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(3178m)
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A great classic, the summit of Mont Thabor can be reached in numerous ways and routes, all of them fairly crowded in summer. Relatively high (3178m), its gentle slopes and wide paths make it an easy and safe goal, if rather long. The chapel on top sees a lot of pilgrims during the summer season and it should be treated for what it is, i.e. a chapel and not a shelter or a bivouac. The walker can start from Laval or the Drayeres CAF hut at the end of the surfaced road up the Clarée valley, from Vallée Etroite (most frequented route), from Valmeinier (very long) or the Thabor CAF hut. This last access route will be described here.
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Run by CAF Maurienne, it is officially open and kept between June 21 and September 7. Reservations can be made by calling 04 79 20 32 13, or, outside that period 06 18 27 45 71. Located near the banks of Lacs Ste Marguerite, the hut can accommodate about 30 walkers. Drive up the Charmaix road from Modane and go to the end of the unsurfaced road at Le Lavoir. |
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From Le Lavoir (parking space), walk up a wide winding trail towards la Loza, then left on to another good path that traverses up Combe des Roches, past Cols de la Replanette and Vallée Etroite. The hut is a bit higher than the last col, to the right as you go up (2500m).
Mont Thabor
From the hut, walk down to Col de Vallée Etroite and on to the other side, turning right and traversing on a level path (south-west) until you reach the end of Vallon du Peyron and its pretty lake (2450m). The route goes left of the lake and starts climbing in a steep half-circle until the plateau above the crags that tower over the lake is reached. After threading its ways among boulders and limestone slabs, the path joins Col des Méandes (2727m). As you go, observe the ragged cliffs of Grand Séru, to your left.
After Col des Méandes, the route becomes more austere, on earth and scree, but always on a good wide path. A steeper section is negotiated after the col, followed by a succession of more level passages (late snow). Numerous cairns show the way up to the arid dome that is the top of Mont Thabor. The chapel is 100m before the wide flat summit itself (3178m). Magnificent circular panorama, only obstructed to the north by the slightly higher pyramid of Pic du Thabor (3207m). Beautiful views on the Valmeinier valley, the Sarrasins area, the Cerces massif and l'Oisans. In the full summer season, the climb up Mont Thabor is not a lonely route. |
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Descent
Down the same way, but numerous possibilities are offered on every side of the mountain.