Grande Traversée des Alpes : From the Maurienne to the gates of the Mercantour – part three
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 940.00 €
About the Modane to Larche trek – part three
Set off on a Grande Traversée des Alpes from the shores of Lake Geneva at Saint-Gingolph to the coastal town of Menton! An exceptional 4-part trek, offering a unique journey between majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Start the third part of the Grande Traversée des Alpes, from Modane to Larche. For 7 days, let yourself be transported through the wild and contrasting landscapes of the Haute Maurienne to the edge of the Mercantour.
You will leave with :
Sébastien
Trekking Guide
“The trip to the mountains is a moment of discovery. So you shouldn’t try to arrive before you’ve left to take full advantage of it!”
Photo gallery of the Modane to Larche trek – part three
The trek from Modane to Larche – part three
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader
- Accommodation in refuges, gîtes or inns in dormitories on a half-board basis
- Possible showers at lodgings
- Luggage transfers except on the evenings indicated in the description
- Transfers during the stay when indicated in the program
- Transfers from the end of your stay to the Montdauphin-Guillestre train station
- Picnic lunches purchased at the huts, in town or brought to the huts
- Snacks during the walk in the form of dried fruit
- Organization costs
What's not included in the package
- Transfers to meeting point
- Personal expenses: drinks, …
- Personal trekking and travel equipment (boots, poles, rucksack, etc.)
- Cancellation and repatriation assistance insurance to be taken out on registration.
- Any transfers and lifts not mentioned in the program
- Anything not indicated in the section “included in the price of the stay”.
Day 1: Modane to Vallée Étroite
5 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 845 m / D- 680 m
Departure is at 9 a.m. After a transfer from Modane to Valfréjus, you’ll begin your hike towards the Col de la Vallée Étroite. Along the way, be sure to observe the many marmots that have made this environment their playground.
Crossing the Col de la Vallée Étroite, you enter a valley where French and Italian cultures meet. Formerly Italian territory until 1947, this valley retains a unique charm. Leaving Mont Thabor behind, you can admire the surrounding peaks, including the Pointe de l’Enfourant and the chain that forms the border with Italy.
At the end of the day, you’ll reach the Granges de la Vallée Étroite, where an evening of Italian flavors awaits you.
Day 2: From Vallée Étroite to Névache
4 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 540 m / D- 710 m
From the Vallée Étroite, you’ll begin a steady ascent that leads to the pretty Lac Chavillon, nestled in a verdant setting. After admiring this peaceful lake, you’ll reach the Col des Thures a few meters higher, at an altitude of 2,194 m, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
The descent takes you through a pine forest, with a steeper path, to the fascinating Demoiselles Coiffées, natural rock formations at 1,923 m. Finally, the descent to Névache takes you through the traditional village of Ville Haute, in the heart of the Clarée valley.
Day 3: Névache to Abriès
7 hours walk – 40 minutes transfer – Overnight in refuge – D+ 790 m / D- 1300 m
After an early-morning transfer from Névache to Les Fonts de Cervières, your hike begins with a beautiful ascent to the Queyras Nature Park. You’ll head for the Col du Petit Malrif, culminating at 2,830 m altitude. This emblematic pass offers a breathtaking view of the majestic Mont Viso, one of the highest peaks in the Italian Alps, as well as a bird’s-eye view of the Fonts de Cervières valley.
Continuing on, you cross the Malrif lakes, of which there are three, including Grand Laus, the largest in the Queyras. The descent takes you to Abriès, a villageat the gateway to the Haute Vallée du Guil nature reserve.
Day 4: Abriès to Lac de la Blanche
7 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge without luggage – D+ 1480 m / D- 649 m
Starting from Abriès, the day begins with a gradual ascent to the superb Lac Égorgeou, the first small climb of the day. The trail then continues on to Lac Foréant before reaching the Col Vieux at 2806 m, offering a magnificent panorama of the Bouchouse valley and the Alps beyond, as well as a recognized biotope reserve.
After a gentle descent to the Agnel refuge, you’ll begin the day’s most striking ascent, to the Col de Chamoussière at 2882 m. The final descent takes you to the refuge de la Blanche, nestled on the shores of the lake of the same name, in the majestic setting of the Queyras Regional Nature Park.
