The Saint-Veran observatory and the Pic de Château-Renard

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This route in A/R takes you through enchanting surroundings to the beautiful Saint-Véran observatory, where you can then flirt with the 3,000 m mark (2,989 m) by climbing to the Pic de Château Renard for one last effort.
Friendly marmots will accompany you along the way, guaranteed to steal your heart.

Details

n°22449783
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,043 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,043 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,979 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,024 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the large car park at Pont de Lariane on the road out of the village of Fontgillarde towards the Col Agnel.

(S/E) Take the footbridge and follow a wide stony track on the left to quickly reach a very pleasant larch forest. Continue along the well-marked path that follows it to reach the Torrent du Longet.

(1) Continue along the left bank of this torrent, climbing steadily but sometimes a little monotonously, to reach the Col du Longet.

(2) Turn right and begin a short descent to reach the track leading to the observatory.

(3) Follow this stony track to the right, which winds its way through relatively dry countryside. A series of hairpin bends will take you to the observatory site.

(4) Continue straight ahead to easily reach the Pic de Château-Renard.

(5) Return via the same route to reach the Pont de Lariane car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,024 m - Pont de Lariane car park - Aigue Agelle (rivière) - Affluent du Guil
  2. 1 : km 1.53 - alt. 2,249 m - Longet Torrent
  3. 2 : km 3.64 - alt. 2,693 m - Col de Longet (2701m)
  4. 3 : km 4.23 - alt. 2,645 m - Access track to the Observatory
  5. 4 : km 7.18 - alt. 2,937 m - Saint-Véran Observatory
  6. 5 : km 7.51 - alt. 2,975 m - Pic de Château Renard
  7. S/E : km 14.66 - alt. 2,024 m - Pont de Lariane car park

Notes

I classify this hike as difficult for several reasons:
- the length of the climb, although it is never steep, except from the observatory to the peak,
- the lack of shade or shelter,
- the lack of water sources.
Between (3) and (4) This is the road used by vehicles to supply the observatory. The slope is gentle and will take you to your destination very easily. When you come to a metal barrier, which is very easy to cross, you will not be far from your destination.

Worth a visit

I have never seen so many marmots on a route, and I hope you are just as lucky.
If you are tempted by a night at altitude, see: Saint-Véran Observatory

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Frédéric, Caroline
Frédéric, Caroline

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This was the second time we had done this hike.
From the Lariane bridge, the walk is pleasant until you reach the Col de Longet. The first part is under larch trees, then the trail opens up onto meadows. The climb to the pass is steady, with some steep sections.
The descent from the Longet pass to the road leading to the observatory is also pleasant. However, the switchbacks that follow to the observatory can seem a little long and monotonous... luckily, the surrounding landscapes more than make up for it!
When you arrive at the Saint-Véran observatory, there are still a few metres to go to reach the Pic de Château Renard (alt. 2,989 m). From there, the 360° view is simply magnificent.

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sjoannic
sjoannic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to the author! It's a lovely hike, a bit long but without any technical difficulties.
The view from the peak is breathtaking!

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Pasnog
Pasnog

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a pleasant, steady climb to the Col de Longet before turning off towards the observatory (which you can see quite late on) via the small path to the right of the pass, where you will indeed find numerous edelweiss flowers. After that, the trail is a little rough, but there are several places where you can cut across the switchbacks.

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rage2001
rage2001
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular hike returning via the west, towards the Cime de Combe Crose, via the Saint-Véran ski area.
The route map and photos can be found at this address: https://treksrandos.fr/alpes/hautes-alpe...

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eugeniealessandro
eugeniealessandro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful climb to the peak of Château-Renard via the eastern slope. No particular difficulties. This hike allows you to discover the Saint-Véran observatory, which offers night-time stargazing sessions. And the view from the summit over the Aigue Blanche valley is magnificent.

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abeauville
abeauville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A little disappointed by this hike, which in my opinion is not one of the "must-dos" in Queyras. Admittedly, the view from the summit is superb. But the climb to the Col du Longet, the traverse under the ridge and the long climb up the track are not particularly exciting.
Note:
— just after the pass, a path slightly higher than the one indicated crosses almost horizontally. This saves ~100m of elevation gain (at the cost of a slightly less comfortable route).
— The indicated duration of 7 hours 15 minutes seems excessive to me. The walking time is about 5 hours for an average walker.
— You can cut a few bends in the trail on the way up (which is a bit steep at times) and especially on the way down.

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Domdt08
Domdt08

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent!
A bit physically demanding due to the length of the route, but definitely worth doing!!!!

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herve3401
herve3401

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike offering beautiful scenery, first over the Aigue Agnelle valley and the Agnel refuge, then over the St Véran slope and the Blanche refuge. The climb to Pic de Chateau Renard is not difficult and well worth the effort.

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Piteur38
Piteur38

Glad you enjoyed it. Did you get to see any marmots?

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BJdemai
BJdemai

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to the St Véran astronomical observatory, next to Pic de Chateau Renard, without any particular difficulty (in summer, without rain). (Be sure to bring plenty of water). Enjoy your walk.

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