Grand tour of the Pic de Rochebrune on foot
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Cervières
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions55.23 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
In a few words
Dominating the Briançonnais and Queyras valleys, the Pic de Rochebrune stands as a majestic stone sentinel, reaching an altitude of 3,320 meters . This challenging hike invites you to a complete immersion in the heart of wild mountains , where nature still reigns supreme. Following secluded and little-used trails , you will discover breathtaking panoramas, untouched by any ski lifts.
Your route traverses multifaceted high valleys between France and Piedmont , where rural life thrives in harmony with the seasons. This journey is also an encounter with authentic heritage : each stage leads you to secluded hamlets with an atmosphere of remoteness. You will be warmly welcomed in mountain huts housed in traditional buildings with preserved architecture, guaranteeing a friendly and authentic experience. Between high mountain passes and hidden valleys, this tour offers a profound escape in an exceptional, rugged setting. An ideal trip for hikers seeking serenity and spectacular alpine landscapes.
The highlights
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An original and wild journey
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A magnificent and little-frequented route
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Comfortable and welcoming guesthouses and mountain huts
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Please remember that you must be able to participate in this program. You can contact us with any questions you may have about the program and the required skill level. Any information about you that could affect your participation in this program must be communicated to us.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 13 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 919 m
- Average daily descent: 847 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
English
French
Whether still wearing my mountaineer's cap, passionate about hiking, or my chef's hat , in Cervières, Burgundy, Iceland, or elsewhere, I invite you to explore unspoiled nature and enjoy healthy and delicious cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere !
Our partner is based in Cervières, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. In every season, they invite you to discover extraordinary and unspoiled natural spaces, combining adventure, comfort, and enjoyment, all while respecting your fitness level and desires. Join them for a hike and immerse yourself in breathtaking nature, letting yourself be captivated by its beauty!
At the heart of its approach: exchange, sharing and conviviality, with the desire to combine tourism and respect for the environment.
Program
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Welcome and presentation of the stay
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 5pm at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Lieu-dit le Laus (1750 meters altitude). Hamlet in the commune of Cervières located 12 kilometers from Briançon, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard.
Settle into your rooms and then, at 7pm, a welcome drink will be offered, an opportunity for your guide to tell you more about the course of the stay and also to share a convivial moment.
Day 1 -
Piedmontese stroll
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 780 m
- Negative elevation 290 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A warm-up hike that will take us to the Capanna Mautino refuge in the Italian Piedmont, via Lake Gignoux (2329m) and the Gimont Pass (2394m). The latter, due to its low altitude, was once a link between the Escarton d'Oulx and the Escarton de Briançon, and a popular crossing point for smugglers of all kinds. Overnight stay at the Capanna Mautino refuge (2110m).
Day 2 -
Dormillouse Ridges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 930 m
- Negative elevation 910 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We will continue our journey into Italy. After skirting the Lac de Fontaine Froide (2167m) and crossing the Bousson (2154m) and Chabaud (2213m) passes, we will climb the Crêtes de Dormillouse (Marmot Ridge) to Mont Viradantour (2914m). A truly wild experience is guaranteed! From there, we will have a breathtaking view of the string of peaks rising to over 3000 meters above the Piedmont valleys. We will then travel through vast alpine pastures to the hamlet of Les Fonts de Cervières (2040m), a haven of peace in the heart of the mountains, where we will stay for two nights. Overnight at the Refuge des Fonts (2040m).
Day 3 -
The Malrif Peak
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 870 m
- Negative elevation 870 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the hamlet of Les Fonts, we will follow the GR 58 to the Pic de Malrif (2906m) to enjoy a panoramic view of the southern slope of the Écrins massif on one side and the Queyras and Mont Viso on the other. Overnight stay at the Refuge des Fonts (2040m).
