La Croix de Cassini - Hike from the Col de Sarenne (Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans)

This aerial trail follows a ridge with some tricky sections. At the summit, the Cassini Cross offers a 360° panorama of all the surrounding peaks and massifs (Grandes Rousses, Aiguilles d'Arves, Taillefer, la Meije, le Râteau...).

This itinerary offers spectacular panoramas of all types of glaciers: domed, cascading or hanging... You'll discover crevasses, glacier tongues, seracs and moraines. If you're lucky, you might even spot a marmot, lammergeier or chamois.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Start: Col de Sarenne parking lot
Ascent: 421 m
Round trip time: 2h15
Round trip distance: 4.6 km
Level: Medium (a few aerial passages)

MAP AND TOPO
IGN TOP 25 map n°3335 ET
OBP map no. 2 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trail 254c

ITINERARY
Park at Col de Sarenne at an altitude of 1,999 m. From here, it's possible to reach the Croix de Cassini via the ridge. Although not indicated on maps or signs, this (the most direct) route takes in some challenging passages and sometimes requires the help of your hands. In places, the path splits off to the right and left, and joins up again on the ridge, with each option available as soon as the snow runs out. So, even if the views along the ridge are superb, this route is best reserved for those with a mountaineering spirit.
For the uninitiated, it's best to head back down to the road after the pass, on the Alpe d'Huez side, in the direction of the chalets, and take the Col Grange Pellorce path from the Sella (on the left). This route is a little longer, about 1h30 uphill to reach La Croix, but much safer. The marmot, the majestic lammergeier and the chamois will all be there for you to enjoy. At Croix de Cassini 2361 m, all these efforts are rewarded by a unique panorama of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

THINGS TO SEE ON THE WAY :
- La Bergerie du Col de Sarenne
- The Grange Pellorce mountain pastures

SIGHTSEEING NEARBY:
- The village of Clavans en Haut Oisans: its fountains, squares, church and ancient dwellings.
In Alpe d'Huez:
- The Musée d'Huez et de l'Oisans.
- Notre Dame des Neiges church (its architecture, its original organ in the shape of a hand stretched towards heaven and its 13 stained-glass windows illustrating scenes from the Gospel.

WORTH KNOWING:
The Écrins massif is the largest glacial massif in France. From the summit of La Croix, we can 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 18th century, César-François Cassini was entrusted with the ambitious mission of mapping the kingdom of France. He left his name to many peaks, including the Cassini Cross, which he used for his measurements. Cassini maps, drawn over 250 years ago, are as accurate as today's IGN maps.