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Tour du Mont Thabor - Including accommodation before and after

Bookatrekking.com Trips - 7 days

    Regular days with
  • 15 - 20 km per day
  • 500 - 1000m ascent per day
  • T2 Trails / no difficulty markings
Overview
Route
What's Included?
Accommodation
Packing List
FAQ
Safety
COVID-19
How to Book

Overview

> Enjoy the French and Italian cuisine in cozy huts
> Hike our 5-day Tour du Mont Thabor itinerary that will give you a fantastic Alpine challenge
> Accommodation in Névache before and after the trek is included

The Tour du Mont Thabor, the French Alps' best-kept secret. In Vallée de la Clarée you can find unspoiled Alpine scenery, away from the beaten track, the most hospitable gites and refuges, and to top it all off: The option for a family-friendly trek. Forget the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Walker's Haute Route, and the other big names. Around Mont Thabor you can enjoy quality mountain time without having to take too much time off and without breaking the bank. We wanted to keep it all for ourselves, but happiness is only real when shared. So, allez! Let's discover the Tour du Mont Thabor and the trails of Vallée de la Clarée together! On this 7-day tour, we have included the accommodation in Névache before and after the trek. 
 
Grande Randonnée GR57 is better known as the Tour du Mont Thabor. This is a loop around the lesser known but still very prominent Mont Thabor, in Vallée de la Clarée in the Hautes-Alpes. Vallée de la Clarée is a sheltered, dead-end valley north of the fortified town of Briancon, on the border between France and Italy and forms part of the unspoilt Massif des Cerces. There are no ski slopes or other large-scale tourism, this valley is there only for hikers, cyclists, and other nature lovers. When doing the full circuit, you can expect a total distance of around 85 kilometers and more than 5,000 meters of elevation gain. You don't have to, though. Tour du Mont Thabor is easily broken up into pieces.

Why book with us?
 
You can do the Tour du Mont Thabor fully independent and self-guided. However, stringing an itinerary including all the accommodation together can be a complicated undertaking. Bookatrekking.com has warm contacts with all the huts on the Tour du Mont Thabor and we can take the load of having to book every hut yourself off your shoulders. Let us help you to make your Tour du Mont Blanc memories stress-free and enjoy free hiking advice from our trekking experts while you're at it. 

Route

What's the Plan?

Arrival in Névache
Bonjour! Welcome to France. Today you arrive in Névache and are expected in a pleasant accommodation in the village. Your overnight stay includes breakfast. 

Etappe 1: From Névache to Refuge des Drayères
From Névache you follow the Clarée in a northwest direction. You follow a contour path all the way past Refuge de Ricou (coffee stop!) and Les Chaumes. Today offers a great warm-up for what's to come. Not too easy, not too hard, but it definitely gets the legs moving. You can also take an alternative route via Refuge de Laval, but if you want to do it properly, stay on the GR route.
 
Ascent: 1060 meters
Descent: 490 meters
Distance: 18 kilometers

Etappe 2: From Refuge des Drayères to Valmeinier
More descent than ascent is on the menu for today. Find your way past streams and, especially, past lakes. You are hiking from one "Lac" to the other, starting with Lac de la Clarée. Then there is Lac Rond, after that Lac Grand Ban, and eventually even Lac Vert. Lac Vert is known for its beautiful blue-green colors. There's more than lakes: The views are magnificent on this stage, and your stay for the night is in the small hamlet Valmeinier. Here you will spend the night in a cozy mountain hotel.

Ascent: 760 meters
Descent: 1420 meters
Distance: 20 kilometers

Etappe 3: From Valmeinier to Refuge du Mont Thabor
A tough day at the office today. With almost 1,800 meters vertical meters, your legs will get a good beating. This is because Col des Marches is on the schedule for today. Your long ascent will be rewarded with a quick dip to refuge, which has the same name. Here you can recharge your batteries for the next col; Col de Battalières. From the top you have fantastic views over de surrounding peaks and lakes of Sainte-Marguerite. Two hundred meters of elevation lie between you and the hospitable Refuge du Mont Thabor. Well done, grab a beer!

Ascent: 1760 meters
Descent: 750 meters
Distance: 18 kilometers

Etappe 4: Refuge du Mont Thabor to Granges de la Vallée Étroite
Today, you have the option to tag the peak of Mont Thabor, but this is not the goal of GR57. After all, it's a tour. If you still have legs after yesterday's hike, however, it will definitely be worth your time and energy. From the top, you can enjoy endless views over the Vanoise and the Écrins. It will extend your hike by about 4 hours. If you don't go for Mont Thabor, you can keep hiking all the way downhill to Granges de la Vallée Étroite.

