Tour of the Pic des Toillies

Starting from the Chapelle des Clausis, we will circle a remarkable peak, passing through three mountain passes and making a short detour into Italy. Numerous lakes and the beautiful Refuge de la Blanche.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 966 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 965 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,947 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,336 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Go to Saint-Véran and continue along the track leading to the Chapelle de Clausis.
Park in the car park below the chapel.

(S/E) Continue along the track to reach the chapel.

(1) Take the path or trail to reach the Refuge de la Blanche crossroads in the mountain pasture.

(2) Take the path on the right towards Col Blanchet, leaving the path to the lake and refuge on your left. You will soon come to a four-way crossroads

(3) Continue straight ahead to reach Lac Inférieur du Blanchet.

(4) Stop at this lake (and possibly make a round trip to Lac Supérieur via the path on the left).
Then finish the ascent of Col Blanchet.

(5) Head south towards the Italian side into a large grassy valley with a view of Lac Bleu. Reach the crossroads at this lake.

(6) Take a path on the right that joins the clearly visible start of the path leading up to Col du Longet, reaching this pass marked by border marker 53.

(7) Begin the descent on theGRP® (red and yellow markings) in the upper Ubaye Valley. Descend this large valley with its magnificent lakes. Walk along the edge of Lac du Longet.

(8) Take the path on the right, which climbs gradually at first and then more steeply towards the Col de la Noire, passing close to the lake of the same name.

(9) Begin a new descent due north to reach the crossroads of the loop, the one with the four directions you took earlier.

(3) Continue north to reach the Refuge and Lac de la Blanche.

(10). Behind the refuge toilets, take the marked path along the large canal towards the chapel and Saint-Véran. Reach the confluence of the rifs (de la Blanche and Rafanel).

(11) Cross the river to reach the canal that joins theGR®58, take it to the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,336 m - Parking below the chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 2,381 m - Chapelle de Clausis
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 2,482 m - Head towards Col Blanchet
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 2,517 m - Crossroads of the loop
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 2,747 m - Blanchet Lakes - Lac Blanchet supérieur
  6. 5 : km 3.74 - alt. 2,894 m - Col Blanchet ou Colle Blanchet (2897m)
  7. 6 : km 5.43 - alt. 2,586 m - Head towards Col Longet
  8. 7 : km 6.28 - alt. 2,654 m - Col de Longet
  9. 8 : km 7.11 - alt. 2,643 m - Crossroads - Lac de la Noire
  10. 9 : km 9.33 - alt. 2,945 m - Col de la Noire
  11. 10 : km 11.01 - alt. 2,507 m - Lac de la Blanche
  12. 11 : km 12.23 - alt. 2,401 m - Confluence of the rifs
  13. S/E : km 13.24 - alt. 2,337 m - Parking below the chapel

Notes

(S/E) In July and August, shuttle bus required from Saint-Véran. Please note that the shuttle bus stop is located at the Sainte-Élizabeth Chapel.
(10) Refuge de la Blanche (drinks, meals, overnight stays).
Many streams.
Good footwear recommended.

Worth a visit

The village of Saint Véran, the highest inhabited commune in Europe.
(1) The Clausis Chapel, a place of pilgrimage.
And, of course, all the valleys of Queyras.

 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

4.8 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Floren
Floren

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A magnificent hike with exceptional scenery.
I had some difficulty following the route on the Italian side, but I managed with the GPS.
Thank you for this beautiful hike.

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clement.ganzin
clement.ganzin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with beautiful lakes, requiring a good level of fitness.
Please note: it is not possible to drive to the start of the hike; you will need to take a shuttle bus from the village of Saint Veran.

