Snowshoeing on Mount Thabor and its Three Wise Men
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationItaly / Piedmont
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AgeFrom 16 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions18.79 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Strap on your snowshoes for a wild escape to the heart of the Vallée Étroite , a preserved jewel of the Hautes-Alpes nestled on the Franco-Italian border . Neighboring the famous Clarée Valley, this exceptional alpine enclave unfolds its pristine landscapes under the watchful gaze of the mythical Mont Thabor (3178 m) .
Over four days of hiking , progress at your own pace in a hushed atmosphere, alternating between snow-covered larches and breathtaking high-altitude panoramas. This circuit invites you to truly disconnect, far from the beaten track, punctuated by the steady crunch of fresh snow.
After the exertion, it's time to relax: each evening, enjoy the soothing atmosphere of comfortable mountain huts , renowned for their warm hospitality. There, you'll savor quality cuisine , ideal for regaining your strength and sharing convivial moments before setting off again to explore these vast mountain landscapes.
The highlights
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DVA Practice
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Loop circuit
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Quality accommodation
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
This multi-day trek is physically demanding and requires prior training and snowshoeing experience. Good agility is also necessary to navigate some of the sloping sections safely. The loop trail consists of four stages, with 3 to 7 hours of walking per day (with an elevation gain of between 300 and 700 meters over a distance of 5 to 11 kilometers per day).
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 7 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 350 m
- Average daily descent: 350 m
Management
French
English
Your guide is trained in first aid procedures (PSC training).
During his travels, Samuel is equipped with a two-way GPS allowing him to relay his position via satellite.
If necessary, he can communicate with the rescue teams.
Program
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Terzo Alpini Refuge (1790 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 11:00 AM at the Bardonecchia Olympic Village. Program overview and departure for Pian Del Colle, on the French-Italian border. We begin our hike through larch forests, following the stream of the Vallée Etroite to reach the Terzo Alpini refuge. In the afternoon, we will practice avalanche transceiver (DVA) safety equipment as a group. 300m elevation gain - 0m elevation loss - 4.5km (3 hours of hiking) • Meals included: dinner at the Terzo Alpini refuge • Overnight stay: Terzo Alpini refuge
Day 1 -
Thabor Refuge (2490 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this second stage, we leave the barns of the Vallée Étroite nestled beneath the peaks of Melchior, Gaspard, and Balthazar. We continue through the Tavernette valley to the Col de la Vallée Étroite and reach the Thabor refuge. 700 m elevation gain - 0 m elevation loss - 7.5 km (5.5 to 6 hours of walking) • Meals included: breakfast at the Terzo Alpini refuge. Picnic lunch. Dinner at the Thabor refuge • Overnight: Thabor refuge
Day 2 -
Refuge i Re Magi (1790 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Starting from the Thabor refuge, we leave Lac Rond and head towards the summit of Château Léger, perched at 2645 meters, before descending into the Vallon de la Dame to Lac Peyron. We reach the Col des Méandes at 2722 meters and then descend into the Vallon du Dîner. We then reach Prat du Plan and continue to the old Blanchet Mine. We arrive at the Vallée Étroite and its i Re Magi refuge for the night. 400 m elevation gain - 1100 m elevation loss - 11 km (6.5 to 7 hours of walking) • Meals included: breakfast at the Thabor refuge. Picnic lunch. Dinner at the i Re Magi refuge • Overnight: i Re Magi refuge
Day 3 -
Pian Del Colle (1490 m)
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 5 km
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
We descend the Vallée Etroite via the Plaine de Vourzenet and continue to Pian Del Colle to complete our trek. 0 m elevation gain - 300 m elevation loss - 5 km (3 hours of walking) • Meals included: breakfast at the i Re Magi refuge
Day 4
Note
This program may be modified at any time by the supervising professional, particularly depending on weather conditions, the physical and technical abilities of the participants, the availability of accommodations, or any other unforeseen event. Ultimately, the professional remains the sole judge of the program and may modify it due to safety requirements.
Accommodation
Terzo Alpini is a mountain refuge located in the Vallée Étroite, at an altitude of 1780 m. In all seasons, the valley is the ideal place for numerous sporting activities: ski touring, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, hiking and horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing on the magnificent routes of the "Paroi des Militaires" (Military Wall)...