Day 4 -
Lake Cordes and the Péas Pass
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1250 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Before joining the famous GR 58 trail towards the Queyras Regional Natural Park, a significant detour will allow us to admire Lac des Cordes (2446m), one of the most beautiful treasures of the Vallée des Fonts. The trail will lead us along the banks of the Cerveyrette River, dotted with numerous alpine hamlets. We will then be able to observe beautiful chalets with typical architecture and discover a still well-preserved form of traditional agriculture. Crossing communal pastures, we will pass the Col des Marsailles (2601m) located at the foot of the Pic de Rochebrune, then the Col de Péas (2629m), the gateway to the Queyras massif. The GR trail will finally lead us to the charming little village of Souliers where we will spend the night. Overnight at the Gîte Le Rochebrune (1880m).
Day 5 -
The Col d'Izoard
- Transportation Minibus - 00h20 - 12km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 915 m
- Negative elevation 915 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After admiring Lac Souliers (2492m), we will cross the legendary Col d'Izoard, from where we will have one last magnificent view of the Southern Alps. The descent through a superb larch forest will lead us to the hamlet of Laus (1750m).
The stay ends after the walk, around 4:00 PM. We can enjoy the gîte one last time to have a drink and take a shower before leaving.
Day 6
Note
We reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snow cover, participants' physical condition and technical level, the guide's preferences, etc.). These modifications are always made in your best interest: for your safety and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Accommodation
Upon your arrival in Cervières, you will be accommodated at the Auberge l'Arpelin, an 18th-century building converted into a friendly and family-run guesthouse, located in the hamlet of Laus at an altitude of 1750 meters, in the heart of the mountains and at the foot of the famous Col d'Izoard.
Free parking is available in front of the hostel.
Regardless of your mobile network operator, your mobile connection should be good. Wi-Fi access is free and available.
Subject to availability , it is possible to arrive before the start date of your stay and depart after the end date. You can select these options when booking.
No registration or special request from you will be processed directly by the accommodation provider, who is not responsible for the scheduling or organization of this stay. Room allocation and other accommodation details are handled exclusively between the hotel and us. Thank you for your understanding.
The Capanna Mautino, owned by the Turin Ski Club, is located in the Upper Susa Valley, in the Mountains of the Moon, near Lago Nero.
Thanks to its location, it is easily accessible on foot, making it an ideal destination for hikes while enjoying a magnificent panorama of the Piedmont and Briançon mountains.
The hamlet of Les Fonts, located at the foot of Pic Lombard, between the Queyras Regional Natural Park and the Briançonnais region, was for a long time an alpine village before becoming a tourist destination thanks to the GR58 long-distance hiking trail (Tour du Queyras). The Refuge des Fonts de Cervières was established in this hamlet, which houses typical alpine chalets dating back to 1770.
Alix, Victor and their team welcome you with pleasure and friendliness to the Le Grand Rochebrune gîte d'étape in Souliers.
Nestled in a south-facing valley at an altitude of 1800m, this isolated hamlet lies in the heart of the Queyras Regional Park, in the commune of Château Ville-Vieille. Its unique location, isolated from other villages, with a splendid view of the Font Sancte and the Chambeyron peak, gives it a very special charm.
Le Grand Rochebrune is one of the first gîtes d'étape (stopover gîtes) in the Queyras region, built in the 1970s by the Humbert family using local materials, stone and larch, which gives it its rustic appearance. It takes its name from the summit overlooking it, the Pic de Rochebrune, which rises to 3321m.
On its large south-facing terrace, you can relax, soak up the sun, enjoy the panoramic views of the mountain ridges and alpine pastures, and savor delicious homemade pastries. The charming, bright, period-style dormitory rooms (35 beds), crafted from wood, are sure to please. At the gîte, the cuisine is homemade, using local and, whenever possible, organic produce.
Access
The stay begins on Day 1 at 5pm at the Auberge l'Arpelin in Lieu-dit le Laus, at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. Check into your rooms and then, at 7pm, a presentation of the stay will be held over drinks.
The trip ends on day 6 after the last hike, around 4pm. We can enjoy the gîte one last time for a drink and a shower before leaving.
Our free shuttle will drop you off at Briançon station by 5pm at the latest.
