Col de la Vallée Etroite (2730m - Maurienne) walks

This route takes the Sentier des Girauds and then the Sentier des Teppes, before retracing its steps and ending with the Sentier des Girauds, which leads to the Roc 1 cable car arrival point. As the ski touring trail is not marked before the Christmas holidays and is impossible to find, it is still possible to take the footpath, which offers a beautiful, easily accessible hike, perfect for an introduction to ski touring.

First beautiful stage of a challenging three-day tour of Mont Thabor. A beautiful stage with an elevation gain of almost 1,200 metres. Climb to the Bissorte dam, cross the Vallon des Marches, with a possible break at the refuge. Then climb to the beautiful Lac des Bataillères and the pass of the same name, with a superb view of the Lacs Sainte Marguerite and the Vallon de la Grande Montagne. Breathtaking view of the Cheval Blanc.

First stage of the Petit tour du Mont Thabor hike

This second stage links the Peclet Polset Refuge to the Lacs Merlets Refuge via the Col du Soufre. You walk alongside the great Gebroulaz Glacier before reaching the Refuge du Saut. Next comes the ascent of the Col de Chanrouge and the arrival at the Lacs Merlets. This stage takes you off the usual route through the Vanoise National Park. The landscapes are very wild. You’ll find plenty of edelweiss here.

This eleventh stage crosses the Mont Cenis massif and, in part, the Cerces massif. From the Refuge de l’Orgère, the GR®5 descends to Loutraz, crossing the River Arc via the bridge to the east of Modane. The route goes round the town hall, passes the church, follows the railway line eastwards, then westwards, and climbs the slope beneath the Fréjus Tunnel to pass under the motorway. It continues its ascent towards Notre-Dame du Charmaix. After the Valfréjus resort, it enters the Ruisseau du Charmaix valley and reaches the hamlet of Les Herbiers. Below the old Small Pass, it crosses the stream and, following the road, reaches the Lavoir Reservoir before tackling the steep climb towards La Losa, then, via the Combe de la Grande Montagne, reaches the Col de la Vallée Étroite. After a detour to the east, the descent heads due south, towards the Plaine Tavernette, then the valley of the same name. Finally, the GR®5 follows the Ruisseau de la Vallée Étroite to the Granges de la Vallée Étroite.

Starting from the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes through the Valon de l'Orgère to reach the Col de la Masse (2,952 m) with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m), then follows the valleys to reach the Refuge du Fond d'Aussois.

The first stage takes you from the Refuge d’Orgére to the Refuge de Peclet Polset. Although short, this first stage features a significant elevation gain, helping you get into your stride for the rest of the trek. The views above the Maurienne Valley are already splendid. You’ll cross your first pass, the Col de Chaviére, at nearly 2,800 metres. Views of the Écrins and the Thabor, reminding us of the 2018 route.

From the Refuge du Saut to the Refuge Porte de l'Orgère, the route passes close to the Gébroulaz Glacier via the Col du Soufre (2,817 m) before descending towards Lac Blanc and, via theGR®55, the Col de Chavière (2,796 m) and the Tête Noire rocks.

The second day of a two-day hike in the Maurienne region, including a bivouac.

A challenging hike starting from Valfréjus resort, the first stage to reach Lac des Méandes (below Col des Méandes). The view is incredible all along the route.Be careful, there is very little shade and at an altitude of 2,700 metres, it is always a little chilly.