Saint-Véran – Agnel Mountain Hut

(S) This new stage starts from the Gîte des Gabelous in Saint-Véran. Take the tarmac road, the D5, which you used to climb the day before, and carry on straight ahead, heading south-east. Follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®®} 58.

(1) At the first junction, take the wide track that descends to the right towards the bed of the Aigue Blanche stream.

(2) Cross the Pont Vieux and continue to the left, along the left bank of the river. The forest track climbs gradually to the edge of the larch forest and at the foot of the Pointe des Marcelettes, the Pic Marcel, the Pointe des Avers and the Tête de Longuet.
You will then come out onto a footpath. The gradient becomes steeper. To the left lies the Pic de Château Renard and its observatory, at nearly 3,000 m. Before beginning the ascent through the larch trees, you will see the remains of the old Saint-Véran copper mines on the left. Continue towards the Clausis Chapel until you reach a wide track.

(3) Continue along the track to the right for about 300 m, until you reach another junction.

(4) Turn left and climb up to the beautiful Clausis Chapel. Walk past the chapel and take a path back to the previous junction.

(3) Take the path on the right, which climbs steeply to the right towards the Chamoussière and Saint-Véran passes on the^GR®®58. You’ll reach a junction at the Rocher des Marrous.

(5) Leave the^GR®® 58, which climbs directly to the Col de Chamoussière. Continue straight on along the path leading directly to the Col de la Cavale or the Col de Saint-Véran and the Pic de Caramantran. At the start of the season, there are still many snowfields at this altitude.
The landscape has become very rocky and the ground is covered with slate. Upon reaching the pass, you can enjoy a unique view of Monte Viso – Italy’s highest peak, at an altitude of 3,800 metres, covered in a thick blanket of snow and ice. From there, you can see the Rocca-Bianca, the Tête des Toillies, the Tête de Longuet and the Péouvou, to name but a few.

(6) Head left, following the slate-covered ridge – there is no proper path – to reach the summit of the Pic de Caramantran, which overlooks the valley and the Col Agnel on the northern slope. The drop is impressive, offering a unique view of the Viso and Italy, and to the north, the Grand Queyras, the Pain de Sucre, and so on.

(7) Then descend due west towards the Col de Chamoussiére. Take care, as the ground is very unstable.

(8) Continue the descent to the right, towards the refuge and Col Agnel, which you can see below. The path crosses a very rocky terrain, including gravel pits, slate and scree slopes. You’ll reach a first junction leading directly to the refuge, which you should leave on your left. Carry on straight ahead until the next junction.

(9) Take the path on the right to reach Col Agnel. At this point, the peace and quiet comes to an end, but the view is well worth the effort.

(10) Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(9) Carry on straight ahead to the magnificent Refuge Agnel. The bivouac area is on the other side of the road, more than 200 m from the refuge (E).

There are plenty of water points throughout this stage.
Binoculars and a camera are a must. Don’t forget that this 9-day route is a mountain trek, which requires a good level of fitness and suitable kit, even in summer. The weather can change very quickly, as can temperature fluctuations.

The Pic de Caramantran is an absolute must-do, with no major technical difficulties for a 3,000-metre peak.

(4) The Clausis Chapel is also well worth a visit
Formerly known as the Cloussis Chapel or Crousis Chapel, built in 1846 and renovated in 1988, the chapel is the venue for a celebration held in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel every year on 16 July, bringing together the Queyrassins of Saint Véran and the Italians of Chianale. Excerpt
(7) Pic de Caramantran: view of Monte Viso: this peak is situated in the Italian Piedmont, but borders the territory of the Queyras Regional Nature Park; it is the highest peak in the Cottian Alps (3,841 m), hence its name, the ‘Giant of the Cottian Alps’.
You may be lucky enough to see the famous fog known as ‘Nebbia’, which rises from the Po Valley and stops at the border.