The Alps from one side to the other to meet people and mountains... The Grande Traversée des Alpes (GTA) between Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean is a long-distance journey. The opportunity to take a long break and put daily life aside. This itinerary runs along the Swiss and Italian borders while crossing five departments and some of the most famous massifs of the Alps.
3rd section: Clarée, Queyras, Ubaye
We take you for one incredible week to pass from Northern to Southern Alps through stunning parts! The Thabor, the valley of Névache, Briançon, the Queyras, the Val Maira, Ubaye... as many prestigious ranges that you need to discover! Away from the loud of big ski stations, enjoy a preserved nature and an authentic hospitality in cosy villages. An incredible flora, high-altitude lakes with stunning reflection, all under the sun of Southern Alps. A trek you will remember long time!
Departures from 16 June to 16 September 2025
Without baggage transport
780€ per person in classic accommodation (mini. 2 persons)
900€ per person in comfort version (bedroom for 2 or 3 people)
Single departure without luggage transport : +130€
Supplement luggage transport (except on day 4 and 6)
Group of 2: €185 per person
Group of 3 or more: €135 per person
Based on one person: €350
Optional extra :
6 picnics: €84 per person
Optional transfers :
Transfer on day 1 Montdauphin -> Valfréjus : 50€ per person
Return transfer Larche -> Montdauphin : 50€ per person
Return transfer Larche -> Modane : 140€ per person
Includes:
Does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
MODANE - ETROITE VALLEY PASS
Meet at 9am at Modane train station.
Transfer to Valfréjus (20mins) to the famous departure point of the GR5, heading towards the Étroite Valley. Gentle climb towards this mountain pass which acts as a natural border between the Northern and Southern Alps. Entering the Hautes-Alpes and the Étroite Valley, a French enclave in Italy. Descend to the hamlet Les Granges to spend our first night in a refuge.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -720m
VALLÉE ÉTROITE - COL DU VALLON - NÉVACHE
Let's go to the heart of the Clarée Valley. In that very wild area, climb to the Vallon pass (2645m) dominating the great Lake Blanc. A nice descent towards the Nevache village in the upper Clarée Valley. Cross the traditional village of Ville Haute and transfer (35mins) at the end of the day to the neighbouring Fonts de Cervières valley. Night in refuge.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -1050
FONTS DE CERVIÈRES - COL MALRIF - ABRIÈS
Transfer to Fonts de Cervières (50 min). Joining the Queyras National Park at altitude via the Col Malrif (2830m). Beautiful mountain climb from the magnificent hamlet Fonts de Cervières. Traverse the Col Marif with a breathtaking view of the famous Mount Viso, Lord of the Southern Alps. Long descent to Abriès by the Malrifs lakes, one of the largest in the Queyras to the Guil Valley. Night in a gite.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +950m -1300m
L'ÉCHALP - LA VALLÉE DES LACS - COL VIEUX - REFUGE AGNEL
From the last hamlet of the Guil valley, up along the Italian border, the valley of Bouchouse which constitutes a biotope reserve. Passage to Egorgeou and Foréant lakes and then to "Col Vieux" (2806m) to reach "Col de Chamoussière". Descent into this wide valley of the "Aigue Blanche" to reach the "refuge de la Blanche", by the lake, nestled at the foot of the "Tête des Toilies". Night without luggage transport.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1350m ; -600m
LAKE BLANCHE - COL DE LA NOIRE - MALJASSET
From the refuge, in an extraordinary landscape, climb to the mineral area of Col de de la Noire. Leaving behind the Queyras region to enter the wild valley of Haute-Ubaye. Gently descending into the flower filled Longet valley to the first hamlet of Maljasset. Night in a gîte.
6 hours walk / Elevation: +500m -1050m
MALJASSET - COL MARY - CHIAPPERA
At the foot of the highest range of Haute-Ubaye, the Chambeyron (3412m), easy climb through the Col Mary Valley with its multitude of lakes cheerfully dotting the pastures. From the mountain pass enter Italy, to the Piedmont to reach the Val Maira and the beautiful village Chiappera (without luggage).
