Visit the Queyras Regional Natural Park: full guide

Want to spend a dream stay in the Alps? Visit Queyras Regional Natural Park, a real gem!

Queyras Regional Natural Park is a French regional natural park created in 1977. It is... very small, with eleven communes only, all located in the massif of Escreins and the Scottish Alps.

This is the pearl of the department of Hautes-Alpes and the least populated of French regional natural parks with only 2,300 permanent inhabitants. Over 650 km 2 of mountainous land, the park is composed of four distinct valleys.

The valley of the Guil, Agnelle Aigue, Izoard and Cristillan attract visitors every year in search of change. What a beautiful variety of landscapes: caves, gorges, air passes, flooded torrents and vertiginous mountains await you.

The only question that is worth visiting the Queyras Regional Natural Park? No headache: Wanderlix to the rescue! Here is our complete guide dedicated to this sumptuous natural space.

Queyras Regional Natural Park in a few words

Visiting the Queyras Regional Natural Park is entering an extraordinary space in the heart of the Alps. First of all, because we beat records: the highest commune in Europe, Saint-Véran, is there.

From the top of its 2,042 meters above sea level, it attracts countless tourists to breathe a large bowl of fresh air.

But the Queyras Natural Park also includes mirific alps, majestic coniferous forests... The heritage is also honoured with churches restored by the region and picturesque chalets.

Further on, the fort of Château-Queyras, built on a glacial lock, offers beautiful pieces of craftsmanship. Sports enthusiasts, they, will gladly go to the family ski resorts of Queyras.

The seven regional natural park stations also offer the first Nordic domain of the Southern Alps! If you never set foot there, you still know the two mythical cycling passes of the Tour de France.

The Col d’Izoard and especially the pass of Vars have all been crossed dozens of times by the champions of this discipline and are among the mythical stages of the competition.

1. Hiking

"The miles on foot, it uses, it uses/ The miles on foot, it uses the shoes"! Yes, absolutely, and especially in the Queyras Natural Park.

Particularly suitable for walking, this territory is an immaculate gem in winter. In the summer, the colors taken by vegetation dazzle up to the most insensitive of visitors.

The marked paths indicate the altitude and distance between their position and the points of interest to be reached. We are alone in the world when we visit the Queyras Natural Park: but we never lose...

Practical information :

• Modalities: provide good shoes, a walking bag, water and glasses. And that's it! For the rest, the tourist office will inform you on the routes that will make your escapade an unforgettable experience... and the conditions of a weather that can be shown, Alps obliges, very capricious;
• At what price: access to trails is completely free. The material (bâtons, etc.) can be rented if you do not own it.

2. Mountaineering

Beautiful mountains are in the Queyras. The 4,000 of the Northern Alps leave here the place to more authentic, less elevated, equipped and especially less frequented mountains!

Trust a mountain guide to safely lead you to your goal. On the side of Saint-Véran or Guillestre, for example, you should be able to experience an enriching initiation to Alpine progression techniques. Enjoy it!

Practical information :

• Modalities: the companies of the high mountain guides are located in the stations of the Queyras Natural Park. Teach them not to leave anything to chance;
• At what price: a race framed by a guide costs 300€ for two days counting the bivouac.

3. Paragliding

Icare’s dream is a fundamental obsession, a lucid characteristic of the human being. The latter is unable to fly but has always been fascinated by the air element.

To conjure the fate - and to overcome the absence of wings, of which it is devoid - he invented the balloon then motorized aircraft... and finally the modern wings of paragliding.

These sails with caisson that allow it, once inflated, to glide in the air, can according to their size accommodate up to two people. Ideal for visiting the Queyras Natural Park through the air during a tandem baptism, right?

Practical information :

• Modalities: agencies offering initiations to paragliding in biplace are Legion in Queyras. Visit the centre of the park's municipalities to find your flight;
• At what price: count a little less 100€ on average One hour Flight.

4. Horse

Here, no Mongolian steppes or texan deserts but sublime mountains, a varied fauna and flora. The pure air of suave vegetable scents that caress the skin of your face.

The singing of the birds, the burning of the monzes, when suddenly: tagada, tagada, tagada... Yes, the horses have a beautiful life in these beautiful lands.

To realize this, what better than to get one of these proud destriers for an equestrian hike on the marked trails? The escapade will delight young and old, don’t hesitate!

Practical information :

• Modalities: sturdy pants, suitable shoes and o-bli-ga-toire sunscreen;
• At what price: count about 100€ for three hours hiking.

5. Sled dogs

These ravishing canids look like wolf surprises. They'll give you an unforgettable moment on your sled.

Driving initiations are proposed to visit the Queyras Regional Natural Park between December and March . Enjoy it, its immaculate landscapes blow the breath.

Practical information :

• Modalities: Reserve your getaway well in advance to avoid any disappointment. And have warm clothes and a good pair of slaps;
• At what price: for two hours, count 80€ on average based on demand.

6. By road bike

The Izoard pass, the Vars pass... These crucial stages of the legendary Tour de France are strong moments for lovers of the little queen.

Those who have the chance to explore these legendary roads shudder by remembering the pestilence of local roads! Particularly secure, they offer stunning views of the region. Good luck!

Practical information :

• Modalities : Provide a helmet and one or more gourdes. If you do not have a bike, you can rent one;
• At what price : in the case of a bicycle rental, plan a 50 euros par 24 hours for a road bike.

7. Via ferrata

Visiting Queyras Regional Natural Park is good. Climbing is better! And taking advantage of the facilitative catch of a via ferrata, it is to pay a good slice of fun.

Here are some of the routes in the area the Fort-Queyras via ferrata, 800m long, which runs around 45 minutes. Located on the left bank of the Guil, it crosses the rock on which Fort-Queyras is built. You don't have vertigo, at least?

Practical information :

• Modalities : Recover your security equipment on site and take full advantage of your adventure;
• At what price : rental of equipment costs one 10 euros for one half day.

8. Raquette

Photo credit: Facebook – Queyras Regional Natural Park

Tickets/activities related to:

France

park queyras snowshoes

Visiting Queyras Regional Natural Park is good... But visiting it in winter is a more incredible experience. The landscapes covered with a pure white coat, the abruptness of the steps in the snow, the dreamy contemplation: here we listen to silence.

Snowshoeing enthusiasts have their own marked trails that go through the park in the long, wide and through. This quiet activity will therefore delight lovers of large spaces.

Practical information :

• Modalities: snowshoes are available for rent at ski rentals. For hiking trails, get a detailed plan to the Tourist Office;
• At what price: access to the trails is free of charge, the rental of the snowshoes costs a 30 euros per day On average.

9. ATV

ATV is one of the best ways to visit the Queyras Regional Natural Park. These machines go fast, on all coatings, and allow to explore what this preserved territory has more beautiful to offer.

Our advice? Go to Château-Ville-Vieille : the spots are legion and beautiful views await you there.

Practical information :

• Modalities : provide protections and share trails with other walkers;
• At what price : for rent, for example 40 euros per day. Prices can climb for an electric mountain bike.

10. Rafting

That's what I'm talking about. The rafting to visit the Queyras Natural Park is great original.

On the Guil, a local watercourse, your team of eight people will have to tame the rapids. No worries, your monitor is in charge of flying: you, you will only have to pick up... Perfect to close your summer stay in beauty, right?

Practical information :

• Modalities : book your boat well in advance during the full season. And put good layers of sun cream;
• At what price : a small one 50 euros for two hours descent is expected.