Via Alpina Red R133

The Via Alpina Red R133 is a roughly 16 km point-to-point mountain stage in the southern French Alps, linking Ceillac in the Queyras to Maljasset in the Haute Ubaye. It climbs about 1,060 m of elevation over a single full hiking day, crossing the Col Girardin at 2,699 m. Rated demanding, it is a high-pass crossing rewarded with sweeping views of the Font Sancte massif.

About the Via Alpina Red R133

The Via Alpina Red R133 is stage 133 of the Red Trail, the longest of the five colour-coded routes that make up the Via Alpina network. Created in 2000 at the initiative of the Grande Traversée des Alpes association, the Via Alpina spans eight Alpine countries — Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. The Red Trail alone runs across all eight nations in 161 numbered stages, beginning at Trieste on the Adriatic and finishing at the Prince's Palace in Monaco.

Stage R133 falls deep into the French section, in the Hautes-Alpes département. It connects two iconic mountain settlements: Ceillac (about 1,640 m), a compact stone-built village in the Queyras Regional Nature Park, and Maljasset (about 1,900 m), a hamlet at the head of the Ubaye valley in the neighbouring Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The natural high point and the defining feature of the day is the Col Girardin at 2,699 m, the watershed pass that separates the Queyras from the Ubaye.

This is a classic single-pass crossing: a steady morning climb of roughly 1,060 m to the col, then a long, knee-testing descent of around 800 m into the wild Haute Ubaye. Because the route is part of the international Via Alpina as well as the GR 5 / GR 56 corridors that thread through the Queyras, the path is well waymarked with the distinctive Via Alpina logo and the red-and-white GR balises. Most walkers complete the stage in 6 to 7 hours of walking time, making it a full but achievable day for fit hikers acclimatised to altitude.

Route Overview & Stages

The R133 is itself a single Via Alpina stage, but on the ground it breaks naturally into three sections. The table below splits the day into those legs so you can plan rest stops and judge your pace. Figures are approximate and rounded.

Total distance is approximately 16 km with around 1,060 m of ascent and 800 m of descent. If you are continuing the Via Alpina southward, the following stage R134 leaves Maljasset toward Larche, while northbound walkers can pick up stage R132 back over toward the heart of the Queyras.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Ceillac (1,640 m) — A protected Queyras village with a 16th-century church and traditional stone-and-larch architecture, a peaceful starting point set among high meadows.
• Vallon du Mélezet — The opening valley named for its larch (mélèze) woods, which glow gold in autumn and frame waterfalls along the climb.
• Lac Miroir (Lac des Prés Soubeyrand) — A photogenic lower lake at about 2,214 m that mirrors the surrounding peaks on calm mornings, a short detour just off the main line.
• Lac Sainte-Anne (2,415 m) — A vivid turquoise glacial tarn beneath the Pic de la Font Sancte, with a small pilgrimage chapel and a popular pause spot before the final climb.
• Col Girardin (2,699 m) — The high point and natural border between the Queyras and the Ubaye, offering a panorama from the Font Sancte to the distant Écrins.
• Pic de la Font Sancte (3,385 m) — The highest summit of the Queyras massif, dominating the skyline to the west throughout the ascent.
• Tête de Girardin — A modest peak beside the col that hardy walkers can tag in 30 minutes for an even wider Ubaye panorama.
• Maljasset (1,900 m) — A remote hamlet at the head of the Ubaye with a historic chapel, marking the day's end in one of the most isolated valleys of the French Alps.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R133

The R133 is a high-mountain stage, and the Col Girardin at 2,699 m holds snow well into early summer. The reliable hiking window runs from late June to late September. In June the col often still carries old snowfields on its northern flank, which can make the final switchbacks slippery and demand caution; an ice axe is occasionally useful in an early or heavy snow year.

July and August bring the most settled weather, with daytime temperatures in the valleys around 20–25 °C and cooler, breezy conditions at the col. These months also see the alpine flowers at their peak around Lac Sainte-Anne. The trade-off is afternoon thunderstorms, which build quickly over the Queyras — an early start to clear the col before midday is strongly advised.

The single best month to hike the R133 is September. The snow has long melted, the larches begin turning gold in the Mélezet valley, the air is crisp and clear for long-range views, thunderstorm frequency drops, and the huts are quieter than in the August peak. As of 2026, refuge operators in the Queyras and Ubaye typically staff their accommodation through mid-September, so early-autumn walkers should confirm closing dates before setting out. By October, freezing nights and early snowfall make the col crossing an off-season undertaking best left to experienced mountaineers.

Practical Information

Accommodation

At the Ceillac end you will find a gîte d'étape, small hotels and a municipal campsite; expect roughly €18–25 for a dormitory bed or €15–20 per pitch for camping. At the Maljasset end the historic Refuge de Maljasset (CAF) provides dormitory beds and meals; budget around €20–25 for a bunk and €20–25 for the evening half-board demi-pension supplement, so a full demi-pension night runs close to €45–55. Bivouac and wild camping are tolerated under French mountain rules above the valley floors between roughly 7 pm and 9 am, but not within the regulated zones near the lakes — pitch discreetly and carry out all waste. Booking ahead is essential in July and August, when refuge places fill days in advance.