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +950m -950m
CHIAPPERA - COL DES MONGE - ORONAYES VALLEY - LARCHE
Beautiful traverse in the unusual Maira Valley to reach the Col des Monges (2542m) marking the border between France and Italy. Descend into the Montagnette Valley dominated by the fortresses of Maginot, erected during the Second World War... End of the trek in Larche, a small village of Haute-Ubaye.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1050 m -940 m
End point in Larche and transfer (in option) around 5pm to Guillestre - Montdauphin train station.
For those who continue their "Grande traversée des Alpes" the next week, between Larche and Menton, night in Larche.
Elevation: + 900m ; - 1200m approximately per day.
Maximum altitude: 3000m
Maximum elevation: 1200m.
Accomodation average altitude: 1800m
Walking time: 5 to 7.5 hours per day.
Type of trek: tmountain itinerary with no particular technical difficulties. The paths are well marked, and you are often above the vegetation level, so there are few passages in the forest.
You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Please find the description of the levels by clicking here: levels of difficulty
This trip is organised in collaboration with our local partners, who are as committed as we are to offering you an authentic holiday.
Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing:
- Maps IGN TOP 25
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek
- 1 waterproof map holder
- Accommodation list
For bookings made less than 3 weeks before departure, paper travel documents cannot be sent. Only the digital version will be made available.
Two options:
Without baggage transport: you carry your baggage.
With baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily by our logistics vehicle, except on day 4 and on day 6.
CLASSIC: dormitory for 4 to 12 people, sheets and towels are not provided ( remember to bring your own), bathroom facilities are on the landing.
COMFORT: optional, double or 2-bedded room of your choice, sheets and towels are not provided ( remember to bring your own), bathroom facilities are on the landing.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation.
Please specify any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of the booking.
Accommodations do their best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring a few extra items for your own picnics.
Meeting point is at 9am prompt at Modane station, with free unmanned parking nearby. Transfer to Valfréjus.
If you wish to come by car, the easiest way is to leave your vehicle at Guillestre - Montdauphin station, and we will pick you up at the station to transfer you to Modane (option at extra cost, to be booked when you register). Departure from the station at 7am, it will take you 2 hours to get to Modane.
BY TRAIN
Your destination is: Modane TGV station - Paris-Milan line.
A train departing from Paris the same morning and arriving in Modane before 11am is possible (please let us know if you wish to change your transfer time). Please consult the SNCF for exact timetables.
BY CAR
Please consult competent websites such as https:ww.viamichelin.fr/ or https://fr.mappy.com/ to organize your trip.
You can also arrive by car at Montdauphin - Guillestre station (free, unguarded parking). Transfer by minibus from Montdauphin - Guillestre station to Modane station. This transfer must be booked in advance and will take place at Montdauphin at 7am.
From Grenoble, there are two possible routes to Guillestre:
- Via Gap
- Via the Col du Lautaret and Briançon. Call 04 92 24 44 44 (answering machine) for information on the road conditions over the pass.
End of the tour in Larche on Saturday afternoon, then transfer at around 5pm (optional with supplement) to Montdauphin - Guillestre station.
Return: Montdauphin /Guillestre - Paris train
A same-day night train will arrive in Paris the following day.
Daytime trains the following day will also be possible, but you will have to spend an extra night in Montdauphin.
There is little public transport from Montdauphin - Guillestre station to Modane on the last day (around 7 hours by train).
Modane
Hôtel les Voyageurs** : 04 79 05 01 39
Hôtel du Commerce*** : 04 79 05 20 98
Mondauphin :
Hotel Lacour : 04 92 45 03 08
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
EQUIPMENT LIST
Clothing
Other Equipment
BACKPACK
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle (except D4 and D6). You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 10kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the the driver to refuges, which access is not always easy! Luggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!