Stage 4 including Mont Thabor
Ascent:  760 meters
Descent: 1480 meters
Distance: 17 kilometers
 
Stage 4 excluding Mont Thabor
Ascent: 0 meters
Descent: 720 meters
Distance: 8 kilometers

Etappe 5: Granges de la Vallée Étroite to Névache
One last good day on the Tour du Mont Thabor. From Granges, it is about 6 hours back to the starting point of the trek; Névache. You start with walking back for around 2 kilometers to get back on the route of Tour du Mont Thabor. On the way, you will still find a few fantastic highlights and you will of course get to see undulating views. One last push to Col du Vallon, and before you know it you are enjoying a well-deserved blonde beer in Névache. Here, you can spend one more night, or you can travel onwards to the next set of mountains.
 
Ascent: 870 meters
Descent: 1050 meters
Distance: 14 kilometers

Departure Day
After breakfast, you can check out. This is the end of your Tour du Mont Thabor adventure. We hope to see you again soon. Au Revoir!


What's Included?

Included:

 Booking the huts
We will take care of arranging accommodation for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead. 

√ Accommodation
We will arrange your accommodation on the Tour du Mont Thabor in mountain huts. There are several options to choose from along the trail. We have selected the mountain huts on our trek based on the length of each stage and recommendations from trekkers who have done the Tour du Mont Thabor before us.

√ Accommodation before and after the trek
We will arrange the accommodation for you the nights before and after your Tour du Mont Thabor trek.  On those two nights, you will sleep in accommodations in Névache. Breakfast is included.

√ Half-board
Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts.

Excluded:

× Airfare and Visa
You have to make your way to Névache. The total amount does not include flights to France/Italy. 

× Transfers
Once in France, you will have to make your way to the trailhead in Névache. We will provide the instructions and assist you with how to get there. 

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

× 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.

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

Accommodation

Accommodation

During your Tour du Mont Thabor, you will spend your nights in French mountain huts/hotel. If you book the Tour du Mont Thabor, the booked accommodations may differ from the below program here and there. A beautiful location and great food are at all times guaranteed.

Refuge des Drayères
The atmosphere in Refuge des Drayères is warm and friendly. The refuge team welcomes all the hikers into their mountain hut. Warm up by the stove after your day in the mountains and enjoy a moment of sharing and relaxation in the lounge. 

Hôtel Club Les Carrettes in Valmeinier
Hôtel Club Les Carrettes is located in Valmeinier, at an altitude of 1800 metres. The accommodation faces south and you can enjoy views over the Maurienne valley.

Refuge du Mont Thabor
Surrounding the Refuge, you will find beautiful mountain lakes. Fanny and Cédric, a couple of friendly young wardens, welcome and advise families and hikers on their way around Mount Thabor (3178 m).

Rifugio Terzo Alpini
The Terzo Alpini is a Rifugio in Valle Stretta, at 1780 meters above sea level in Valle Stretta, between Bardonecchia (Italy) and Briancon (France). At Rifugio Terzo Alpini, their tradition is typical Italian cuisine!

Packing List

Packing List

It doesn't matter where you are going trekking or for how long. Carrying the right equipment with you is paramount. For the Tour du Mont Thabor you will need, first and foremost, a good backpack and comfortable trekking shoes. The size of your backpack will depend on how many days you will be spending on the mountain, the season, and the clothes you will be taking with you. We have prepared a packing list with some essential clothing that you should include and some extras that you may find useful:

Essentials

- Walking boots (worn in)
- Walking socks
- Base layer tops – ideally thermal
- Mid-layer tops (eg. fleece)
- Trekking Trousers
- Hat for warmth or shade
- Gloves
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Warm layer. 
- Casual clothes & footwear for evenings. 
- Nightwear and underwear
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses & sun cream
- Toiletries

Extras 
- Small first aid kit
- Blister Plasters
- Insect repellent
- Electrical socket adapter
- Camera and charger
- Map and compass 
- Whistle
- Book to read
- Energy snacks
- Walking poles
- Buff

FAQ

FAQ

Where Are the Tour du Mont Thabor and Vallée de la Clarée?
Mont Thabor is a 3,178 meter high mountain in the Massif des Cerces Range, in the Hautes-Alpes in France. Although beautiful, we are more interested in the trails around this peak, especially the ones starting the picturesque town of Névache. This village can be found in Vallée de la Clarée and is one of the Alps' best-kept secrets. Sure, Chamonix is great, Courmayeur is fantastic, and, Zermatt is perhaps Mecca, but Névache has it all when looking for an unspoiled hiking experience.
 
Although in France, logistics to Névache from Turin seem easier. The valley can be easily reached from the SS335/E70 main route between French Fourneaux and Italian Turin. Coming from the French side, Névache is basically at the end of the quiet road from Grenoble to Briancon. No wonder, the Tour du Mont Thabor is a bit of a secret. The Tour du Mont Thabor is one of the Grande Randonnées (GR), a name given to long-distance walks in this part of the world, and has been given the number 57. The full GR57 is about 85 kilometers in distance and gives you over 5,000 meters vertical gain.

