Tour du Mont Thabor - Beginner

Duration: 4 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

> Discover peaceful Alpine trails perfect for first-time trekkers
> Stay in welcoming mountain huts and taste authentic local dishes
> We handle the accommodations — you just focus on the journey!

The Tour du Mont Thabor – Beginner Edition is a gentle four-day adventure through one of the Alps’ most serene regions. This itinerary invites you to slow down, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and enjoy the beauty of the Vallée de la Clarée without any rush. Designed for newcomers to trekking, it combines scenic hiking days with comfortable overnight stays, creating an ideal balance between effort and relaxation.

Following sections of the legendary GR57, this route circles the striking Mont Thabor on the border between France and Italy. Away from the crowds, the trails lead through green valleys, clear mountain streams, and flower-filled meadows. With no steep climbs or long days, this shorter version of the Tour du Mont Thabor offers all the magic of the Alps in a compact, beginner-friendly format — a perfect way to fall in love with mountain trekking.

Itinerary

Day
1

Névache - Refuge de Ricou

Duration: 03:19 h
Distance: 9.05 km
Ascent: 710 m
Descent: 210 m
Set off from the charming village of Névache and follow the valley westward along a gentle forest trail that climbs above the Clarée River. The path winds through alpine meadows and rocky slopes before reaching the welcoming Refuge de Ricou. A perfect first day — steady, scenic, and just enough to get your legs moving.

Refuge de Ricou

Info
Refuge de Ricou
Refuge de Ricou
Day
2

Refuge de Ricou - Refuge des Drayères

Duration: 02:06 h
Distance: 6.4 km
Ascent: 310 m
Descent: 250 m
From Refuge de Ricou, continue deeper into the valley along quiet streams and grassy slopes. The trail climbs gently, revealing sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. After passing Refuge de Laval, the route ascends steadily toward Refuge des Drayères, beautifully set among rugged cliffs and alpine lakes — a peaceful and scenic day on the trail.

Refuge des Drayères

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Refuge des Drayères
Refuge des Drayères
Day
3

Refuge des Drayeres - Refuge du Clot des Vaches

Duration: 04:21 h
Distance: 11.6 km
Ascent: 580 m
Descent: 510 m
From Refuge des Drayères, the trail leads south through open alpine meadows and rocky slopes, offering wide views of the surrounding peaks. The route gently climbs before a rewarding descent toward Refuge du Clot des Vaches, beautifully located near the valley floor. A varied and scenic stage, combining mountain drama with peaceful landscapes.

refuge du clot des vaches

Info
refuge du clot des vaches
refuge du clot des vaches
Day
4

Refuge du Clot des Vaches - Névache

Duration: 05:07 h
Distance: 13.6 km
Ascent: 450 m
Descent: 1090 m
Begin the final stage with a steady climb toward Refuge du Chardonnet, rewarded by sweeping mountain views. From there, descend through alpine pastures and forest paths back to Névache. The long descent makes this stage more challenging, but it’s a beautiful finale — a perfect mix of effort, scenery, and satisfaction at the finish.

Included

  • Full travel guide

    You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Tour du Mont Thabor. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.

  • Accommodation

    During your Tour du Mont Thabor, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.

  • Breakfast in Hotels

    In the Hotels, we include Breakfast for you. Bear in mind that lunch and dinner are not included, but they can be most of the time purchased in or near the hotels.

  • Navigation support

    Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

FAQ

  • What Is the Best Season for The Tour du Mont Thabor?

  • Getting to Névache

  • Getting Back from Névache

  • What if the dates I want are not available?

  • If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

  • How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

Packing List for the Tour du Mont Thabor

  • Information

  • Essentials

  • Extras

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