Via Alpina Red R132

The Via Alpina Red R132 is a roughly 13.5 km point-to-point alpine day stage in the Queyras region of the French Alps, running from the Refuge de Furfande to the village of Ceillac and gaining around 450 m of ascent with close to 1,000 m of descent. Rated moderate, it crosses the high Col Fromage with sweeping views over the Hautes-Alpes.

About the Via Alpina Red R132

The Via Alpina Red R132 is a single stage within the Via Alpina Red Trail, the longest of five colour-coded long-distance routes that make up the Via Alpina network. The Red Trail alone strings together 161 stages (numbered R1 to R161) and crosses all eight Alpine countries — Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco — running from Muggia near Trieste to the Palais Princier in Monaco. Stage R132 sits deep in the French section, linking the isolated Refuge de Furfande with the mountain village of Ceillac in the Queyras.

The Via Alpina was established in the year 2000 by partner organisations from the eight Alpine countries and received European Union funding between 2001 and 2008. Originally coordinated from Grenoble, France, the network's management transferred to CIPRA in Liechtenstein in January 2014. The whole project was designed as an International Walking Network (IWN) to connect Alpine communities through sustainable, stage-based walking — and R132 is a textbook example of that ethos, threading between two waypoints separated by a single high pass.

This stage is operated and waymarked under the via-alpina.org banner, with the official itinerary published on the project's stage portal. R132 follows the classic OSM-recorded line "Refuge de Furfande – Ceillac," meaning hikers start high on a remote shoulder of the Queyras and descend, via the Col Fromage at roughly 2,301 m, into the Mélezet valley above Ceillac. It is a relatively short day by Via Alpina standards but rewards walkers with quiet larch forests, alpine pasture and panoramic ridgelines that see far fewer crowds than the Tour du Mont Blanc.

The Red Trail's French stages, R132 included, run almost entirely above 1,600 m and frequently top 2,300 m at the cols, so the route demands the same respect as any high-alpine itinerary despite its modest daily distances. What sets the Queyras section apart is its remoteness: this is the least-developed corner of the French Alps, with no ski-resort sprawl on the line of the trail and long stretches where the only structures are seasonal pastoral chalets. For hikers seeking the quiet, self-reliant flavour of classic Alpine walking, R132 captures it in a single compact day — a high pass, two valleys and a waymarked path that has carried walkers between Furfande and Ceillac for decades.

Route Overview & Stages

R132 is itself one indivisible day stage, but many hikers walk it as part of a multi-day Queyras traverse. The table below breaks the day into its natural segments and places it alongside the neighbouring Via Alpina Red stages that hikers most commonly chain together.

Segment distances are approximate and based on the official via-alpina.org line for stage R132; treat the ~13.5 km total as a working figure for planning rather than a surveyed length. Because the day is short, fit walkers often combine R132 with part of the next stage toward the Col Girardin.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Refuge de Furfande (~2,293 m) — A remote staffed hut perched on a sun-drenched balcony above the Guil valley, surrounded by some of the highest permanently farmed alpine meadows in the Queyras.
• Furfande pastures — Broad open grazing slopes dotted with traditional stone chalets, classic high-alpine pastoral landscape that has changed little in generations.
• Col Fromage (~2,301 m) — The day's high point and watershed, offering a wide panorama across the Queyras peaks and down toward the Mélezet valley.
• Larch forests of the Mélezet — Open larch woodland that turns gold in autumn, lining the descent toward Ceillac and providing welcome shade on hot afternoons.
• Le Villard hamlet — A small cluster of traditional Queyras houses with characteristic wooden balconies, a good spot to refill water near the valley floor.
• Ceillac (1,640 m) — A listed mountain village inside the Queyras Regional Natural Park, with two protected churches and a compact centre of stone-and-timber houses.
• Queyras Regional Natural Park — The protected massif that frames the entire stage, known for its dry, sunny climate, dark night skies and abundant marmots and chamois.
• Mélezet valley meadows — Flower-rich hay meadows below Ceillac that are at their most spectacular in late June and July.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R132

The R132 is a high-mountain stage, so the realistic walking window runs from mid-June to late September. Snow can linger on the Col Fromage and its northern approaches into early summer, and refuges along the Queyras section of the Via Alpina typically staff up only from around mid-June. As of 2026, the Refuge de Furfande and most Queyras huts operate roughly from mid-June through mid-September, which effectively defines the season.

The single best month to hike R132 is July. By July the Col Fromage is reliably clear of snow, daytime temperatures in the Queyras sit pleasantly in the high teens to low 20s °C at valley level, and the alpine meadows around Furfande and the Mélezet are in full flower. July also benefits from the Queyras's reputation as one of the driest, sunniest corners of the French Alps, with frequent stable high-pressure spells.

