Difficult one-day hikes

From the refuge follow the path along the Pierre Rouge torrent to the Malrif pass (2,868m). At the pass, turn left and follow the Eaux Pendantes ridge to Pic de Malrif for a beautiful view over the entire Queyras valley and the Italian Alps. On a clear, cold day you can even see Mont Blanc. For the descent, take the same route back to the pass and follow the GR trail to the Refuge des Fonts.

Turn right and head for the pass at 2,830 metres, to the left of Pic du Malrif. You'll first walk at the lakeside, then climb through grassland and scree. Stop at the pass. You can clearly see the top of Grand Glaiza (3,293m) and the ridge. Follow the ridge for an easy climb to your first peak of the day. Go back down to the Malrif pass (2,866m).

From the small village of Prats Hauts, this fairly difficult hike will reward you with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Queyras. You'll also be able to explore Pierre Grosse, Gaudissard and other typical little hamlets. For this hike we recommend you take a good supply of water with you as there is virtually nowhere to fill up along the way. Lastly, in fine weather you'll need sun protection as the absence of trees is the price to pay for such great views.

At an elevation of 2,579 metres, Grand Laus is the biggest of the three Malrif lakes. It nestles amid exceptional surroundings against the backdrop of the 3,841-metre-high Mont Viso. Pick up the GR58 hiking trail behind the gîte to follow a balcony path above the River Guil to the Malrif chapel, into the Malrif valley, then on to the hamlet of the same name. Continue on the same path to the Replat des Bertins (2,050 metres) and cross the wooden bridge. The easy zigzagging trail leads up to a plateau where the real ascent begins in a grassy valley. This is the sunny side of the mountain, so we recommend you leave early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day. As you approach the end of your climb, a cross on the right (at a distance) announces that Lake Grand Laus is not far away.

Above the village of Aiguilles in the Queyras, shimmering in their beautiful green showcase, are the three Malrif lakes: Grand Laus (2,583m), Mézan (2,675m) and Petit Laus (2,805m). This beautiful hike from an elevated but small car park follows a path that's in very good condition, apart from an optional section on the way back. Another option is to climb the Pic du Malrif. Towering 320 metres above Lake Grand Laus, this peak can be reached via a good path and offers a 360° panorama.

00:00: Cross the village to the Lombard bridge. Before you cross, walk up to the left to take a smaller bridge. Then follow the GR trail which goes left and leads you to La Pause chalet. 00:45: Cross the track above the chalet and follow the red-and-white markers to the Eygliers chapel, then to the oratory to admire the view. 01:45: Continue on the GR trail through a larch forest, across a mountain pasture, up to a pass and finally to the great lake. 03:45: Time for a well-deserved picnic! Return via the same route to the junction with the ‘Bergerie du Lombard' sign. Go down to the sheepfold and past it back to the car park and the track leading to Aiguilles. On the last section you can take a shortcut via La Pause chalet. 06:00: What a great day!

Starting at the Edelweiss gîte, from the bridge follow the red-and-white GR58 markers, or take the shorter route from the Bergerie car park in Aiguilles which is accessible with four-wheel drive

You'll start at the bottom of a former Alpine ocean, 3,000 metres above sea level! From Les Claux car park just below the hamlet of Le Bois Noir, you'll quickly join the old mule track that was used to reach the green-marble quarry of Ceillac. This hike takes you through a sparsely-populated larch forest, then across wetlands, before crossing the Cristillan torrent on a small footbridge. After a few hairpin bends, you'll see on your left the old customs hut which is now used as a shelter by a local herdsman. From there, the grasslands give way to rock. But not just any rock! Most of the green-coloured rocks in the Cristillan mountains are remnants of the oceanic crust that formed here nearly 150 million years ago. They now reach elevations of nearly 3,000 metres.