Briançonnais passes (Hautes Alpes)
Col du Lauzon (2576 m) to Arvieux
The Col du Lauzon is reached from the hamlet of Coin in Arvieux. After a bucolic climb, you come to the Lac du Lauzon, which often runs dry in late summer, and from there, along a path through the scree, to the Col du Lauzon. From the pass, you can descend to the Néal and Clapeyto lakes, or to the Durance valley.
La montée au col du Lauzon (Arvieux) dans une ambiance bucolique
Col des Ayes (2477 m) to Arvieux
L'Echaillon (Arvieux) vu depuis le col des Ayes. En face la montagne de Jamberoute.
The Col des Ayes on the GR5 links the Arvieux and Durance valleys. It provides easy access to Villar-Saint-Pancrace via the Ayes chalets. Before the spread of the motor car, people from Brunissard used to take the Col des Ayes to do their shopping in Briançon, returning the same evening with their loads. A bygone era...
Col des Ourdeis (2420 m) to Arvieux
The Col des Ourdeis links the Arvieux valley at Pra Premier with the Laus valley in the Briançonnais, above the Izoard chalets. Higher and narrower than the Col d'Izoard, it is only used by daring hikers, as the casse (scree-covered slope) on the Queyras side is long and steep.
Le col des Ourdeis à Arvieux vu depuis la cabane de Fontouse. A droite, Clot la Cime. Dans le creux du col, le Briançonnais
Col d'Izoard (2361 m) to Arvieux
Le col d'Izoard côté Briançon (Hautes Alpes)
The Col d'Izoard, between Clot la Cîme and Côte-Belle, is particularly popular with cyclists, linking the Queyras and Briançonnais regions. Very popular in summer, it is closed from November to May. In winter, its southern access from Arvieux is transformed into a cross-country ski trail.
The Tour de France last passed over the Col d'Izoard from Briançon on Saturday, July 19, 2014, and the 2017 Tour finished at the pass after the climb from Arvieux.
Col des Portes (2916 m) at Château-Ville-Vieille
This pass is easily accessible from the Col d'Izoard via the path leading to the Pic de Rochebrune. On the Queyras side, it can be reached from Lac de Souliers. You have to cross a long stony break that covers feet and ankles with every step. Easier down than up.
Col de Péas (2629 m) at Château-Ville-Vieille
The Col de Péas at the foot of the Pic de Rochebrune leads from the Vallon de Souliers (Château-Ville-Vieille) in the Queyras to the Vallon de Cervières in the Briançonnais. It was from this pass that Catinat, leading his troops, descended in 1692 to free Fort Queyras, besieged by a detachment of the Duke of Savoy.
Near the pass, the remains of the asbestos mine are well worth a visit
Col de Péas à Arvieux entre Queyras et Briançonnais