All one-day hikes

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

If you take this forest track in summer, which becomes a cross-country skiing trail in winter, you'll understand why the locals call this trail 'The Balconies'. Indeed, this south-west-facing itinerary overhangs the vast Ceillac plain and the old farming terraces of Le Chastellas, and offers a stunning panoramic view over the Font-Sancte mountains and La Pisse waterfall. You can also see the paragliders' take-off area. At the highest point you'll enter a forest which is darker than the larch forest crossed earlier. This is the largest arolla pine forest in the southern French Alps, where you'll be greeted by one of its main occupants, the spotted nutcracker.

Outside the gîte, you'll cross the road, then the bridge. The trail starts just below the cross. You'll find yourself on the Tour de la Dent du Ratier GRP, a regional hiking trail. The path is fairly steep and follows the Rifu du Rouart. You'll cross the torrent and continue to the small Clos lakes. Then you'll reach the Saint Simon chapel. Cross the larch forest to the Prés Fromage pass. You may want to continue to the Bucher summit (maximum 1/2 hour there and back) to enjoy a 360° view over the Queyras valleys. The descent is via the Prés Fromage pass and Saint Simon woods. You'll head for Molines via the Clot Henri cabins. Finally, you'll follow the Aigle Blanche torrent along the cross-country skiing trail to La Chalp.

From LE RIOU VERT, go past the chapel and turn right towards the BRAMOUSSE pass and the GR58. When you reach the BRAMOUSSE mountain chalet, above the chapel on your right you'll see a tiny chalet. The path is just behind it. Marked with small orangey-yellow circles, the path crosses meadows and forest up to the ‘centenaire', an ancient larch tree that stands amid a few other enormous larches. Backtrack a little to begin your descent, down to the waterfall for a refreshing break, then return to the chalets via a small road (if you look carefully you'll see the remains of a lime kiln below you), to reach the chapel and take the GR58 hiking trail to BRAMOUSSE.

At the end of Route de la Condamine, above Aiguilles. A short hike above Aiguilles to the Chalvet ruins and the superb Chalvet des Borels church. This itinerary takes you back in time to ‘that time when we had the time'. Information panel on local flora and fauna (La Fontaine's Fables).