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Pied du Désert 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 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.
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.
Walks near Pied du Désert
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.
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.
Mont Thabor Refuge - Terre Rouge Refuge
8.21 mi
+2,638 ft
-3,740 ft
6h 05
Difficult
Departure from Modane (Savoie)
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.
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.
Refuge de Terre Rouge - Le Prec
8.76 mi
+2,165 ft
-3,848 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from Valmeinier (Savoie)
This is the last stage of this three-day route, with one last beautiful climb. A final alpine pass, a few lakes, and the return via the Fenêtre du Prec to round off this lovely Tour du Thabor.
From the Terre Rouge Refuge to the Mont Thabor Refuge
8.39 mi
+3,740 ft
-2,651 ft
7h 05
Difficult
Departure from Valmeinier (Savoie)
Second stage of the short Mont Thabor circuit hike
Refuge des Drayères – Pont de l’Alpe
9.08 mi
+2,014 ft
-3,563 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Névache (Hautes-Alpes)
3rd and final stage. Starting from the Refuge des Drayères, head up to the source of the Clarée and return to Pont de l’Alpe via the Col de la Ponsonnière. A tour of the Massif des Cerces taking in numerous lakes, each more beautiful than the last: in turn, the Clarée, Rond, Grand Ban, Cerces, Ponsonnière and, finally, the Grand Lac.
Valfréjus – Thabor mountain hut
3.37 mi
+1,952 ft
-0 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Modane (Savoie)
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.
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.