Modane walks

A short loop with good slopes, both uphill and downhill.

A lovely, easy walk in the peaceful forest, starting at the top of the gondola lift and returning by chairlift.

An easy route passing by the Notre-Dame du Charmaix Chapel, which blends seamlessly with the rock face. Then, the Chemin des Essarts: a Discovery Trail with information boards on local flora and fauna created by pupils from the Collège de la Vanoise. And there’s also a beautiful waterfall to admire!

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.

A hike at 2,900m: marmots, ibex, mountain pastures, scree slopes and forest – all in one.

A 3-day hike with camping or staying in mountain huts. The route takes you into the Vanoise National Park, close to the Gébroulaz Glacier and Lac Blanc, with the option of climbing the Grand Roc (3,316 m) and the Pointe de l'Observatoire (3,015 m). There are many other panoramic views to discover across the five passes: Col de la Masse (2,952 m), Col d’Aussois (2,914 m), Col Rouge (2,730 m), Col du Soufre (2,817 m) and Col de Chavière (2,796 m).

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.

This fabulous 8-stage route (+ 2 variants) is challenging and requires excellent physical fitness, as some passes reach an altitude of nearly 3,000m. The first two stages deviate from the usual route, making this route even more appealing. The mountain landscapes, glaciers, pastures and flora are among the most beautiful in the Alps. Wildlife is particularly abundant, as in the Mercantour. Every day we saw marmots, ibex and chamois.

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.

A good hike with an uphill route along the Povaret torrent, away from the usual trails. The uphill trail is well marked but there are hardly any signposts.

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.

This is an easy, downhill hike from Valfréjus to Modane. The route follows the GR®5. It is a gentle slope, passing near the pretty Notre-Dame du Charmaix chapel, and there are many oratories in different styles along the way. Take the shuttle bus between Modane station and Valfréjus, but be sure to check the timetable.

Circular route starting from Valfrejus Station, to Lavoir, then Fort du Collet, La Turra and Bon Pré, before descending back to the station. This route offers sublime, uninterrupted views of Thabor and the refuge, as well as the Modane valley and Valfréjus Station.

Climb to the summit of Le Truc for magnificent views over the Maurienne Valley, the Vanoise, the Grand Vallon, Arrondaz and the Col de la Roue. The view is already very beautiful from Arplane.

A lovely route, mostly shaded. You walk alongside the Charmaix stream on one side on the way up and on the other on the way down. Very nice view on arrival.

A lovely, isolated hike, far from the overcrowded trails. Requires a little attention to orientation and the location of the path.

A pleasant route using the stream and Diable footbridges to access Fort Victor-Emmanuel, Fort Charles-Felix and Fort Marie-Christine. On the way back, visit the pretty Saint-Benoit waterfall.

An easy route to reach the Thabor refuge and spend a good night’s sleep before heading over to Mont Thabor and the Chalets de Laval. This section is accessible by mountain bike.

The Lacs Sainte-Marguerite are two pretty lakes a stone's throw from the Mont Thabor refuge. The Lac Rond and Lac Long are set in a very mineral environment at the foot of the Cheval Blanc.

The border range near Modane comprises a series of peaks along a ridge, which the French call Grand Argentier and the Italians call Punta Nera (Pointe Noire). It is possible to visit these peaks by traversing from the Col de la Roue to the Col du Fréjus, following the ‘Sentiers de la Mémoire’ (Paths of Remembrance) across these passes, which are dotted with military border defences bearing witness to the fighting of 1940.

A superb hike on the border between Savoie and the Hautes Alpes, almost in Italy. Tormented landscapes, high mountains, a chapel at over 3,150 metres, lakes, snowfields, and a bit of contemporary history, as a large part of the route has only been French territory since 1947.

The central stage of the tour, with the ascent of Mount Thabor, the highest point of the tour and offering exceptional panoramic views. This stage requires good mountain walking skills, particularly for the descent into the Terre Rouge valley.

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.

Third and final stage of the short Mont Thabor circuit hike.