Is The Tour du Mont Thabor For Me?
In Vallée de la Clarée, around Mont Thabor, you can find an array of mountain huts, known as refuges and gites. On a longer version of the tour, these huts can be used for both sleeping and mid-day aid stations. On a shorter tour, the aid stations can become your accommodation for the night. Because there are so many different refuges, the Tour du Mont Thabor can be designed in such a way that not only seasoned mountain goats can get their satisfaction, but the young and aspiring goats will also have a good time.
 
The route has no technical difficulties and is suitable for anyone with a decent physical condition. This leaves time for long picnic breaks at the mountain lakes, fantastic views from the peaks, and a drink on the terrace of a mountain hut at the end of the day. Is it for you? If you are looking for a challenge but don't want to take it straight to Everest Base Camp, hiking in Vallée de la Clarée could be a good stepping stone. Long story short? Yes, this trek is most likely for you!

What Is the Best Season for The Tour du Mont Thabor?
The official season is from mid-June to mid-September, but when you hike the Tour du Mont Thabor or anywhere else in Vallée de la Clarée between mid-July and late August the chances for good weather and snow-free trails. It’s peak season, so make sure to book as much in advance as possible. If you decide to go trekking in September, you’re still in for a treat and it’s not as busy on the trail. But this could also mean that some accommodations might be closed for the season already. Also, the days are shorter, the weather is colder and there is a chance of snow.

Before and After the Tour du Mont Thabor: Névache Logistics
Because the Tour du Mont Thabor is essentially a circuit, you could technically start your version of the trek from anywhere. However, we like Névache as a starting point and that is why we believe you should start and finish your trek in Névache too. We have already told you that it is not particularly easy or straightforward, getting to Névache and Vallée de la Clarée. Part of the charm and beauty of the valley comes from its remoteness. The journey is part of the adventure and of course well worth it!
 
By plane:
You can either fly to Turin in Italy, which is about 1.5 hours away from Névache, or you can fly to Marseille or Grenoble on the French side. Both these cities are about 3.5 hours away from Névache. You would then still have to get to the nearest train station (Marseille and Grenoble) and travel to Briançon. This is the closest train station.
 
By train:
The closest train station is Briançon in France and Bardonnechia and Oulx in Italy. There's a night train from Paris to Briançon, where you can hop on a shuttle bus (Linkbus) to Névache. Also, you can take the TGV train on the Paris-Milan line from Paris to Oulx. From here you can also get a shuttle to Briançon and thus Névache.
 
By car:
Assuming you come out of the direction of Paris, you will want to drive to Italy first and approach Névache from the Oulx side. From Bardonecchia, you will climb the Echelle Passe (Colle della Scala) towards Vallée de la Clarée.

Safety

What to do in Case of an Emergency?

A situation is defined as an emergency whenever human life (yours or someone else's) is endangered and there is nothing you can do to resolve the matter. You should call for help if there has been an accident, if there is somebody trapped, if you got lost or in trouble and are unable to continue because of the time of day or weather conditions, or if you are trapped because of technical climbing challenges that exceed your capabilities.

The most important thing to do in an emergency is to stay calm and survey the situation. Do not panic or take useless risks if the people in trouble are difficult to reach. In an emergency, first and foremost, call for assistance. When calling for help, make sure to provide your location and the number of victims and type of injuries. Then, protect the victim from cold and other environmental threats and administer first aid, if you can.
 
Useful emergency phone numbers:
 
France General Emergencies: 112
PGHM de Briançon: +33 4 92 21 58 58

COVID-19

Covid-19

The Corona pandemic has had its grip on us, and mountain huts in the Alpine region have had to take several preventive measures over the past two years. In the meantime, the first relaxations in the Alps are noticeable, yet it is definitely still a factor to take into account. Some Covid restrictions that are worth mentioning:

- Don't go to the huts if you have symptoms!

- Not all mountain huts are allowed to operate at full capacity yet, so make sure you book your stay in advance.

- To be on the safe side, always take a mouth mask with you.

- In some mountain huts it is still compulsory to bring your own sleeping bag, in others a sheet bag and pillowcase are sufficient. Your personal travel guide will tell you which rules apply to your route.

- Bring your own towel

How to Book

How to Book?

On Bookatrekking.com you can find and compare the adventures of your dreams. Is this trekking your match? In that case, you can proceed with your booking. At Bookatrekking.com you make a deposit of 30% of the total amount. In the case of this trek, we will check the availability at the respective accommodations for you. There are two possible outcomes:

 There is availability 
We go ahead and make all necessary arrangements for your trip. Once confirmed, we will send you a confirmation and your personal hiking guide. The remaining 70% must be paid at least two (2) weeks before the start of the trekking.

X There is no availability 
If there is no availability, we will look for other starting dates or another trekking in agreement with you. Are there no other options for you? Then your deposit of 30% will be refunded.

Cancellation Policy
If all the accommodations of this trekking are booked and confirmed, you will lose your deposit of 30% at all times. If you cancel within 14 days of your start date, you will lose your full booking amount.

Is it not quite clear yet or do you have questions? Please contact us via support@bookatrekking.com. We are happy to help you.

 

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