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Col du Vallon walks
4 days in the Clarée Valley (Cerces and Thabor)
Visorando Member
30.15 mi
+12,549 ft
-12,520 ft
4 days
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
This 4-day circular bivouac is for experienced hikers.
It does, of course, follow sections of marked trails (GR®,GRP®), but the nature of the terrain when off-trail requires extreme caution (rock falls) and a solid knowledge of navigation, especially in unpredictable weather. The daily summit climb is obviously dependent on your equipment (crampons?), weather conditions (snowfields?) and your physical fitness.
Lac Lavoir - Laval car park via the Pic du Lac Blanc
8.57 mi
+2,746 ft
-3,556 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
Last day of the circular, returning to the Laval car park via the Col du Vallon and the Pic du Lac Blanc, from where you can see the route of the previous three days.
Walks near Col du Vallon
Lac Blanc - Refuge des Drayères
7.21 mi
+2,339 ft
-3,763 ft
5h 20
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A day at high altitude in a rocky landscape, starting with the ascent of Mont Thabor (3,178 m), followed by a long descent to the Refuge des Drayères.
Lac des Méandes - Mont Thabor - Valfréjus
11.02 mi
+2,379 ft
-5,850 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
The hike starts after the bivouac at Lac des Méandes (below Col des Méandes) to reach the summit of Mont Thabor and admire the 360° view of the mountains. Then return via the Refuge du Mont Thabor and descend to Valfréjus.
Chalet de Laval - Alpe du Lauzet
8.12 mi
+2,785 ft
-3,793 ft
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A traverse of the Cerces massif via one of its highest passes (Béraudes) and some very beautiful lakes.And a chance to see much of the previous day’s descent route, as well as the many lakes on the other side.In early summer, the route can be made difficult by the presence of snow in the Lac des Béraudes cirque or a snow cornice on the Col des Béraudes (speaking from experience).
Lacs de la Madeleine - Lac Lavoir via Mont Thabor
6.38 mi
+2,283 ft
-3,448 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
Third day of the circular with ascent of Mont Thabor (highest point of the route) via the oldGR® trail along the Roche du Chardonnet ridge and the Valmeinier Glacier, which presents certain difficulties compared to the newGR® route.
As with the other days of the circular, this route is intended for very experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.
Laval car park - Lac des Cerces
7.23 mi
+3,537 ft
-2,254 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
First day of a 4-day circular starting from the Laval car park in the Upper Clarée Valley. As with the other parts of this circular, this route is intended for experienced hikers who are accustomed to high mountains.
The Clarée lakes route: Laramon, Serpent, Les Gardioles, Blanc
8.96 mi
+3,579 ft
-4,459 ft
7h 15
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
This hike is certainly long, but it will allow you to discover one of the major areas of the wonderful Clarée Valley.
Lac de la Cula via the circular trail
4.95 mi
+2,001 ft
-1,463 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful hike with magnificent scenery. The climb to the Ricou refuge is a little steep but not particularly difficult. Once you reach the circular path, the route is very easy, almost flat until you reach the Torrent de la Cula. The view over the entire valley is truly superb. From the lake, the trail descends to Laval.
Fontcouverte Campsite - Lac de la Ponsonnière
7.08 mi
+3,691 ft
-1,391 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
For this first three-day stage, the route offers magnificent views of the Écrins Massif at the Col du Chardonnet and then of the Grand Lac. We have chosen to camp at Lac de la Ponsonnière, but it is entirely possible to camp on the heights of the Grand Lac, near the pastoral house. This allows you to shorten the duration of this first day slightly and, above all, reduce the elevation gain by around 200m.
From the Mont Thabor Refuge to Grange Bernard
Association / Club / Walk leader10.96 mi
+2,671 ft
-5,587 ft
7h 20
Difficult
Departure from Modane (Savoie)
Third and final stage of the short Mont Thabor circuit hike.
Thabor Refuge - Terzo Alpini Refuge
10.06 mi
+2,690 ft
-5,069 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Modane (Savoie)
The second stage of this route is one of the most beautiful, thanks to the panoramic views and, above all, the ascent of Mont Thabor to an altitude of nearly 3,200 metres. Be mindful of the temperature and altitude. You’ll have your eyes fixed on the summit of Thabor, one of the day’s main objectives. The route takes you through the Peyron valley, with Thabor opposite, the Cheval Blanc to the right, Lake Peyron, the Grand Seru, the Col du Méandre, the ascent of Thabor, and then the descent towards the Granges de la Vallée Étroite.