| Col
de Sarvatan (2439m)
Col de Montjoie (2253m)
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These two cols
visit the heights west of the Saint-François Longchamp ski-resort. Each can be done individually,
but it is more interesting to make a circular walk, visit the wild areas of
the southern parts of the Lauzière range and do them both for the price
of one. Marked in yellow all the way, it is difficult to get lost. No difficulty.
IGN map TOP 25 3433ET. 3 to 4 hours for about 850m of ascent.
Start
Stop at the first bend on the road to Col
de la Madeleine above Longchamp 1650 (parking space, signpost). Other start:
the hairpin bend above (1896m).
Route
Start on a wide yellow-marked trail heading
west. It is level and wet at the start, then goes up grassy slopes. At a signpost,
turn right and traverse La Grande Pierraille (vast scree expanse) towards a
second signpost, quite visible in the distance, where the start from point
1896m
is joined. Negotiate a series of climbs and traverses on steep grassy terrain.
Towards the col, follow the base of the cliffs on the left until you reach
Col
de Sarvatan (2439m, signpost). On the other side, turn left and stay level
with the col until you see a big cairn on a ridge. Pass the cairn and discover
the
west side of the Lauzière massif. A good path sweeps down the Epierre
side. It must be followed to an intersection 400m below Sarvatan. Turn left
towards Col de Montjoie (signpost, fluorescent marks). The route traverses
up
winding its way between various anti-avalanche constructions under the col,
which is reached shortly afterwards (signpost). From the col, it is easy
to reach the top of Roc Rouge (2375m) via its south ridge. Walk down towards
St François on a yellow-marked path, going past a small lake, until
you arrive at the first signpost and find the ascent route. Walk down to the
car.
(Back
to the map)
Montjoie
- Le Grand Mas
From Montjoie, you can walk down the south-oriented ridge that ends at Le Grand Mas, the last summit of the range that originates near Sarvatan. Pathless half of the time.
Go south from the col and scramble across a boulder area, staying more or less near the edge (easy). Pass left of Roche Bénite, then go down a grassy path towards an obvious groove on the ridge down below, to the left of which you can see another path. Always stay on the left side (east) of the ridge. Negotiate a succession of short climbs and descents and reach a grassy col not far from Le Grand Mas. From the col, the north summit is easily accessible (traverse right and climb left at a ridge). The south (and real) summit is out of reach from this side (rocky gap).
To go down, walk back to the grassy col and down the grass on its eastern side (steep, but short). A path traverses under the Grand Mas's east face, then turns left along the scree and joins the wide trail that comes up from Lac de la Grande Léchère. Going left on the trail will take you up to the end of La Grande Rigole and the path between Col de Montjoie and St François (signpost). You can also traverse the grassy mounds on the ridge (awkward passages) and reach Le Mollaret et Montgellafrey via Lac de la Grande Léchère. Beautiful and varied traverse offering views on the Belledonne range and the Villards valleys on the other side behind the pyramid of Mont Cuchet.