanding hike, but the incredible view from the summit is well worth the effort

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Floren
Floren

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Difficult hike, with sections where you need to use your hands to hold on. There are several trails to ascend and descend. However, it is well worth the effort, as the view from the summit is magnificent.

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FaceSud
FaceSud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy climbing and popular up to the top at 3,200 metres
Little risk of rockfall as the slope is gentle
Not recommended for those prone to vertigo

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Olivier2607
Olivier2607

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An impressive hike with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, undoubtedly due to its shape, but the climb is easy.
Very good.

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abeauville
abeauville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A classic route. From the summit, there is a magnificent view of Monte Viso and its neighbours (Granero, Meidassa). At the beginning of July, there were still two snowfields to cross, but they were not difficult.

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stefaix
stefaix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike and superb views. The last few metres are a little more difficult, with some slab walking

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Greg83
Greg83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Thanks for the route suggestion. The view from the summit is just amazing! And the ridge beyond the cross is a bit dizzying
The route is easy to follow with the red markings and the view ahead. There are often several possible routes. The slope is steep on the way up, but the descent is easy: the terrain is less unstable than I imagined.

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jpsa
jpsa

Well signposted. If you take the path on the right when you see a possible route on the right, you will arrive at the bottom. Don't hesitate, otherwise you will hit the rocky outcrop

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jpsa
jpsa

Well indicated, no problems

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LepaysanB
LepaysanB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb 360° view from the summit with VISO in the foreground. Be careful on the descent, as the route tends to veer to the right towards the rocky outcrop!

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jpsa
jpsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I had already done it and it's still as beautiful as ever, and still just as easy to get lost 🤭, especially on the way down, where the temptation to go faster straight down quickly leads you over the rocky ledge and you have to climb back up to take another route 🤣

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Lululamarmotte
Lululamarmotte
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike! The first part to the Col Vieux is easily accessible, in a magnificent alpine setting. You can see marmots, ibexes, and more.
The second part is all rocky and you have to find your way using cairns and red markings. It's also quite steep and exposed. However, you can reach the summit without too much difficulty, and the superb panorama is well worth the effort!

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Gaelle31
Gaelle31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hike completed on 18 September 2022 in very clear weather with no clouds on the horizon. The path is clearly visible
No particular difficulties unless you are prone to vertigo.
Magnificent view of Mont Viso (Italian) and the Mont Blanc massif. However, be careful at the summit on the Italian side, where there is a steep cliff. We learned upon arriving at the summit that an Italian hiker fell in July while trying to take a photo.
The summit can also be reached via the Col d'Agnel.

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Cyril25
Cyril25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb up to Pain de Sucre isn't too difficult. You need to use your hands a little at the end to "climb", but it's nothing you can't handle.
The route is fairly busy on the first section up to Col Vieux.

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