Getting There & Back

The nearest mainline railway station to Ceillac is Montdauphin–Guillestre, on the line between Gap and Briançon, about 30 km away. From the station, seasonal LER/Zou! regional buses and shuttle services run up to Ceillac in roughly 40–60 minutes, though frequencies are limited and best checked in advance. The nearest major airports are Turin (around 2.5–3 hours by road via the Col de Montgenèvre) and Marseille (around 3.5 hours). Maljasset, at the head of the Ubaye, is far more isolated: the nearest meaningful transport hub is Barcelonnette, served by buses down-valley, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours away by the infrequent Haute-Ubaye shuttle. Because public links at the Maljasset end are sparse, many walkers arrange a taxi or pre-booked transfer, or continue on foot to the next Via Alpina stage.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk the Via Alpina Red R133. The route passes through the Queyras Regional Nature Park (Parc naturel régional du Queyras), where standard park rules apply: stay on marked paths, light no open fires, keep dogs leashed and respect the bivouac time windows near the protected lakes. There are no toll points or ticket gates along the stage. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport.

Gear & Packing List

This is a serious alpine day above 2,600 m, so pack for fast weather changes: waterproof shell, an insulating mid-layer, sun protection and at least 1.5–2 litres of water capacity, since reliable sources thin out above the lakes. Trekking poles take real strain off the long 800 m descent to Maljasset, and sturdy boots with good ankle support handle the rocky upper switchbacks far better than trail runners. If you are crossing in late June, carry microspikes for any lingering snowfield on the col.

For a single-stage day or a multi-day Via Alpina section, a comfortable 35–50 litre pack is the right size. The Atmos AG 50 is a supportive choice for hut-to-hut loads with meals and layers, while the lighter Abisko Hike 35 suits fast-and-light day crossings. Ultralight walkers chaining many Via Alpina stages often prefer a frameless option such as the 2400 Windrider. For a fuller breakdown of pack choices, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. A high-pass day burns serious energy, so plan your trail food accordingly — our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you avoid bonking before the col.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high passes and hut-to-hut rhythm of the R133 appeal, France offers several long routes in the same spirit — from the glaciated giants of the western Alps to the granite spine of Corsica. These trails pair naturally with a Via Alpina section or stand alone as classic multi-day adventures.

• Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principal — The most famous Alpine circuit, looping three countries beneath Western Europe's highest peak.
• GR 20 Principale — Corsica's legendary high-level traverse, widely rated among the toughest waymarked trails in Europe.
• GR 105 — A quieter French long-distance route for walkers seeking a gentler multi-day rhythm.
• Chemin de Stevenson - Liaison 1 — A historic Cévennes trail following Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 donkey journey.
• Sulle strade dei valdesi: GRV Glorioso Rimpatrio dei Valdesi — A 325 km cross-border heritage route retracing the Waldensian return through the Cottian Alps.

For a complete contrast in scenery, our walkthrough of how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania shows what a comparable single high-pass crossing looks like in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R133?
The reliable window is late June to late September. September is the single best month: the Col Girardin is snow-free, the larches turn gold, the air is clear for long views and thunderstorms are less frequent than in midsummer. June crossings may still meet snowfields on the col's north side, so check conditions and carry microspikes early in the season.

How difficult is the R133 stage?
It is a demanding alpine day. You climb about 1,060 m to the Col Girardin at 2,699 m and descend roughly 800 m to Maljasset over about 16 km, with rocky switchbacks near the col. Fit, acclimatised walkers manage it comfortably in 6 to 7 hours, but the altitude, exposure and long descent make it unsuitable for beginners or poor weather.

How long does the R133 take per day?
The R133 is designed as a single Via Alpina stage, so it is a full day's walk rather than a multi-day route. Allow 6 to 7 hours of moving time plus stops, roughly a 7 to 9 hour day from Ceillac to Maljasset. Starting early — ideally before 8 am — lets you clear the col before any afternoon storms build over the Queyras.

What accommodation is available along the route?
Ceillac has a gîte d'étape, small hotels and a campsite, with dorm beds around €18–25. At the far end, the CAF-run Refuge de Maljasset offers bunks and meals, with full half-board demi-pension typically €45–55. Bivouac is tolerated above the valleys under French rules between dusk and morning, except near the protected lakes. Book refuges well ahead in July and August.

Do I need a permit to hike the R133?
No permit or fee is required. The route crosses the Queyras Regional Nature Park, where you must stay on marked paths, avoid open fires, keep dogs leashed and respect bivouac time windows near the lakes. There are no ticket gates or tolls anywhere on the stage, so your only expenses are accommodation, food and transport to and from the trailheads.

For authoritative route detail and official stage descriptions, consult the Via Alpina official stage page and the Queyras Regional Nature Park.