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Park at Le Lavoir (1,923 m), which can be reached via a track from the Val Fréjus resort in the commune of Modane.
(S/E) From the car park, head south-west along the track, which is theGR®5, towards the Mont Thabor refuge.
After a climb with a few steeper sections, you will reach Losa 2099m, a small dam on the Charmaix stream.
Continue climbing along the track. A little further up, theGR®5splits in two.
(1) Continue on the left-hand route; the right-hand route descends into the valley and then climbs back up to join the other section. Pass Replanette (2,282 m), Baraque Poste (2,350 m) and Grande Montagne (2,405 m).
The track, which has now become a path, reaches the Col de Vallée Étroite (2,443 m), which marks the boundary between the departments of Savoie and Hautes-Alpes.
(2) At the Col de la Vallée Étroite, leave theGR®5by turning right to reach the Refuge du Mont Thabor at 2,502 m in 15 minutes, which you will have already seen during the ascent.
Allow between 2 and 2½ hours to reach the refuge from the car park.
(3) From the refuge, descend to the Col de la Vallée Étroite
(2). At the pass, you can turn right at the small lake onto theGR®57for direct access to Mont Thabor: 3 hours 15 minutes; this will be the return route.
Another option (chosen): head left of the small lake on theGR®5.
(4) Descend the valley to the Tavernette plain at approximately 2,200 metres.
On the descent, look for a torrent rushing down the western slope and a small path running alongside it.
(5) In the plain, cross the stream and its branches to find the unmarked path, which is sometimes marked with cairns but is clearly visible.
Follow the stream on its right bank to reach Lac du Peyron. In the meantime, a few marmots will have fled as you approach.
(6) At the lake, you will find the direct route again. Follow theGR® trail to the left. The path will approach a section that climbs steeply.
Then, on a less steep section, it runs along the jagged ridge of Grand Séru. The chapel visible on the ridge still seems far away.
(7) At the Col des Méandes (2,727 m), you will reach the junction with the trails coming from the Clarée Valley, and the traditional "bonjour" from hikers will often become "buongiorno".
From the pass, the rest of the route is fairly straightforward: there are 450m left to climb, up and up along a winding, steep path. Allow 1½ hours, including breaks.
Before the final climb, a small plateau at an altitude of 3,063 metres allows you to catch your breath.
(8) At the summit, if you haven't already done so, take a moment to admire the scenery. The return journey follows the same route in reverse, but take the direct option
(9) Col des Méandes, Lac du Peyron, a long traverse with alternating ascents and descents to reach the Col de la Vallée Etroite, then a direct descent to the Lavoir (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
Difficult 
