4 days (3 nights): A carbon-free journey from Modane to Briançon

18 km · 5 h 30 · +1,450 m · 1050 m → 2500 m

On leaving Modane station, turn left and walk for 50 metres to cross the railway line (through the underground tunnel running under the police station). At the end of the tunnel, turn right and follow the road until you have passed Hotel Bellevue. The GR5 to the refuge starts 100 metres after the hotel. Follow it all the way to the refuge. Just before arriving in Valfréjus, after crossing the Charmaix stream, it is best to take the path alongside the stream. This leads to the Lavoir (wash house) on the left bank of the valley, at Les Herbiers. At the Lavoir (1,923 m), continue along the trail heading SW until you reach the La Losa water source (2,099 m). You can reach Refuge du Mont Thabor (2,502 m) either via the right bank and Col de la Vallée Etroite, or along the left bank via the chalets of Mounioz.

15 km · 6 h · +850 m · −1,600 m · 2500 m → 1760 m

From Refuge du Mont Thabor, leave Col de la Vallée Etroite (2,434 m) and head along the GR57 towards Lac du Peyron (2,453 m) and then Col des Méandes (2,727 m). Climb to the top of Mont Thabor (3,178 m) and back, before winding your way down Vallon du Dîner to reach Pont de la Fonderie (1,910 m) and then Granges de la Vallée Etroite (1,760 m).

From the Pont de la Fonderie, cross the Ruisseau de la Vallée Etroite and make a short but steep ascent to a small grassy plateau leading to the wonderful Lac Vert.

15 km · 6 h · +900 m · −600 m · 1760 m → 2076 m

From the Granges de la Vallée Etroite, take a beautiful, easy path up to the Col des Thures (2194m), then head down to Névache via the gently sloping grassy valley at the top and along the well-trodden winding path by the Clarée (Cheminées de Fée). Once you reach Chalet Forestier (1,738 m), there are two options for getting to Névache. You can either take the south-facing scenic overlook (which starts just below the chalet), or the GR57 via the hamlet of Roubion (there is a free shuttle service from Roubion to Névache running from 12 July to 24 August). From Névache, cross the river Clarée to join the le GR®57 on the right bank, which you follow until you reach Pont du Rately. A little further on, turn right onto the path that continues towards Fontcouverte and walk up to Refuge Buffère (1 hr 30, an easy route).

Option: From Vallée Etroite, walk up to the Fonderie (foundry). Turn left just before the Maison des Chamois on a path that is steep at first and leads around the Tête du Chien to reach Col du Vallon (2,645 m) following a good path. Come down the long yet little valley of Vallon towards Névache This is a relatively easy route. You’ll arrive just above Ville Haute. Second option: From Névache, turn left shortly after Pont de l'Outre and walk up to Lac de Cristol. Go back to the start of the valley, then follow the Côte Rouge path halfway up the north face of l’Echaillon to reach Refuge Buffère. Third option: From Refuge Buffère, climb to Col de Buffère and take the sometimes steep path to the left that leads to Grand Area (2,869 m, 2 hrs). Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the Cerces and Oisans. Return via the same route.

22 km · 7 h · +600 m · −1,300 m · 2076 m → 1326 m

From Refuge Buffère (2,076 m), take the Côte Rouge path to reach Vallon de Cristol, and then the lakes and Porte de Cristol (2,483 m). From here, head for the Col du Granon (2,404 m) via Col des Cibières (2,350 m) and Col de l'Oulles (2,548 m). Follow Crêtes de Peyrolles (2,645 m) to the Croix de Toulouse (1,962 m) overlooking Briançon, then make your way down to Briançon, ending up at the Champ de Mars at the entrance to the city’s historic centre, nestling within its ramparts. The station is in the lower part of the city.