Col Girardin

Ceillac

Col Girardin

A lookout, a viewpoint

Geology

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A pilgrimage site, the path of Lake Sainte Anne has many alternative routes to the Ubaye or the Lac Miroir.

Guarded by the peak of Mount Fonte Sancte, the highest point of Queyras, Lake Sainte Anne, very accessible, offers a high mountain atmosphere. Steep walls and rock glaciers adorn this remarkable atmosphere.

8 points of interest

Peak

The summits of Lake Sainte Anne

In the foreground is the end of the sloping ledge of the Adoux sheep pen. We can make out, in the middle distance, a platform where the Lake Saint Anne is located. In the background, the Pics des Heuvières to the right and the Pic de la Font Sancte to the left overlook the lake.

Patrimony and history

Sainte Anne Chapel

The Sainte Anne Chapel faces the lake with the same name. They are also known as the Doux (spring). Pilgrims have been going to the chapel for a long time. The first writing dates back to July 9, 1699. Il records the offerings made to stop the drought. The chapel was destroyed in the winter of 1918-1919 and rebuilt. Its blessing was held on July 26, 1921 in front of 500 people.

Geology

Fluting

These erosions in the form of parallel channels are created by the action of water. The water spread out on a surface remains more or less compact as a whole. It will not have a uniform spreading but will form "spots" and remain as a whole as much as possible. On a sloping surface, the water keeps this consistency and flows following the lines. It will gradually dig the limestone along its path. Once the fluting process begins to dig through, the water becomes trapped in this micro furrow and continues its erosion.

Geology

Sainte Anne Lake

Mountain lakes are the result of the action and the moving of glaciers. By moving, the glacier digs the ground. When it comes across a hard rock, the glacier bypasses it. It can go over it and dig through once it passes the obstacle. At the rear, the glacier leaves in front of the hard rocks encountered previously, a basin closed in front by the mountain glacier and in the back by the mountain. These are the glacial lakes. Other glacial lakes exist such as moraines. But this is another story.

Geology

Conglomerate

The conglomerates are composed of detrital rocks bound by a natural cement. They are composed of different rocks fractured by erosion. These rocks are generally sedimentary (as here) but can also be of volcanic origin. There are various conglomerates. Here its a breach, the rocks are angular. If the stones are pebbles, it is called "pouding" and if angular stones and pebbles are mixed, it is called "tillite".

Geology

Rock glacier

Rock glaciers are composed of ice mixed with rock debris. They move very slowly. For example, the rock glacier of St Anne moves about 0.34m per year. We can distinguish 3 layers which form the rock glaciers. The top layer is formed of rocky debris, free of ice. This layer, in direct contact with the air, freezes in winter and melts in summer. The core layer is a mixture of ice and debris. The last layer is the rock debris buried by the moving glacier. Here, the rock glacier is covered with the first snowfall.

Panorama

Altocumulus lenticularis

Shaped like a dome, the Altocumulus lenticularis or lenticular cloud appears to be still. In reality, they are indicative of unstable air. Bumping into mountainous areas, a large mass of air rises and causes a partial condensation of the water vapour contained therein. Thus forming a cloud. Once the obstacle is passed, the cloud dissolves. It is therefore in constant movement although it seems still.

Panorama

View going up the Col Girardin

Here, a view of the slope of the Col Girardin at the end of autumn. Before the Sainte Anne valley, under the first ledge, are the lake and the chapel. In the background on the left are the snow-covered massifs of Ecrins.

Description

From the car park, go down and turn left, cross a bridge and turn left again. Get on the wide path on the left bank of the stream of the Col du Tronchet. As the trail refines, cross the stream by a bridge and take on a rise in curves.
1 - At point Costes du Col Tronchet (2 164m), turn right on a path that remains levelled, cross the stream again by a wooden bridge and follow the descending false flat. Go around a large mound, and continue to the left.
2 - Exit the forest on a plateau, go around it by the left and follow the last climb to the lake Sainte Anne.
3 - Reach to the lake and turn left on the GR. Take a short climb and continue on the ascending false flat. At the foot of the last climb, go up to the right in the shale until Col Girardin. The same route is used for the return.

Departure : Fond de Chaurionde

Arrival : Fond de Chaurionde

Towns crossed : Ceillac, Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye

Altimetric profile

Information desks

House of the Queyras Regional Nature Park

3580 Route de l’Izoard, 05350 Arvieux

http://www.pnr-queyras.fr/

pnrq@pnr-queyras.fr

+33 (0)4 92 46 88 20

The House of the Queyras Regional Nature Park is closed to the public.

Find out more

OTI du Guillestrois et du Queyras

Maison du Tourisme du Queyras, 05350 Château-Ville-Vieille

http://www.guillestroisqueyras.com

info@guillestroisqueyras.com

+33 (0)4 92 46 76 18

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Transport

05 Voyageur: 04 92 502 505 Tourist Office of Queyras: 04 92 46 76 18

Access and parking

Pass Ceillac and continue until the bottom of the valley.

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