Go to the starting point
The main source of fine particulate pollution in our mountains is the combustion of fossil fuels generated by cars, particularly during the holiday traffic.
That is why we are doing everything we can to welcome you at Briançon station.
🚂 Briançon SNCF train station
From the north, on the Paris-Lyon-Valence-Briançon or Grenoble-Gap-Briançon line
- Daytime trains: TGV then TER
- The direct night train from Paris-Austerlitz is the most convenient for people coming from northern France.
From the south, on the Marseille-Briançon line (TER)
🚂 Oulx SNCF station (Italy)
TGV Paris-Oulx on the Paris-Turin-Milan line then Oulx-Briançon shuttle.
For those arriving by train and wishing to use our free shuttle service, we will meet you on Day 1 at 6:50 pm at Briançon train station, in the parking lot to the right as you exit the station hall. Please let us know in advance by selecting the free shuttle option when making your reservation.
If your train arrival time doesn't coincide with the shuttle's arrival time, you'll need to take a taxi to get to the hostel. We recommend contacting Transalp Taxi at 06.81.69.88.39; the fare is approximately €45.
Landing at Turin Airport is a convenient way to reach the Briançonnais region. Linkbus (www.linkbus-alps.com) provides direct, non-changeable shuttle services between Turin International Airport (Sandro Pertini di Caselle) and Briançon train station.
🚘 From the North: Grenoble - Col du Lautaret - Briançon - Cervières. If the Col du Lautaret is closed, you will have to go via the Col Bayard and Gap. You will then reach Briançon from the south.
🚘 Via the South : Valence or Sisteron - Gap - Embrun – Briançon - Cervières.
🚘 Via Italy : Chambéry - Fréjus Tunnel - Montgenèvre Pass - Briançon - Cervières.
You can park all week in the hostel's free parking lot.
Important :
- The Fréjus tunnel is a toll tunnel. If you plan to return via the same route, purchase a 7-day return ticket (information and prices at www.sftrf.fr).
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a state-certified mountain guide.
- Accommodation in guesthouses and mountain huts, in shared rooms and dormitories
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 6
- The tourist tax
- The round-trip shuttle from Briançon train station
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Free shuttle between Briançon train station and the Arpelin hostel : CHF0.00 / unit
- Half-board extra before the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / unit
- Half-board extra after the stay (subject to availability) : CHF60.38 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
For hiking:
- hiking poles
For picnics:
- fabric bags and towels
- containers for soups and salads
- spoons
- thermoses for hot drinks
- cups
Equipment to bring
- A medium-sized backpack (30 to 40 liters) for the day's essentials (water bottle, warm clothes, binoculars, camera, etc.) and a picnic lunch. Straps for attaching snowshoes are often a welcome addition.
- a rain cover to protect belongings in case of snowfall
- an insulated water bottle preferably (1.5 liters minimum)
- a pocket knife
- a pair of highly protective sunglasses
- a tube of sunscreen and a lip balm, both very protective
- a waterproof pouch for carrying your important documents
- Optional: a camera, a pair of binoculars...
Clothing to bring
Summer weather in the mountains is characterized by a hot and dry climate, however remember that a cold snap, or even snow, cannot be ruled out.
If you are investing during a stay with us, we advise you to adopt clothing made of natural fibers (merino wool), which is warm, breathable and does not odor from perspiration.
For the day:
- Warm and breathable underwear, preferably made of merino wool.
- lightweight trousers and, possibly, waterproof over-trousers
- shorts
- a light and breathable merino or fleece sweater
- A not-too-thick down jacket for more intense cold weather.
- a windbreaker of the type Gore-Tex or Kway
- High or low hiking boots, depending on your preference
- a hat
- a cap or hat to protect you from the sun
- a pair of thin gloves
For the evening:
- a sleeping bag liner (not a duvet)
- a headlamp
- spare clothes
- A pharmacy, stocked with essentials for treating everyday minor ailments. Consider foot care products (skin protectors, elastic bandages, and plasters) and, of course, your personal medications.
- a towel and toiletries
- The accommodations provide slippers for indoor use.
