Setting off from the most Italian of French valleys
Partial track: some stages have no GPS track.
No elevation profile
The elevation profile is only computed for routes with a complete track.
7 days of walking
Nights in refuges bookable online can also be booked one at a time, from their page; the others, with the refuge.
From Bardonecchia, join Pian del Colle along the road (1,440 m). Put on your skis and head north-west up along valley to reach Granges de la Vallée Etroite (1,760 m, +320 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge Terzo Alpini or Refuge I Re Magi.
Night 1 · tonight's refuge
From Granges de la Vallée Etroite, head up the “Narrow Valley” as far as Pont de la Fonderie (1,920 m). Pass around Tête du Chien to the north, then head south to join Col du Vallon (2,645 m, +880 m). Drop down to Combe du Vallon sur Ville Haute (1,600 m, -1,045 m). Take the snow-covered Haute Vallée de la Clarée route as far as the Lacou chapels and bear left (South-West) at an altitude of 1,770 m towards Pont du Rately. Then walk up to Refuge Buffère (2,076 m) along a route that is generally well maintained to enjoy refreshments at your destination (+500 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge Buffère.
Night 2 · tonight's refuge
Bookable online, one night at a time, from its page. See its places
From Refuge Buffère (2,076 m), climb Crête de Baude (2,571 m, +500 m). Descend on the north face in the direction of Bois de Suly as far as La Souchère (1,845 m, -730 m), then walk up to Refuge du Chardonnet (2,230 m, +385 m), passing by the chalets de Larau. Evening and overnight stay at Refuge du Chardonnet. For an easier route down, the Baude descent via the refuge and the forest is a little less challenging.
Night 3 · tonight's refuge
From Refuge du Chardonnet (2,230 m), head around the Massif du Queyrellin via Casse Blanche (2,844 m, +610 m). Descend via the Couloir de la Replate, running Eas/Sout-East above the Ruisseau de Rif Tord, to reach the hamlet of Fontcouverte (1,857 m, -1,000 m). Walk up to Refuge Ricou (2,115 m, +255 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge Ricou.
Night 4 · tonight's refuge
Bookable online, one night at a time, from its page. See its places
Leaving Refuge Ricou (2,115 m), climb the south-facing slope to Col de la Grande Tempête (or Crête des Muandes) (2,865 m, +750 m) (Altenative option: The summit of Grande Tempête (3,002 m, +900 m)) and then down the west-facing slope to reach Refuge des Drayères (2,180 m, -685 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge des Drayères.
Night 5 · tonight's refuge
From Refuge des Drayères (2,180 m), pass by the Lacs de la Madeleine (2,630 m) to get to Col de Névache (2,794 m, +610 m). Head over to the other side. Drop down to the Lacs des Glaciers (2,663 m, -130 m). Then climb towards the Pic du Thabor pass (2,952 m, +290 m), via Lac Source (2,726 m). Head north around Cheval Blanc via Col du Cheval Blanc (2,791 m, -160 m) to reach Refuge du Mont Thabor (2,502 m, -290 m). Evening and overnight stay at Refuge du Mont Thabor. Note: Cheval Blanc can also be reached from the south via Col du Peyron (2,851 m). Drop down again into Vallon du Peyron before climbing the south-facing slopes of La Faysse, which allows you to reach Refuge du Mont Thabor located on the other side of the valley.
Night 6 · tonight's refuge
From Refuge du Mont Thabor (2,502 m), drop down to Col de la Vallée Étroite (2,434 m). Continue south-west for 2,350 m (-150 m), then climb up to Lac du Peyron (2,430 m). Go around the large barrier of rocks to the left (from the east) to reach Les Chances du Peyron and Col des Méandes (2,727 m). Continue north-west to the top of Mont Thabor (3,178 m, +850 m). For your descent, follow the same route until you reach Col des Méandes. Then bear right (south) along Vallon du Dîner. Join Granges de la Vallée Etroite (1,765 m, -1,400 m). From Granges de la Vallée Etroite drop down to Pian del Colle (1,445 m, -320 m).
Arrival · end of the tour
No night to book that evening.
