Tour of Mont Thabor
In 6 days
The cross-border tracks around Mont Thabor are traditional points of passage between the Maurienne, Upper Susa and Clarée Valleys. The Tour of Mont Thabor is a moderately difficult, multi-day walk through fabulously varied countryside, where every pass and every valley reveals new delights. The wild and unspoilt landscape of mountain lakes and rocky slopes also provides superb views into the Vanoise and Ecrins National Parks and across the Queyras Mountains to Italy.
Start district: Valmeinier 1500
Region: Maurienne
Road access and parking: Take the A43 to St-Michel-Valloire. Follow signs to Valloire (D902), and then Valmeinier 1500 (D215A). Go into the centre of Valmeinier and turn left 100 m after La Taverne to get to "La Ville Dessus". Park here.
Type of itinerary: A to B
Best season: from spring to summer, when snow free
Waymarkers: GRP Tour du Thabor
Maps and guides: 3535 OT Névache Mont Thabor / "Autour du Thabor" guidebook
Mountain huts
Refuge des Marches 2183 m
http://www.refugedesmarches.com/
Refuge du Thabor: 2502 m
http://maurienne.ffcam.fr/club/
Refuge I Ré Magi (Vallée Etroite) 1765 m
http://www.iremagi.it/
Refuge Terzo Alpini (Vallée Etroite) 1765 m
http://www.terzoalpini.com/
Névache: hotels, auberges, gîtes
Contact the Vallée de la Clarée TO: 04 92 21 38 19
Refuge des Drayères 2180 m
Tel: hut: 04 92 21 36 01 / warden: 04 92 21 37 28 / CAF: 04 92 20 16 52
DAY 1: From Valmeinier 1500 to the Refuge des Marches
Start height: 1500 m
Height difference: +1225m / - 542 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 5hrs
Description:
This variant on the GR follows the stream along the Vallon des Inversins to the Col des Marches. From the pass at 2725 m, the path descends to the Refuge des Marches, providing excellent views of the Lac de Bissorte.
Highlight
A wild and airy route that finishes magnificently with a 360° panorama of the Maurienne Valley and the Ecrins Mountains.
DAY 2: Refuge des Marches to the Refuge du Thabor
Start height: 2183 m
Height difference: + 604 m / - 297 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 3hrs 15min
Description:
This stage could be called the "lake trail". From the hut, follow the path under the Roche Noire and past the Lac des Bataillères to the Col des Bataillères (2787 m), situated on the ridgeline that runs southwards from the Crêtes des Sarrasins. As the path descends to the Refuge du Mont Thabor you can admire the reflection of the Cheval Blanc in the clear waters of the Lacs de Sainte-Marguerite (Lac Long and Lac Rond).
Highlight
The tiny huts between the Lac de Bissorte and the Lac des Bataillères were built as shelters and rest stops for smugglers and their mules.
DAY 3: Refuge du Thabor to the Granges de la Vallée Etroite, including the ascent of Mont Thabor
Start height: 2502 m
Height difference: + 676 m / - 1313 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 7hrs
Description:
Head towards the Col de la Vallée Etroite, and then follow the GR57. Go past Lac Peyron, and over the Col des Méandes. Cross the plateau at the foot of the gully, and then take the path on the left onto the shoulder. Follow the way of the cross to the aptly named chapel of Notre Dame des Douleurs (Our Lady of the Pains). Continue easily to the summit. Follow the same path back to the Col des Méandes, then turn right and go down to the Prat du Plan. Go past the Maison des Chamois, a former iron mine, to get to the Pont de la Fonderie. Spend the night in one of the two huts (I Ré Magi or Terzo Alpini) at the Granges de la Vallée Etroite.
Highlight
This stage takes you to the summit of Mont Thabor, from where you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Alps, taking in prestigious peaks such as the Grandes Jorasses, the Matterhorn, the Grande Casse, Mont Pourri, the Ciamarella, Mont Viso and the Aiguilles d'Arves.
DAY 4: Granges de la Vallée Etroite to Névache
Start height: 1765 m
Height difference: + 406 m / - 571 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 5hrs 15min
Description:
The GR5/GR57 takes you to the Col des Thures, where the mountains of the three kings are reflected in the waters of Lac Chavillon. Follow the valley to the Chalets des Thures (possible to climb the Aiguille Rouge: 2hr round trip). As the path descends to Névache, look out for the "hoodoos" (narrow pillars of rock supporting a cap of harder stone) on the left. Follow the Roubion stream to the hamlet of the same name, and then follow the Clarée Valley to Névache (hotels, gîtes, auberges, etc).
Highlight
The Vallée Etroite has retained its undefinable Italian charm. This leg gives a taste of the southern Alps.
DAY 5: Névache to the Refuge des Drayères
Start height: 1600 m
Height difference: + 917 m / - 437 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 5hrs 45min
Description:
Go up the Clarée Valley to the Pont du Rately. Cross the river and go up the switchbacks to the Chalets de Biaune. Follow the Chemin de Ronde to the Refuge des Drayères.
Highlight
The Chemin de Ronde was the path patrolled by Louis XIV's soldiers to protect the area from incursions from neighbouring Savoie and from pillagers.
DAY 6: Refuge des Drayères to Valmeinier 1500
Start height: 2170 m
Height difference: + 624 m / - 1304 m
Total time, not including rest stops: 8hrs
Description:
This leg brings you back from Les Hautes Alpes to Savoie. Cross the Seuil des Rochilles and go past its three lakes (Lac de la Clarée, Lac Rond and Lac du Grand Ban). The path then heads right over the Pas des Griffes (2554 m) before descending to Les Arendiers. Follow the Neuvache stream back to Valmeinier.
Highlight
This stage across alpine pastures is both varied and strenuous. Solitude is guaranteed as you follow a succession of ridges, small summits and passes; the only signs of human occupation being a few chalets, shepherd's huts and an 18th century fort on the Plateau de la Plagnette.
