Tour du Mont Thabor - Moderate

The final stage of the Tour du Mont Thabor begins in the quiet valley near Les Granges and Refuge Terzo Alpini. The first stretch follows an easy track through wide meadows, with scattered trees, old stone walls, and the clear mountain stream of the Vallée Étroite flowing beside you. It’s a gentle start, with open views and a peaceful early-morning atmosphere.

After passing the hamlets, the trail starts to climb steadily into a forested slope. A series of switchbacks leads you through a mix of pine and larch, with patches of sunlight filtering through the trees. The forest here is calm and sheltered, and from time to time the trees open up to reveal glimpses of the rocky cliffs and high ground above.

Higher up, the forest thins and the terrain becomes more open. The path crosses a broad hillside of pale, dry stone, a striking contrast to the green valley below. As you gain altitude, long views appear in both directions: back toward the Italian side and forward toward the French border. In the upper section, the route passes the small mountain lake Lac Chavillon, a quiet spot surrounded by light-brown grasslands and exposed ridges.

The approach to the Col du Vallon feels wide and airy, with soft slopes, open plateaus, and a clear sense of crossing into a new landscape. From the pass, the view opens suddenly across the French side of the mountains, revealing the deep Clarée valley and the peaks that frame the horizon. It’s a rewarding moment, a final high point before the descent back to Névache.

The long descent follows a well-defined path that zigzags down through forested hillsides. The scenery changes again: pine trees return, the air becomes warmer, and the sound of the river slowly grows as you lose altitude. You’ll pass open glades, rocky steps, and shaded stretches beneath thick woodland. As the valley widens, the rooftops of Névache begin to appear in the distance.

The final part of the route leads through the edge of the village, past old stone houses and quiet lanes, before ending in the heart of Névache. It’s a satisfying finish: a varied day with open plateaus, forest paths, a calm mountain lake, and one last panoramic viewpoint before returning to where the journey began.