La Croix de Cassini – rando depuis Auris Station
Superb route which offers upon arrival an incredible 360° view of the surrounding peaks and massifs; one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Oisans.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: Place des Orgières
Elevation: 967m
Indicative round trip duration: 7 hours
Round trip distance: 15.5km
Level: difficult
MAP AND TOPO
IGN TOP 25 map – 3335ET – LE BOURG-D'OISANS L'ALPE D'HUEZ GRANDES ROUSSES SEPT LAUX
Topo map OBP n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds), trails 312; 254b and 255
ROUTE
Alpine itinerary with panoramic views of the Oisans peaks. The hike starts at Place des Orgières. You will take a small path overlooking the road, slightly going up the Col road. The trail entrance is located well before the Vacancéoles residence. It takes you to the Saint Géraud chapel. The pastoral track you then take will lead you to the pretty and bucolic Hameau de Cluy. Then take the path that will take you directly to the Col de Cluy. Admire the water trickling nearby where crocuses bloom by the thousands. From the Col de Cluy, follow the direction of the Col de Grange Pelorce, passing by the Chalet de Campaloup. After the Col de Cluy, the trail climbs due south on the grassy slopes of the Grandes Buffes. From here, the panorama is already breathtaking. If the weather conditions are satisfactory, then continue to the Croix de Cassini, which is located at 2373m. After descending the pass, to climb to the Cross, the path gradually turns to the right.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
– Chapel and belvedere of St Géraud: a bench with a view of the Meije is located next to the small chapel
– View of the glacier of the Meije, the Écrins massif, Les 2 Alpes then on to the Grandes Rousses and Sarenne.
TO SEE NEARBY
-Four permanent orienteering courses (children and adults) and different geocaching routes allow you to have fun while walking, and what's more, it's free!
– The “Alice’s House” ecomuseum
TO KNOW
-Who can ignore the name of NASA's Cassini space probe, propelled by a Titan rocket from Cape Canaveral in 1997 and which reached the vicinity of Saturn in 2004? But how many know who the astronomer of that name is? An astronomer and engineer from Savoy, naturalized French in 1673, he was the first director of the Paris Observatory. The Cassini Cross was chosen as an observatory in the XNUMXth century.
Departure: Place des Orgières
Elevation: 967m
Indicative round trip duration: 7 hours
Round trip distance: 15.5km
Level: difficult
MAP AND TOPO
IGN TOP 25 map – 3335ET – LE BOURG-D'OISANS L'ALPE D'HUEZ GRANDES ROUSSES SEPT LAUX
Topo map OBP n°3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds), trails 312; 254b and 255
ROUTE
Alpine itinerary with panoramic views of the Oisans peaks. The hike starts at Place des Orgières. You will take a small path overlooking the road, slightly going up the Col road. The trail entrance is located well before the Vacancéoles residence. It takes you to the Saint Géraud chapel. The pastoral track you then take will lead you to the pretty and bucolic Hameau de Cluy. Then take the path that will take you directly to the Col de Cluy. Admire the water trickling nearby where crocuses bloom by the thousands. From the Col de Cluy, follow the direction of the Col de Grange Pelorce, passing by the Chalet de Campaloup. After the Col de Cluy, the trail climbs due south on the grassy slopes of the Grandes Buffes. From here, the panorama is already breathtaking. If the weather conditions are satisfactory, then continue to the Croix de Cassini, which is located at 2373m. After descending the pass, to climb to the Cross, the path gradually turns to the right.
TO SEE ON THE COURSE
– Chapel and belvedere of St Géraud: a bench with a view of the Meije is located next to the small chapel
– View of the glacier of the Meije, the Écrins massif, Les 2 Alpes then on to the Grandes Rousses and Sarenne.
TO SEE NEARBY
-Four permanent orienteering courses (children and adults) and different geocaching routes allow you to have fun while walking, and what's more, it's free!
– The “Alice’s House” ecomuseum
TO KNOW
-Who can ignore the name of NASA's Cassini space probe, propelled by a Titan rocket from Cape Canaveral in 1997 and which reached the vicinity of Saturn in 2004? But how many know who the astronomer of that name is? An astronomer and engineer from Savoy, naturalized French in 1673, he was the first director of the Paris Observatory. The Cassini Cross was chosen as an observatory in the XNUMXth century.