The lack of a mountain refuge in the Mont-Thabor area meant that a very long stage on the GTA or the GR5 between the Vallée Étroite and Modane was necessary. The need to obtain the army's approval, within the protected zone of the Rochilles firing range, significantly delayed the construction of a refuge.
The ideal location for the refuge would have been the Col de la Vallée Etroite, a crossing point for the GTA and GR5 long-distance hiking trails. However, to qualify for the subsidies necessary for its construction, it had to be located at an altitude above 2500 m. This explains the refuge's altitude.
The I RE MAGI Refuge is located at an altitude of 1,760 m, in the heart of the Granges de la Vallée Étroite, in the Briançonnais, Hautes-Alpes.
An Italian territory until the Second World War, the Vallée Étroite is today a French territory attached to the commune of Névache and it seduces the visitor with its unique Franco-Italian charm.
Access
How to get there from Lyon
By public transport : between Lyon and Bardonecchia, by train via Oulx - Sestrière station
By car :
- Check traffic conditions to reach Bardonecchia via the Fréjus tunnel or from the Montgenèvre pass (telephone: 04 65 03 00 05 or on the website http://inforoute.hautes-alpes.fr/ )
- Reminder: mandatory equipment (winter tires, snow socks or chains)
- Carpooling is encouraged; it's more economical and more environmentally friendly. We will provide you with the contact details of participants who wish to carpool.
Go to the starting point
TER train Lyon / Chambéry
Train TGV INOUI Chambéry / Bardonecchia
Departing from Lyon
Take A43, E70 and A43 towards Strada Statale 335 di Bardonecchia/SS335 in Bardonecchia, Italia. Take exit 11-Bardonecchia and leave
Continue on Strada Statale 335 di Bardonecchia/SS335. Drive towards Viale della Vittoria.
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide (DE-Alpinisme AMM, snowy mountain environment option)
- Accommodation in staffed mountain huts in shared rooms, subject to availability (sheets and towels not provided in the huts)
- Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 4
The price does not include
- Travel to and from your home and the arrival/departure point of the stay
- Personal insurance (civil liability and assistance/repatriation insurance are mandatory; cancellation insurance is strongly recommended)
- Essential equipment for the trip is provided: snowshoes, walking poles, avalanche transceiver (DVA), shovel, probe
- The supplement for a small group departure (possible from 3 people):
○ Group of 4 people: additional cost of €75 per person
○ Group of 3 people: additional cost of €160 per person
- Anything not mentioned under "the price includes"
Options
- Security Pack Rental : CHF45.74 / person
- Snowshoe Rental : CHF32.02 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Valid identity card or passport
Health insurance card or European health insurance card
Mandatory insurance:
- Civil liability (RC): each participant must have RC insurance coverage for recreational hiking activities.
- assistance / repatriation
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 backpack of 30 to 40 liters
- A thermos or insulated water bottle is essential for hot drinks (minimum total drink capacity of 0.5 litres).
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to store your money, ID, health insurance card and assistance contract with the 24/7 assistance number
- 1 pair of sunglasses (minimum UV protection rating 3)
- sunscreen and lip balm
- pair of rackets
- telescopic poles
- Safety pack including a digital avalanche transceiver with an extra set of batteries, a probe (2.40 m long), and an aluminum shovel
Clothing to bring
The principles: for the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations:
- a long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fibers)
- a warm fleece jacket or a lightweight down jacket
- a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket (Gore-Tex type)
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer is usually sufficient. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In very cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket or down jacket is essential.
Cotton clothing should be avoided. Opt for quick-drying clothes and prioritize wool, silk, and synthetic fibers, which will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.
The Samuel team
A pioneer of trekking in Japan, our local expert runs a small, personalized organization that designs innovative trips. They offer unique multi-day hikes in the Japanese Alps or on the unspoiled island of Hokkaido. Each trek is led by a certified French guide fluent in Japanese. Thanks to their in-depth knowledge of the terrain and its ecosystem, these mountain guides lead travelers off the beaten path, into the heart of hidden and enchanting places.