August is also excellent for weather but brings more walkers and busier refuges, so booking ahead is essential. Early September is a quieter, golden alternative — fewer crowds, crisp air, and the first hints of larch colour — but afternoons cool quickly and the first autumn snow can arrive on the passes. Before mid-June and after late September the refuges are typically closed and the Col Fromage may hold snow, leaving you to carry full self-sufficiency and winter equipment, which puts the stage out of reach for most walkers. Whatever the month, alpine afternoons frequently produce thunderstorms, so aim to clear the Col Fromage before early afternoon and start early from Furfande to keep the high ground behind you while the morning sky is still stable. Eating well matters on these high-output days; if you are unsure how much fuel to carry, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The natural start and end points both offer beds. The Refuge de Furfande provides dormitory accommodation and meals; expect roughly €55–€70 per person for half board (dinner, bed and breakfast), with a dorm bunk alone around €18–€22. In Ceillac you will find gîtes d'étape, small hotels and chambres d'hôtes: a gîte bunk typically runs €18–€25, half board €50–€65, and a simple double room €70–€100 per night. There is also a municipal campsite near Ceillac, with pitches usually €12–€20. Wild camping is restricted inside the Queyras Regional Natural Park, but bivouacking (overnight only, dusk to dawn) is generally tolerated away from roads and refuges — always check current local rules before relying on it. Reserve refuge places in advance for July and August.

Getting There & Back

The nearest mainline railway station is Montdauphin–Guillestre, on the Marseille–Briançon line, about 12–15 km from Ceillac by road. From the station, seasonal bus and shuttle services run up the Cristillan valley to Ceillac in roughly 30–40 minutes; outside peak season a taxi is the reliable option. From Paris, the journey by TGV to Aix-en-Provence or Valence and onward connection takes most of a day; an overnight Intercités de Nuit train to Briançon is a popular alternative. The closest international airports are Turin (around 2.5–3 hours by car via the Col de Montgenèvre) and Marseille-Provence (around 3–3.5 hours). Because R132 starts at the remote Refuge de Furfande, most walkers reach it on foot via the previous Via Alpina stage rather than by vehicle.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Via Alpina Red R132. The trail crosses the Queyras Regional Natural Park, where access on foot is free, but standard park regulations apply: keep dogs on a lead near livestock, light no open fires, and respect the bivouac rules described above. The only costs you should budget for are accommodation, meals and local transport. Up-to-date stage details are published on the official Via Alpina stage portal, and regional protected-area rules are maintained by the Parc naturel régional du Queyras.

Gear & Packing List

R132 is a short but genuinely alpine stage, crossing a 2,300 m pass where weather can turn fast, so pack as you would for any high mountain day: insulating midlayer, waterproof shell, sun protection, at least 1.5–2 litres of water capacity, and trekking poles for the long descent into Ceillac. Sturdy boots or trail-running shoes with good grip handle the rocky pass terrain well. If you are walking R132 as part of a multi-day Queyras traverse and staying in refuges, a lightweight pack keeps the descents kinder on your knees.

For hut-to-hut walking on this stage, a 35–55 litre pack is ideal. The Arc Haul Ultra 50L and the 2400 Windrider are both strong ultralight choices for a refuge-based itinerary, while the Abisko Hike 35 suits walkers who want a more structured, ventilated daypack-sized carry. For dialling in your ultralight setup, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested packs across comfort and weight.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the quiet, high-pass character of R132 appeals, several other French long-distance routes belong on your list. The Queyras shares the same dry alpine landscapes as nearby itineraries, while the wider French trail catalogue offers everything from iconic circuits to volcanic plateaus. Explore these related routes:

• Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principal
• GR 20 Principale
• Chemin de Stevenson - Liaison 1
• GR 105
• Sulle strade dei valdesi: GRV Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi (325 km)

For a contrasting hut-to-hut experience further afield, the dramatic Balkan crossing in our guide to hiking the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania shows how the same single-pass, valley-to-valley format plays out in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R132?
July is the single best month. By then the Col Fromage is reliably snow-free, the Refuge de Furfande and Queyras huts are fully staffed, and the alpine meadows are in flower. August offers similar weather but bigger crowds, while early September is quieter and cooler with the first larch colour appearing on the slopes.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R132?
R132 is rated moderate. The distance is short at around 13.5 km, but it is a genuine alpine stage crossing the Col Fromage near 2,301 m, with roughly 450 m of climbing and close to 1,000 m of descent. The terrain is rocky in places and exposed to fast-changing mountain weather, so basic hill-walking fitness and proper footwear are needed.

How long does R132 take and what is the daily distance?
Most walkers complete R132 in a single day of around 4 to 6 hours, covering approximately 13.5 km from Refuge de Furfande to Ceillac. It is one of the shorter Via Alpina Red stages, so faster hikers often combine it with part of the following stage toward the Col Girardin to make a fuller day.

What accommodation is available along the route?
The stage runs between two lodging points. The Refuge de Furfande offers dormitory beds and meals at roughly €55–€70 half board. Ceillac has gîtes d'étape, small hotels, chambres d'hôtes and a municipal campsite, with gîte half board around €50–€65 and pitches €12–€20. Reserve well ahead for July and August.

Do I need a permit to hike the Via Alpina Red R132?
No permit is required. The route crosses the Queyras Regional Natural Park, where walking access is free, but park rules apply: no open fires, dogs on leads near livestock, and bivouacking limited to overnight only away from roads and refuges. Your only real costs are accommodation, meals and local transport to and from Ceillac.