Gravel : Le lac émeraude
Sport, Cycling sports, Mountain biking itinerary, Gravel bike route, Electric mountain bike route
in Arvieux
28.6
km
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The Val d'Azur will offer me a moment of escape as I approach one of the most beautiful lakes in the Queyras.
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Among the spring flowers, I set off on my bike to rediscover this symbiosis with nature in full effervescence around Lac de Roue.
As the mountain pastures finally blossom, spring gives me the freedom to make my way upwards, even though the snow on the summits will still take its time to melt... An equally magnificent path in the tawny light of autumn, before winter rolls in through the front door and covers the mountains in its white shroud.
1 - Arvieux
From Arvieux, I take advantage...Among the spring flowers, I set off on my bike to rediscover this symbiosis with nature in full effervescence around Lac de Roue.
As the mountain pastures finally blossom, spring gives me the freedom to make my way upwards, even though the snow on the summits will still take its time to melt... An equally magnificent path in the tawny light of autumn, before winter rolls in through the front door and covers the mountains in its white shroud.
1 - Arvieux
From Arvieux, I take advantage of this spring rebirth to reach Villargaudin, one of the Queyras' high-perched villages. At the start of the itinerary, I take the road to the Col de Furfande.
2 - Forest track
A bend to the left takes me onto a gentler, less steep "forest track" (1800 m). On my way, I can see Arvieux, located in the heart of the Val d'Azur. The valley is so wide and sunny!
3 - Villargaudin
The inhabitants of Villargaudin (1600 m) have no doubt chosen to live there for its magnificent location: what could be better than a cul-de-sac village with a panoramic view of the Bucher summit and the Pointe De Rasis! The descent pushes me to let off the brakes a little.
4 - Château-Queyras
I rejoin the Izoard road, which continues downhill towards Château-Queyras (1355 m). Here I am at the foot of a secret, magnificent road that links Souliers to the valley. I'm on the ramp of a formidable ascent, undoubtedly one of the most demanding in the Queyras, with percentages approaching 15%! In 4 kilometers, I'm at almost 1840 m.
5 - Souliers
I reach "Souliers" (1840 m), where a handful of inhabitants have decided to live in simplicity.
6 - Lac de Roue
After the village, I have to climb a little further to come across a magical place, "Lac de Roue" (1847 m) and its dream location amidst fields of flowers and marshes. I make this little territory my own, taking a few photos before descending to Arvieux, bathed in soft spring light.
Even in high season, the roads to Villargaudin and Souliers are seldom used. Note the nice restaurants in Arvieux on your return.
Avoid this route on hot days: the ascent to Souliers offers little protection from the sun...
- Departure
- Arvieux
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Difference in height
- 1235.33 m
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- From the D902, after crossing the gorges, take the Izoard road (D902).
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Plain text period
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From 01/06 to 31/10/2025.
Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.
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Environment
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Spoken languages
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Documentation
- GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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- 1235 meters of difference in height
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- Maximum altitude : 1929 m
- Minimum altitude : 1326 m
- Total positive elevation : 1235 m
- Total negative elevation : -1225 m
- Max positive elevation : 259 m
- Min positive elevation : -259 m
