Gravel : le Balcon du Queyras

Sport, Cycling sports, Mountain biking itinerary, Gravel bike route, Electric mountain bike route in Château-Ville-Vieille
20.8 km

  • Overlooking the right bank of the Guil, this walk links Ville-Vieille to Aiguilles, passing through Les Meyries, one of the most authentic hamlets in the Queyras.

  • This walk follows the south-facing slope of the Guil valley. It offers sumptuous scenery towards the Font Sancte peak. It could be the perfect hike for a blazing autumn.

    1 - Château-Ville-Vieille
    From Ville-Vielle, via a path accessible to bicycles, I follow the impetuous course of the Guil on its lesser-known left bank.

    2- Château-Queyras
    At Château-Queyras, a small asphalt road on the right leads away. The ascent is demanding and sustained. I'm in a Garden of Eden of spring...
    This walk follows the south-facing slope of the Guil valley. It offers sumptuous scenery towards the Font Sancte peak. It could be the perfect hike for a blazing autumn.

    1 - Château-Ville-Vieille
    From Ville-Vielle, via a path accessible to bicycles, I follow the impetuous course of the Guil on its lesser-known left bank.

    2- Château-Queyras
    At Château-Queyras, a small asphalt road on the right leads away. The ascent is demanding and sustained. I'm in a Garden of Eden of spring flowers.

    3 - Les Meyries
    The winding road leads to "Les Meyries (1,700 m)", which has retained all its authenticity. On leaving the village, a carriageway replaces the asphalt road. It leads to the Péas mountain pasture. The winding road has an average gradient of 7.7%.

    4 - Balcony path
    At the top of Les Meyries, as I take the first path on the right, the mountain pastures appear, open and welcoming. Their length takes me right into the heart of the mountain. A glance at the map reveals a series of contour lines, which suggest a beautiful balcony path. Covered in shot, it heads towards "Les Chalvets des Borels (1,823 m)".

    5 . A path through the undergrowth
    I leave the wide path leading to the sheepfold and turn right onto a path descending through the larch trees. It's not difficult, but its narrowness means I have to put my foot down. Further down, I cross a meadow and then an undergrowth. Here I reach a gravel path. All that's left is to let myself be carried away by the long descent to the right. The slope faces due south: the hot, dry summer has killed off the last of the gentians and ranunculus, and the golden grasses seem to glisten in the sun.

    6 - Aiguilles
    I pass the ravine and negotiate some very tight switchbacks. I continue down the slope towards the panorama offered by Aiguilles.

    7 - Back to Château-Ville-Vieille
    Via one of the narrow streets, I reach the center of Aiguilles. I take the main street to the right to reach the route des gorges, which will take me straight back to Château-Ville-Vieille.

    Water bottles can be refilled at the Meyries fountain.
    With its moderate altitude, this hike can be enjoyed in low season, autumn or spring.
  • Departure
    Château-Ville-Vieille
  • Difference in height
    723.333 m
  • From Guillestre, follow the D947 to Ville-Vieille
  • Plain text period
    From 01/06 to 31/10/2025.

    Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
  • Environment
    • Riverside
    • Mountain view
    • Waterside
  • Spoken languages
    • French
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
723 meters of difference in height
  • Maximum altitude : 1795 m
  • Minimum altitude : 1346 m
  • Total positive elevation : 723 m
  • Total negative elevation : -723 m
  • Max positive elevation : 154 m
  • Min positive elevation : -251 m