The Blanchet and Longet lakes from the Agnel refuge

(S/E) Head south-east, cross the road and head towards the Refuge Agnel.

(1) Leave the latter on your right and head south-east towards the Col Agnel.

(2) At the GR® junction, follow the GR®58 to the right towards the Col de Chamoussière. Climb up the scree to the pass.

(3) Begin the descent with the GR®58 towards Saint-Véran/Refuge de la Blanche.

(4) After about 200 m, leave the GR®58 and turn left onto the path leading to the Refuge de la Blanche.

(5) Pass between the refuge and Lac de la Blanche, staying on the marked trail.

(6) Leave the trail leading to Col Blanchet and turn right.

(7) After about 300 m, turn left towards the Col de La Noire.

(8) At the pass, leave Queyras and descend towards Ubaye and Lac de la Noire. Pass the latter and continue towards the GRP® du Tour du Bric de Rubren

(9) Join the GRP® and follow it to the left. Climb up to the Col de Longet.

(10) Descend on the other side, pass between two lakes and reach the Colle del Longet.

(11) Head left (northwest).

(12) This section is poorly marked as it is rarely used. Aim for the path visible on the opposite side of the valley descending from Col Blanchet. There is a path that appears to continue to the left towards Tête des Toillies and also leads to the Col Blanchet and Rocca Del Nigro junction.

(13) Once you have rejoined the path, continue to the left.

(14) Pass Lago Della Niera under the Tête des Toillies.

(15) After about 500 m, turn right towards "Rocca Del Nigro". After leaving the trail leading to this peak, continue left towards Lago del Nigro.

(16) At this lake, turn left towards Col Blanchet.

(17) At the pass, descend towards the Vallon du Blanchet.

(18) When you reach Lac Blanchet Inférieur, go around it on the left towards Lac Blanchet Supérieur. Follow the lake to its end, then climb up towards the ridge.

(19) Keep right towards Col de Saint-Véran.

(20) At the pass, continue straight ahead on the ridge.

(21) Leave the trail leading to Pic de Caramantran on your right and head towards Col de Chamoussière.

(3) At the pass, descend via the GR®58 to the car park (S/E).

There are several refuges (manned or unmanned) and potential bivouac areas (around Lac du Longet).
Check the regulations in force at the time of your hike for the planned bivouac area.

Information on refuges and bivouacs: Refuge-agnel; Refuge-de-la-blanche; Bivacco-Enrico-Olivero.

As the hike is long in terms of distance and duration (9 hours), check the weather forecast carefully (conditions can change quickly in the mountains).

For those who wish to do the hike in one day, bring the usual items for mountain hiking, including:
- drink and eat
- protection from the weather (sun, rain, wind, cold, etc.),
- lighting (torch) in case the hike ends late.

For the options mentioned at (11) and (12), prepare well in advance as there is no network coverage.
You will need to obtain a map of the area in advance, or an app with an offline map that includes this area of Italy.
The trail (13) is clearly visible in good weather from the Col du Longet (11) and the trail on the small ridge leading to (12).