Col des Thures (2114m) - Vallon des Thures walks

The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) mainly follows the GR®5, with a few possible variations such as the crossing of the Haute Vanoise via the GR®55 and the Via Alpina, which this route takes instead of the GR®5 route via the Col de l’Iseran. It crosses the French Alps from north to south, from Saint-Gingolph to Nice. The guide includes web links to the many accommodation options along the route or nearby: mountain huts, lodges, campsites, cabins and shelters, excluding hotels. Although this guidebook details the GTA as a three-week trek, it can be adapted to suit your own pace, with stages of varying lengths, either completed in one go or in sections over several years. This journey, fuelled by the joy of freedom in unspoilt natural surroundings, will remain a superb and unforgettable experience, offering, moreover, the opportunity to meet many people with whom you can share this same passion for the mountains.

This twelfth stage completes the crossing of the Cerces massifthrough the enchanting Vallée Étroite and the magnificent Vallée de la Clarée. From Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite, the GR®5 climbs south-west, passes the pretty little Lac Chavillon and reaches the Col des Thures. The descent begins gently towards the Cabane des Thures, then becomes steeper in the Combe des Thures, where you can admire the ‘Cheminées de Fée’ (fairy chimneys). It reaches the hamlet of Roubion, crosses the Clarée at the Pont des Armands and passes through the small village of Plampinet before climbing up the gorge of the Torrent des Acles; via the Opon valley, it reaches the Col de Dormillouse, then the Col de la Lauze. From the pass, the path turns towards the Clot des Fonds and descends the Vallon des Baisses, following the Rio Secco torrent, before entering the Durance valley. After Montgenèvre, it leaves the road to follow the Durance and cross a few tributary torrents. At the last one, the route leaves the GR®5 to reach the hamlet of La Vachette.