La Croix de Cassini – Randonnée depuis le col de Sarenne (Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans)
This aerial trail progresses along a ridge with some tricky passages. At the summit, the Croix de Cassini offers a 360° panorama of all the surrounding peaks and massifs (Grandes Rousses, Aiguilles d'Arves, Taillefer, la Meije, the Rake…).
This route offers spectacular views of all types of glaciers: domed, cascading, and hanging. It will allow you to discover crevasses, glacial tongues, seracs, and moraines. The luckiest among you might even encounter marmots, bearded vultures, or chamois.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: Parking lot of Col de Sarenne
Elevation: 421 m
Round trip duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Round trip distance: 4,6 km
Level: Medium (a few aerial passages)
MAP AND TOPO
IGN TOP 25 card n°3335 ET
OBP map n°2 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail 254c
ROUTE
Park at the Col de Sarenne at an altitude of 1 m. From there, it is possible to reach the Croix de Cassini via the ridge. Be careful, although it is not indicated on maps or signs, this route (the most direct) takes in some challenging passages and sometimes requires the help of hands. In places, the path divides to the right and left, and rejoins on the ridge, each option is possible as soon as there is no more snow. So, even if the view along the ridge is superb, this route will be reserved for those with mountain feet.
For the uninitiated, it is better to go back down the road a little after the pass, on the Alpe d'Huez side, in the direction of the chalets and take the path of the Col Grange Pellorce from the Sella (on the left). This route is a little longer, about 1h30 of climbing to reach the Croix, but much safer. The marmot, the large and majestic bearded vulture or the chamois will invite themselves during the climb for your greatest pleasure. Arrived at Croix de Cassini 2361 m, all these efforts are rewarded by a unique panorama of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
TO SEE ON THE ROUTE:
– The Sheepfold of the Col de Sarenne
– The Grange Pellorce mountain pastures
TO SEE NEARBY:
– The village of Clavans in Haut Oisans: its fountains, its small squares, its church and its old dwellings.
At Alpe d’Huez:
– The Museum of Huez and Oisans.
– The Notre Dame des Neiges church (its architecture, its original organ in the shape of a hand reaching towards the sky and its 13 stained glass windows illustrating scenes from the gospel.
TO KNOW :
The Écrins massif is the largest glacial massif by its extent in France. From the summit of the Cross, we understand the choice of the geographer Cassini who, not without reason, mapped this part of the Écrins massif in the 17th century from this summit.
In the 250th century, César-François Cassini was entrusted with the ambitious mission of mapping the kingdom of France. He left his name to many peaks, such as the Cassini Cross which he used for his measurements. Cassini maps, drawn over XNUMX years ago, are as precise as our current IGN maps.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure: Parking lot of Col de Sarenne
Elevation: 421 m
Round trip duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Round trip distance: 4,6 km
Level: Medium (a few aerial passages)
MAP AND TOPO
IGN TOP 25 card n°3335 ET
OBP map n°2 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail 254c
ROUTE
Park at the Col de Sarenne at an altitude of 1 m. From there, it is possible to reach the Croix de Cassini via the ridge. Be careful, although it is not indicated on maps or signs, this route (the most direct) takes in some challenging passages and sometimes requires the help of hands. In places, the path divides to the right and left, and rejoins on the ridge, each option is possible as soon as there is no more snow. So, even if the view along the ridge is superb, this route will be reserved for those with mountain feet.
For the uninitiated, it is better to go back down the road a little after the pass, on the Alpe d'Huez side, in the direction of the chalets and take the path of the Col Grange Pellorce from the Sella (on the left). This route is a little longer, about 1h30 of climbing to reach the Croix, but much safer. The marmot, the large and majestic bearded vulture or the chamois will invite themselves during the climb for your greatest pleasure. Arrived at Croix de Cassini 2361 m, all these efforts are rewarded by a unique panorama of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
TO SEE ON THE ROUTE:
– The Sheepfold of the Col de Sarenne
– The Grange Pellorce mountain pastures
TO SEE NEARBY:
– The village of Clavans in Haut Oisans: its fountains, its small squares, its church and its old dwellings.
At Alpe d’Huez:
– The Museum of Huez and Oisans.
– The Notre Dame des Neiges church (its architecture, its original organ in the shape of a hand reaching towards the sky and its 13 stained glass windows illustrating scenes from the gospel.
TO KNOW :
The Écrins massif is the largest glacial massif by its extent in France. From the summit of the Cross, we understand the choice of the geographer Cassini who, not without reason, mapped this part of the Écrins massif in the 17th century from this summit.
In the 250th century, César-François Cassini was entrusted with the ambitious mission of mapping the kingdom of France. He left his name to many peaks, such as the Cassini Cross which he used for his measurements. Cassini maps, drawn over XNUMX years ago, are as precise as our current IGN maps.