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nadinechevallier
nadinechevallier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

We did a beautiful hike starting from the Blanche refuge, where we had climbed the day before, and we recommend it in every way. We set off at 8am and climbed up to the Col de la Noire in the cool morning air, then descended into the Longet valley with its lakes, each one more beautiful than the last! We made a gentle climb up to the Col du Longet with a magnificent view of the Viso before tackling a short but steep climb up to the Col Blanchet. We had a picnic at the lower lake before descending to the Blanche refuge. We regretted not taking a break at the Lac Bleu (an idyllic setting) before the climb up to the Col Blanchet. It should be noted, as it is not mentioned in the description, that there is a slightly tricky passage over a rocky outcrop where you have to use your hands when descending into the Longet valley. A sign draws attention to this passage, which is probably more difficult on the way down than on the way up.
We will definitely do this hike again and with just as much pleasure.

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

12 lakes, marmots, eagles, a vulture, rock partridges, passing mist over the Po plain. A very beautiful hike.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello, this outing is indeed interesting for avoiding the crowds and fits this description perfectly.

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babebibobu
babebibobu
• Edited:

on 13 August, there was the Etoiles de Saint Veran trail run. We preferred to try the Blanchet lakes and the climb up to the pass of the same name. After the lakes, you have to follow the cairns and then head towards the ridge, and you'll find a small path that climbs straight up the slope to the ridge path that goes from the Col de St Veran to the Col Blanchet. It's magnificent, there's no one there, it's wild, it's worth it! And no trail runners! After that, you can either go left towards the Col de St Veran or right towards the Col Blanchet.

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Phasme91
Phasme91

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike around the peak, I recommend it! The descent is a bit long at the end.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

And yes, sometimes the weather teases and annoys hikers. But as the mountains and trails withstand the test of time, you will have the opportunity to return to complete this beautiful loop.

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papinou38
papinou38

we set off early in the morning for this tour, but had to change our plans due to a sudden change in the weather, with strong winds and clouds. As a result, we settled for a return trip to the Blanchet Lakes

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mathrein
mathrein

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The most beautiful hike we've ever done in Queyras... We only came across about ten other hikers at most. Surprising, colourful and varied landscapes – it was truly breathtaking!
We completed the hike in 6½ hours, despite the fact that the shuttle bus doesn't go all the way to the chapel.

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pouget yves
pouget yves

It's a shuttle bus issue that I'm not responsible for. It's a shame because the hike is very beautiful. See other reviews.

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Patrice2021
Patrice2021

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: on 11 August 2021, the shuttle bus will only take you 3.6 km (I don't know the technical reason for this, but it's probably so that the frequency of the shuttle buses can be doubled during busy periods). You will therefore need to add 3.8 km round trip (with parish-specific to Brittany, but still only a slight elevation gain) and 50-55 minutes round trip to the times and distances listed in the guide. The shuttle price remains unchanged at €7 round trip!
The part of the hike on this monotonous access track (from the drop-off point to the Blanchet refuge) becomes particularly long.
The detour to the upper lake is well worth it. It is much more beautiful than the lower lake.

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Pascal donard
Pascal donard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a superb hike that takes you through Italy. Start at the Col de la Noire. Beautiful scenery, lakes...

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REG&JJL
REG&JJL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 12 July in average weather conditions: very windy and cloudy with a little sunshine. Beautiful lakes throughout the hike. The climb to Col Blanchet was easy, with a break at the lower lake. The descent to Lac Bleu was easy. Magnificent scenery at Lac Bleu and the Lacs du Longet. The climb to Col Noir was quite steep after the small rocky outcrop. The descent from the pass to the Refuge de la Blanche had a few tricky sections (rockfall on the path) but these could be negotiated safely by taking care.

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Claude-Meignen
Claude-Meignen
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Without a doubt the most beautiful hike we did during our 14 days in Queyras!
Very varied
The upper Ubaye Valley (Italy) is particularly beautiful (between points 7 and 8)
We went to the two Blanchet lakes
We had a picnic at Lac Bleu: peace and quiet!
It took us the whole day, and we were very tired in the evening but happy!!!
Close-up view of ibex

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