Gorges de Sarenne - Loop hike from Auris en Oisans resort
Description
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Start: Auris-en-Oisans
Height difference: 560 m
Round trip time: 5h
Distance : 12.5 km
MAP AND TOPO :
Map / Topo guide OBP n°2 et 3 (on sale at the tourist office): paths 301 + 290 + 265 + 252 + 339 + 253.
ITINERARY
At the entrance to the resort, take the path up towards the Col de Maronne. At the top, head down towards La Garde, then the Col de Sarenne.
You'll come to the mountain hamlet of Le Rosay, then cross the Sarenne by the Roman bridge 1 km further on. Continue towards Col de Sarenne on a pretty, gently sloping path that runs alongside the torrent of the same name.
At Le Gua, take the path up to Col de Cluy. Then follow the signs for Col de Maronne to get around Signal de l'Homme (Aurienchon summit). This 2.5 km trail is easy to follow. The added bonus: panoramic views of the Belledonne, Taillefer and Écrins ranges as you go.
At the Col de Maronne, return downhill to the resort of Auris-en-Oisans, with a view of the 2 Alpes glacier.
THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
- The hamlet of Le Rosay, with its typical Oisans stone houses and 15th-century chapel de la Ste Trinité, has a mountain charm all of its own.
- The Pont Romain, aptly named, marks the crossing of an ancient "Roman road" that linked Grenoble to Italy via the Col du Lautaret and the Romanche valley.
- The old Sarenne mill, on the banks of the torrent of the same name, with its remains and explanatory panels.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO NEARBY
Discover the botanical garden on path 252, towards the Col de Sarenne.
THINGS TO KNOW
La Sarenne, "the longest black run in the world". In fact, the path you're taking is the end of this legendary ski run in winter.
Dogs must be kept on a leash because of the presence of herding dogs at certain times of the year.