5 days (4 nights): Tour around Mont Thabor starting from Valmeinier

Partial track: some stages have no GPS track.

1. D1
   Day 1

   The climb to Refuge de Terre Rouge

   2 h · 1800 m → 2182 m

   From the 1800 ski resort, follow the Casses piste over the footbridge. Cross the Chaudanne piste and follow the route to the La Chenalette car park. Then take the hiking trail by the Croix de la Portète. After the bridge over the Neuvache, follow the stream for 150 metres and head up towards the ruins and the birch tree wood. Follow Combe de Corniou as far as the chapel. Then head down to the refuge.

   Night 1 · tonight's refuge

   Refuge Terre RougeBookable online

   Bookable online, one night at a time, from its page. See its places

   See the refuge pageCall 09 88 18 79 03

2. D2
   Day 2

   Refuge de Terre Rouge to Vallée Etroite via Mont Thabor

   2182 m → 1760 m

   From the refuge: Climb up the Neuvache to Col de la Chapelle (2,943 m), join the hiking route from the Vallée Etroite and climb to the chapel and then the summit (3,178 m). Head down into the “Narrow Valley” until you reach the refuges (1,760 m).

   Night 2 · tonight's refuge

   Refuge I Re MagiWith the refuge

   See the refuge pageCall 00.39.349.611.29.20

   Refuge Terzo AlpiniWith the refuge

   See the refuge pageCall +33651200518

3. D3
   Day 3

   From the refuges of la Vallée Etroite to Refuge Buffère

   +1,380 m · −1,045 m · 1760 m → 2076 m

   From Granges de la Vallée Etroite, head up the “Narrow Valley” as far as Pont de la Fonderie (1,920 m). Pass around Tête du Chien heading north, and then south to join Col du Vallon (2,645 m, +880 m). Drop down to the combe of Vallon de Ville Haute (1,600 m, -1,045 m). Take the snow-covered Haute Vallée de la Clarée route as far as the Lacou chapels and bear left (South-West) at an altitude of 1,770 m towards Pont du Rately. Then walk up to Refuge Buffère (2,076 m) along a route that is generally well maintained, to enjoy refreshments at the refuge (+500 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge Buffère.

   Night 3 · tonight's refuge

   Refuge BuffèreBookable online

   Bookable online, one night at a time, from its page. See its places

   See the refuge pageCall 06 60 50 58 15

4. D4
   Day 4

   Refuge Buffère to the refuges of Haute Clarée

   Head due west, joining Bois de Sully at an altitude of 2,221 m and crossing below Crêtes de Baudes via Casse Pinière. Stay above the forest until you reach the foot of Grande Manche. Follow the Crête du Queyrellin, and then Tête de la Cassille (3,069 m) and Combe du Lac Rouge. You will then reach the chalets of Laval and Refuge Laval or climb back up to Refuge des Drayères.

   Night 4 · tonight's refuge

   Refuge des DrayèresWith the refuge

   See the refuge pageCall 09 82 12 53 08

   Refuge LavalWith the refuge

   See the refuge pageCall 07 86 62 60 97

5. D5
   Day 5

   Haute Clarée to Valmeinier

   Col de Névache (2,794 m) down to Valmeinier via Les Barmettes, Notre Dame des Neiges and Combe de Corniou, then along the left bank of the stream to reach Valmeinier. A second night’s stay at Refuge de Terre Rouge.

   Arrival · end of the tour

   No night to book that evening.