Tour du Thabor in one day via Valmeinier

In order to carry out this hike, we will use the refuges to drink a little and refuel.

For this tour, I privileged the view and the physical commitment by choosing to pass by the Mont-Coburne in particular because I did not know it. But I don't hide the fact that you can get lost because the path is not always well marked. Other routes are also possible at the start.

Direction the Col des Marches but without going there (it is shorter but you miss the Maurienne valley and the lakes). We go up the 4x4 track for a few laces to reach 2100 m. We fork to the left on a bad track, before reaching the ski lifts' flat, level we reach a path above a few meters after the end of the track. We go in the direction of the chapel of Méraloup.

From the chapel, we go up the steep path, not very visible (if we go straight the path ends in grassy slopes with chamois), at the level of the sign.

For a good hour, you will come across the Lac du Loup, the Lac des grandes Combes on a path that is not very well used and farms. Near a ruin, we go up a slope to reach the Mont-Coburne on a path that climbs quickly. Read the terrain carefully.

From Mont-Coburne you can see the lake of Bissorte (empty in 2015). We go down to the refuge des marches to drink a little and refuel.

We head for the Bataillères pass and the Thabor refuge. We will meet the Bataillères lake and some ponds. A wild climb towards the pass and with the torrent at the start. We approach the Cheval Blanc that we could see in the distance from Mont-Coburne.

Turn right and descend towards the lakes to reach the Mont-Thabor refuge (12:00). Take advantage of a beautiful view to take a break and refuel.

We go down a little to pass by the narrow valley pass and follow the slopes to the right to reach the Peyron lake, which is very green. You go back up to the Thabor under detrital peaks and an aerial path. Very beautiful.

We reach the Col des Méandes where we find more hikers. We go back up to the Chapelle and on a path full of crosses. A little snow is still present. Then, we continue towards the Chapel and the Thabor (add 30 minutes) where we go down directly on the other side on a rather steep path but crossable when we are there. We follow the walls on the right to pass the Col de la Chapelle. You can find some snow to go down faster.

The view on the different massifs (Écrins, Vanoise etc...) is exceptional!

We follow the paint tracks for the very long descent to the car park in this beautiful valley. The descent is bad at the beginning and there are several possibilities on the way after. The times are indicated by signs. But be careful not to lose the paint marks towards the lunch stone. If you have some energy left, you can pass (10 minutes max) to see the glacier lakes (beautiful colour of the rocks).

Before arriving, 30 minutes from the car park and in 5 minutes, you can dip your feet in the green lake (with trout in it!).

From the car park you have two choices: either continue along the road to catch the shuttle bus or join the road/trail that takes you back to the starting point (Valmeinier 1900).