Читать книгу Tour of the Queyras. The GR58 and GR541 in the French Alps онлайн

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The major peaks of the Queyras (Pic de Rochebrune 3320m/10,884ft, Grand Glaiza 3293m/10,795ft, Le Pain de Sucre 3208m/10,517ft, Tête des Toillies 3175m/10,409ft, Le Grand Queyras 3114m/10,209ft, Bric Bouchet 2997m/9825ft, Tête du Pelvas 2929m/9602ft) are lower than those in the Vanoise to the north and the Écrins to the northwest, and there are no glaciers in the Queyras. It is ideal hill-walking country, where several of the mountain summits can be reached by the ordinary walker, without the use of specialist equipment or skills.

The region is scenically of the highest order, and because of its location there are first-rate views of the neighbouring summits of the Écrins and the Piedmont Alps in Italy. The highest, most imposing and well-known mountain in the whole area is Monte Viso (3841m/12,592ft). Its summit lies just over the border in Italy, but its mighty and graceful lines are on view for much of the Tour of the Queyras.

View from Saint-Véran (Stage 3)

The main geographical feature of the Queyras is the Guil valley. The River Guil rises high up in the mountains on the border with Italy in the Monte Viso region. It flows first to the northwest, passing La Monta and Abriès before turning to the southwest, passing Aiguilles to reach Château-Queyras. From here the river continues below the hamlet of Bramousse to enter the deep Combe du Queyras, before flowing into the River Durance near the fortified town of Montdauphin. The River Guil is met on several occasions during the Tour of the Queyras.