The Queyrelles and Gaillard Canal Circular Loop

An easy walk along the canals of Briançon, offering a chance to discover the skill of our ancestors who, without any measuring tools, managed to dig these canals to supply Briançon and its fountains, as well as the vegetable gardens.

Details

6141206
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.31 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 404 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 384 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,465 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,039 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the large car park at the circular area in Briançon.

(S/E) Cross the D1091 road and take the road opposite leading to Fortville. Follow the left bank of the Guisanne and reach afirst bridge. Do not cross it but continue along the road. Reach asecond bridge.

(1) Turn left here, continue along the road until you reach the crossroads marked by a wayside shrine. Take the path on the right. You will soon reach the left bank of the Canal des Queyrelles. Follow it to reach the Pont Carle, which also spans the Guisanne.

(2) Turn right onto it, continue along the Route du Pont Carle, and pass under the D1091 road. Then turn right into Rue des Aillauds to reach the drawbridge.

(3) Turn left onto Rue de l’Église, then right onto Chemin des Mésanges. Walk past the cemetery on your right and the Canal Gaillard on your left. The road crosses the canal. Continue along the wide path on the left bank of the canal. You’ll reach the Chantoiseau complex where the canal runs underground, then the road leading to the car parks of this centre.

(4) Take this road to the left, go up tothe second car park, and cross it by turning right. At the end of the car park, join a path running alongside the canal again. Follow it past the Rostoland neighbourhood to reach the crossroads at a place called l’Enfer.

(5) Leave the canal here and head down to the right.First cross the Route de Grenoble and then take Avenue Adrien Daurelle opposite, walking alongside the hospital. Continue downhill to easily reach the Grande Boucle car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,098 ft - Grande Boucle car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.55 - alt. 4,088 ft - Second bridge - Guisane (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 2.05 - alt. 4,311 ft - Pont Carle
  4. 3 : mi 2.44 - alt. 4,432 ft - Drawbridge
  5. 4 : mi 3.24 - alt. 4,449 ft - Chantoiseau
  6. 5 : mi 4.47 - alt. 4,419 ft - L'Enfer
  7. S/E : mi 5.31 - alt. 4,098 ft - Grande Boucle car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Pascal.Ch
Pascal.Ch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike along the canals.
Some difficulty finding the trail; you need to keep the canals on your left, especially between points 4 and 5.
In Briançon, it is no longer possible to pass through the buildings called "Les Coralines" as the passage is blocked by a fence.

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Mathilde1789
Mathilde1789

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike with absolutely stunning weather!!! We had a brilliant time. Yes, like everyone else, it got a bit trickier towards the end, but we made our way back to the centre of Briançon by road. I really do recommend this hike.

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Helene102
Helene102

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant walk, with plenty of shade, which is lovely in hot weather.

We lost the path a little just before and after point 5, but thanks to the GPS, we easily found an alternative route.

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MikeC
MikeC

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The end of the trail, above Briançon, has been cut off by roadworks, and the path has not yet been reopened.
Otherwise, a lovely hike

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