Thabor Refuge - Terzo Alpini Refuge

(S) From the Thabor refuge, rejoin the^GRP® trail, descending slightly until you reach the junction with the^GR®5, marked in red and white.

(1) Turn right, continuing along the^GR®5for a few metres. Pass a small lake on the right, then walk past a cross, the Col de la Vallée Étroite and the Sainte-Marguerite pass.
At the next junction, turn right, leaving the^GR®5, and continue on the^GR®57, which skirts the mountain range on your right. You will see Mont Thabor opposite and the Cheval Blanc on your right. Continue to the rocky ridge.

(2) Cross to the left bank of Lac du Peyron. Begin the ascent of the Chances du Peyron, a pass between the rocky ridge on your right and the Grand Seru on your left. This massif consists of a very imposing and steep rocky ridge. Continue to the Col des Méandes.

(3) Take the path on the right and begin the very difficult ascent of the Thabor.
Take care on this treacherous path, where numerous snowfields remained at the start of August.
According to the refuge wardens, there was still nearly a metre of snow at the Col des Méandes in early July.
The temperature drops rapidly and the effects of the altitude are quickly felt as you climb. Wayside shrines line the path to the summit, where you’ll find the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Sept Douleurs. The final few metres are particularly difficult.

(4) At the summit of Thabor, the view offers a 360° panorama which, at this altitude, gives the feeling of being on top of the world. Retrace your steps back to the Col des Méandes, taking great care on the steep descent.

(3) At the pass, take the^GR® on your right, which descends to Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite with a 1,000m drop.

(5) Leave the^GR®57on your right and continue straight on, with the Grand Seru and Petit Seru on your left. Continue straight on, still heading towards Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite.

(6) Cross the footbridge over the stream at Prat du Plan. Reach the hamlet of Prat du Plan.

(7) Continue straight on, ignoring the path branching off to the left. Follow the wide path downwards, with the farm, La Maison des Chamois, on your left. As you descend, you will see a beautiful waterfall on your left. Reach the bottom of the valley at the hamlet of Le Pont de la Fonderie.

(8) Join the^GR® 5 and 57.
Turn right and head for the hamlet of Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite, which marks the end of this fabulous stage. Two mountain huts await you there; see the note in the ‘Practical Information’ section (9), (E).

This stage is the most difficult of the route. It is reserved for experienced and fit hikers. The recommended kit is that for high-mountain hiking, as the altitude reaches 3,200m during the ascent of Thabor. We also experienced temperatures of 5°C at the summit of Thabor in early August 2018.
No problems with navigation, despite the GR® trail markings in the area leaving much to be desired.
You will find water throughout the route.
Note (E) Granges de la Vallée Étroite: Given the warm welcome and the quality of the food, we can only recommend that you choose the Terzo Alipini refuge, where we had a very good time

(8) On the left, three imposing rocky peaks known as the Three Kings mark the French-Italian border. They consist of the Pointe de Balthazar, the Pointe de Melchior and the Pointe de Gaspard, which rise to between 2,600 and 2,800 metres.
The name Thabor: taken from the website

Little is known about the origin of the name given to this mountain, Mont Thabor.
One theory suggests that it takes its name from the sacred mountain of the same name in Palestine, which it is said to resemble according to the observations of a crusader returning from the Holy Land.
The Palestinian Mount Tabor was the site of Christ’s Transfiguration, his momentary change in physical appearance during his earthly life to reveal his divine nature to three apostles. The massif bordering Mount Tabor bears the names of the Three Wise Men: Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspard.
The second hypothesis stems from local history. The first name given to Mount Tabor by the local people was the “Moine de Bissorte” or “Crêt du Moine”.
In Modane, the surname “Taburd” or “Tabor” (a medieval form of “tabour”: a nickname for a drummer) was very common from the Middle Ages onwards. It is therefore not impossible that a Tabor from Modane gave his name to the mountain.
The Chapel of Thabor: Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.
The earliest records of the Chapel of Thabor date back to 1487. At that time, the parish of Mélèzet was responsible for maintaining the site of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, situated at the summit of Mont Thabor.
This building has undergone numerous renovations, including a complete reconstruction in wood in 1694, followed by modernisation using other materials in 1897, thanks to donations from the inhabitants of Mélèzet. The current chapel dates from 1951, when it underwent a major renovation enabling hikers and pilgrims to spend the night there in the event of severe weather.
The parishioners of Le Mélèzet were also behind the Way of the Cross, established in 1860, which leads to the chapel; indeed, at the end of^{the 19th} century, many people fell victim to a typhoid epidemic. A procession was organised to implore the protection of Our Lady of Thabor.
This pilgrimage has taken place every year since then at the beginning of August, bringing together walkers from Le Mélèzet, Névache, Valmeinier and Modane.