Mont Thabor 3-day hike - Stage 1 - From the washhouse to the Thabor refuge

Treat yourself to a wild change of scenery in the high mountains, with their majestic mineral landscapes. You're close to the border with Italy, and if you've ever dreamed of doing a 3,000 m but never dared? Then Le Thabor is waiting for you!

Description

Leaving the Lavoir, the first ascent on a track is a little steep, but you'll soon forget all about it when you reach the Loza water intake. The path winds through the alpine pastures, from chalet to chalet, amidst Tarines chewing on soft grass and wild flowers.

Planted at the foot of Mont Thabor, which serves as its backdrop, the refuge, which will be your base camp for the night, quietly awaits you on the shores of Lac Sainte-Marguerite and Lac Long.

If some of you dream of climbing to the summit, you'll have to get up early tomorrow morning. Make sure your calves are strong enough to tackle the Thabor.

After the Col de la Vallée étroite, Lac Peyron and the Col des Méandes, the slope becomes steeper and the atmosphere more lunar. But the fullness of the site envelops you as you make your way to the chapel, like the French and Italian pilgrims who gather there every year.

The view from the summit is fantastic, embracing the highest peaks in the Alps, from Viso to La Meije.

You'll return to the refuge with your head full of grandiose images, filled with the serenity of these giants of stone. The rest of the group will be waiting for you to start the descent on the other side of the Charmaix stream... another great trip to share with family and friends.

Additional welcome

You must book your overnight stay in a refuge in advance. Stay on the trails, following the signs, and take your garbage with you.

Environments

• Mountain view
• Mountain location
• Panoramic view
• 30 - 40 min from a train station by car

Rates

Free access.

Itinerary

• Distance 5.2km
• Route type One-way ticket
• Elevation gain 587m
• Negative gradient 1755m
• Daily duration 02h45
• Signposted itinerary Yes
• Beaconing accuracy Departmental yellow and red/white (GR) markings
• Nature of the land Ground, Not suitable for strollers
• Maximum altitude 2494m

Opening period

Itinerary accessible outside snow periods and subject to favorable weather conditions. Check the local weather forecast in real time up to the day of departure.

Additional opening

• Subject to favorable weather

• Subject to snow conditions

Location

After crossing the resort of Valfréjus, climb up towards the gîte d'étape Les Tavernes. At the hairpin bend, take the right-hand track leading to the wash-house parking lot.

Animals

Pets allowed : Yes

Pets allowed with supplement: No

Pets are allowed on this route.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

• 1/ From the Lavoir, follow the GR 5 up a few switchbacks along the carriage path. At La Losa, next to a small reservoir, the path splits into a crow's-foot. Leave the right-hand route to Les Sarrasins and continue on the GR 5 to the Col de Vallée Etroite (2434 m). At the Col, turn right to reach the Thabor refuge, where you can spend the night.