What you will experience

Cross the Col du Chardonnet (2,638 m) and descend through a bowl carpeted with wild rhododendrons, between alpine meadows and views over the surrounding ranges.

Follow the Clarée valley up to the Laval chalets, at the gateway to the Cerces: a secret, unspoilt valley, away from the crowds.

Enjoy a gentle climb to the summit of Mount Thabor (3,178 m) and take in a 360° panorama over the Écrins, the Queyras, Italy and Switzerland, all the way to the Matterhorn on a clear day.

Pass by four high-altitude, turquoise-water lakes in a single day, scenery that feels almost like a trek in Patagonia.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 5
- D-·400m
  descent
- D+·900m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·8km
  KM covered
We meet at 10am at Pont de l'Alpe for a first introduction between the group and guide Laura, an explanation of the adventure ahead, and packing our bags before setting off!

We set off from the Lauzet mountain pastures (1,951 m) and climb towards the Col du Chardonnet Sud (2,638 m), following a path that winds through alpine meadows. At the pass, the view opens onto the surrounding ranges before the descent begins.

The descent crosses a bowl covered in rusty-leaved alpenrose (rhododendron ferrugineum), a species typical of acidic high-altitude soils. We then reach the mountain hut (2,227 m) for this first night at altitude, and share a good meal together.

2
DAY2/ 5
- D-·900m
  descent
- D+·900m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
After an early rise and breakfast prepared at the hut, we head to the Fontcouverte waterfall, fed by the melting snowfields above, before climbing towards the Laramon, Serpent and Gardioles lakes. These three glacial lakes sit between alpine meadows and scree, an area where marmots are common in summer.

The descent leads to a second mountain hut, overlooking the Clarée valley. The hut is fairly small but very convivial, after a good meal, it's time to rest before tackling the next day.
3
DAY3/ 5
- D-·534m
  descent
- D+·644m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
We descend towards Fontcouverte (1,861 m), then follow the Clarée for several kilometres, one of the last Alpine valleys without a ski resort. The path passes through the Laval chalets, former summer pasture huts, which open onto views of the Pointe des Cerces (2,030 m).

We then climb towards the Long and Rond des Muandes lakes (2,390 m), the gateway to the Thabor valley, following the Brunes torrent to the head of the valley, where our mountain hut (2,175 m) welcomes us for the next two nights.
4
DAY4/ 5
- D-·1,200m
  descent
- D+·1,200m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·20km
  KM covered
Early start, light pack, towards Mount Thabor (3,178 m), one of the few 3,000m+ summits in the French Alps reachable without technical equipment. The path first skirts a lake before climbing gradually to the pass, alternating breathtaking panoramas with narrower passages hemmed in by the mountains.

The terrain grows rockier near the summit slopes. From the top, the 360° panorama takes in the Écrins, the Queyras, Italy and Switzerland; on a clear day, you can even make out the silhouette of the Matterhorn in the distance. The descent follows the same signposted route back to the hut.
5
DAY5/ 5
- D-·903m
  descent
- D+·644m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·16km
  KM covered
We climb the Clarée to the lake of the same name (2,435 m), then follow the Seuil des Rochilles, where the remains of military structures built in the late 19th century to defend the Italian border still stand.

The route then strings together Lac Rond (2,450 m), Lac du Grand Ban (2,460 m) and Lac des Cerces, each offering a different view of the massif. After a short break by Lac des Cerces, we tackle the final climb to the Col de la Ponsonnière (2,613 m), overlooking the Grand Lac with sweeping views of the Galibier.

The descent, through pastures and scree, brings the group back to the starting point (1,710 m), at the end of five days on the trail.

The rest is for members

Join the community to read the day-by-day detail, talk to the guides and hear about new dates first.

Join +19,800 adventurers already signed up.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Laura

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

I'm passionate about mountains and wilderness adventures, and offer unique mountain breaks to help you discover the beauty and diversity of this fascinating environment. As well as guiding you on the trails, I'm here to share my passion for nature, flora and fauna with you.

Find out more about Laura

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be guided by Laura, an experienced guide who lives in the region and is passionate about what she does.

Accommodation: You will spend 4 nights in dormitory-style rooms in the region's Mountain huts, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Catering: All meals are included from the first evening until the last midday, giving you the chance to sample the region's specialities.

Not included

Transport to the meeting point.

Any personal expenses.

Everything that is not included in "What the price includes".

What level should you expect

Level 3

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS IT FOR?

You already have some experience of multi-day mountain hiking. You want to take on a guided trek between mountain refuges, including the ascent of a summit above 3,000 m, with no technical climbing skills required.

You're at the right level if:

No technical prerequisites are required, but good physical fitness is essential
You do endurance sport at least 2 to 3 hours a week
You can manage 5 to 8 hours of hiking a day, with one day of 7-9 hours and up to 1,000 m of ascent for the Mont Thabor summit
You're comfortable carrying your own rucksack and personal gear between refuges
You're comfortable with rocky, sometimes uneven terrain, without technical climbing
You've already hiked at altitude, above 2,000 m
You're happy with the simple comfort of nights in a shared mountain refuge

Getting there

Start · 10h00

Alp Bridge

End · 16h00

Alp Bridge

Transport

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your best bet.

From your departure station, you can reach the Clarée Valley via Briançon:

Departure station > Briançon
Briançon > Pont de l’Alpe (bus or local shuttle, 45-minute journey)

Good to know: there’s a direct overnight train from Paris to Briançon (Intercités de nuit), a handy option for travelling in comfort and arriving well-rested in the morning before heading to Pont de l’Alpe.

The expedition’s meeting point is at Pont de l’Alpe, at the bottom of the Clarée Valley.

By car

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip?

Car parking is available at Pont de l’Alpe, the meeting point for the expedition, at the bottom of the Clarée Valley.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 83 reviews in this category

Denise H.

Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci

Marie F.

Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !

Christophe R.

Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.

Laetitia L.

Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.

Serge D.

Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment should I take with me?

A detailed list of recommended and compulsory equipment will be sent to you after you register, so that you can prepare your equipment with peace of mind.

Is there drinking water available every day in the mountain huts?

Yes, all the mountain huts on the route have drinking water. You can fill your water bottles every day, without the need for purification tablets or filters.

How comfortable are the mountain huts?

The comfort is simple but warm. The mountain huts are heated, have sanitary facilities (toilets, hot showers) and offer quality hot meals. There are no sockets for recharging electronic devices, so bring an external battery if needed.

What is the size of the group on this trek?

You set off with a small group of no more than 8 people. It's the ideal way to create a friendly atmosphere, share good times in the mountain huts and enjoy an adventure where everyone has their place.

Do I need to take cash with me?

Yes, we strongly advise you to bring some cash in euros, as mountain huts rarely accept credit cards, and this can be useful for paying for personal items (drinks, snacks, hot showers, etc.).

Does climbing Mont Thabor require technical mountaineering skills?

No, no technical mountaineering skills are required. The path becomes steeper and rockier towards the summit slopes, but at no point does it involve climbing or glacier terrain. The guide chooses the safest route depending on the day's conditions.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

Discover other adventures

You might also be interested in these adventures

5-day trek with Mont Thabor summit in the Cerces massif

What you will experience

Itinerary