Moderate Tour du Mont Thabor

Starting in Névache, the route first follows the Clarée through the lower valley, passing the Névache bridge and sections of woodland. Early on, you get views towards a waterfall beside the trail, and the route also passes Lac Bleu, a small lake close to the valley floor. The surroundings are still green and forested here, but the path is already rocky and uneven in places.

The route then begins a long and steady climb through larch forest and across the mountainside. The path is often narrow, with loose stones, exposed roots and rough sections that can slow your progress. As you gain elevation, the trees gradually become more scattered and the landscape opens into alpine slopes, with increasingly wide views across the Clarée valley and the surrounding peaks.

Higher up, the route continues across open and rocky mountain terrain. An out-and-back section leads to Lac Laramon, a mountain lake set below rugged slopes. After visiting the lake, you return along the same path and continue climbing across exposed plateaus and stony trails. The final section passes through a broad high-mountain landscape before descending towards Refuge des Drayères. With its length and more than 1,000 metres of ascent, this is a demanding first day, so an early start is strongly recommended.

This is a long and demanding mountain stage from Refuge des Drayères to Valmeinier, covering 22.5 km with 1,030 m of ascent and 1,410 m of descent. The route estimate is 8 hours and 30 minutes, but remember that this does not include breaks and can vary a lot depending on fitness, weather, and trail conditions. With a demanding climb and a big descent ahead, starting early is strongly recommended.

From Refuge des Drayères, the route climbs through open alpine terrain towards Lac Clarée and Round Lake before reaching Plagnette Pass at 2,525 m. This first section gives you a high mountain start, with lakes, stony paths and wide views between the surrounding peaks. After the pass, the trail continues across varied terrain and gradually works its way towards Lac Vert, the last major lake highlight of the route.

The final part is long and should not be underestimated. After Lac Vert, the route descends steeply on a narrow mountain path, losing a lot of height before reaching the valley floor, then climbs back up into Valmeinier. This last stretch can feel tiring at the end of such a long route, so keep a steady pace and take your time. Once you reach the village, you can settle into your accommodation and recover properly.