Day 5: Refuge de la Blanche to Maljasset
6 hours’ walk – Overnight in refuge – D+ 515 m / D- 1100 m
From the refuge de la Blanche, you’ll begin a gradual climb towards the Col de la Noire (2,955 m), the only ascent of the day, marking the entrance to the Haute-Ubaye valley, a wild territory in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
From the pass, you’ll enjoy impressive views of the Tête Noire (3,175 m). The descent takes you through a variety of landscapes, passing the peaceful Lac de la Noire and a beautiful forest, before arriving at the hamlet of Maljasset, to spend the night in warm surroundings.
Day 6: Maljasset to Chiappera
7 hours’ walk – Overnight in a refuge without luggage – D+ 1030 m / D- 1330 m
On this sixth stage, you’ll set off from Maljasset in the direction of Val Maira in Italy, crossing the border into breathtaking scenery. You’ll start by retracing your steps towards the Mary valley, passing between the small and large Lac du Marinet, before reaching the Col de Marinet at 2,787 m, marking the passage into Italy.
After this first ascent, you continue on to the Col del Ciaslaras at 2,948 m, the day’s most striking climb. Once over the pass, the descent begins to the charming village of Chiappera, the last inhabited village in the Alta Valle Maira. Here you’ll spend the night, immersed in the peaceful atmosphere of this remote Piedmont valley.
Day 7: Chiappera to Larche
6 hours’ walk – D+ 1090 m / D- 1000 m
On this last day, you’ll leave Chiappera and take a superb route through the Maira Valley. The ascent takes you to the Sautron pass, at 2,687 m, which marks the return to France.
After crossing the pass, you start your descent into the Isalette valley. The day ends in the charming village of Larche, nestled in Haute-Ubaye, where your stay comes to an end.
For those ending their adventure here, a transfer will be organized from Larche to the Montdauphin-Guillestre train station. And for those who wish to continue their adventure all the way to the Mediterranean, a restful night’s sleep awaits you in Larche before setting off again for new horizons!
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by telephone: 04 50 89 63 32
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 35% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
CLIMATE
Temperatures vary according to altitude. It can reach 30°C in summer on the plains, or sub-zero on the summits.
Summer thunderstorms are common in the French Alps.
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
We strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B.
We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.
Transport and conditions
Any travel during the trek is included in the price, except for transport to and from the meeting point on the first and last day.
For an additional fee, we can arrange transportation to and from the start and/or finish of the trek. Contact us or let us know your requirements when booking.
LUGGAGE
Luggage transfer between accommodation is provided by our team during the trek, except on days 4 and 6.
The stay
MEALS
Picnics for lunch are ordered from the refuges or made up of local produce bought en route in the villages. Evening and morning meals are taken in refuges, gîtes or hotels.
Snacks are provided, but you can also bring your own.
If you have a special diet, please let us know as soon as possible.
ACCOMMODATION
- 6 nights in gîte or refuge in dormitories
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
Some (but not all) refuges offer charging facilities for small electronic devices (smartphones, cameras).
FORMALITIES AND VISA
No visa required for French nationals and citizens of bordering countries.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
Daily travel, meals not included (cold drinks, snacks, etc.) and accommodation are included in the price of the stay. Tipping is not necessary and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
ACCOMMODATION
If you wish to combine two parts of the Grande Traversée des Alpes, we can arrange an extra night between the end of your first trek and the start of the second. This option is available at an additional cost.
We can also organize and take care of the night before the start of your trek, as well as the night after the end of your adventure, even if you don’t continue with a second trek, at an additional cost, to offer you a complete, stress-free experience.
Watse added value
SUPERVISION BY EXPERT GUIDES
Our experienced and passionate guides know the GTA itineraries inside out. They ensure optimum safety while sharing their knowledge.
A CHOICE OF QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation has been carefully selected by our teams to guarantee maximum comfort and quality cuisine. Nothing is left to chance to ensure an unforgettable adventure!
TRANSFERS BY PRIVATE VEHICLE FOR GREATER AUTONOMY
To guarantee your complete autonomy, we provide transfers in private vehicles. This independence means no waiting or other inconveniences.