Peak of Céüse
2,016 m
France
Also known as Gipfel des Céüse, Pic de CéüseAlso known as
Gipfel des Céüse · Pic de Céüse
- Elevation
- 2,016 m
- Prominence
- 1,040 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The shortest way up: from the car park of the closed Céüze 2000 ski station (about 1,520 m) on the north-west side, up old pistes to the Sommet des Marseillais (1,827 m), a small col at 1,837 m and a gentle grassy ridge to the summit. About 500 m of ascent; often extended into a 12–16 km loop along the crest and the Marais de Raux.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 3.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +526 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,018 m
- Time Up
- 2h 17m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 37m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive the D18 from La Roche-des-Arnauds (between Gap and Veynes) to the large free car park of the former Céüze 2000 ski station at about 1,520 m; the station closed in 2020 and its lifts are being dismantled, but the pistes and lift lines remain useful landmarks. Follow the main piste south to the foot of the old Marseillais drag lift. Where the track turns sharply left, carry straight on along a faint trace in the grass, the one real navigation trap, to the Sommet des Marseillais (1,827 m). A small path passes a few dozen metres below the top of the old Torrent lift to a little col at 1,837 m. Take the left-most path through the grass, which climbs gently along the edge of the plateau to the Pic de Céüse (2,016 m), at the top of the old Corniche lift on the eastern rim of the horseshoe-shaped cliff band. Return the same way (about 1 hour), or make a loop south along the crest past the top of the via ferrata, down the Vallon d'Aiguebelle to the Marais de Raux and the Lumineuse spring, then back north over the western crest to the station: 12–16 km and 750–800 m of ascent, 4–4.5 hours in total. The crest runs along the top of high cliffs; stay on the path in mist.
Start
Céüze 20001,520 m
- None to the station; trains on the Grenoble–Gap and Marseille–Briançon lines stop at Veynes and Gap, about 15–20 km away.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Céüze 2000 → Pic de Céüse | 3.8 | 526 | 29 | 2h 17m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Céüze 20001,520 m
Car park of the former ski station (closed 2020); free
- Feature: Sommet des Marseillais1,824 m
Approximate position at the top of the old Marseillais drag lift
- Summit: Pic de Céüse2,016 m
Key Passages
- Leaving the piste for the faint trace to the Sommet des Marseillais
- Grassy ridge from the col at 1,837 m
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
The highest point of the Bochaine (2,016 m), on the eastern rim of the Montagne de Céüse, a horseshoe of limestone cliffs between Gap and Veynes that is world-famous for sport climbing. An easy walk from the old ski station, or an airy ledge, the Pas du Loup, from Manteyer.
The Montagne de Céüse is a perched syncline: a high, tilted plateau rimmed by a horseshoe of grey limestone cliffs, standing alone above the Buëch and Durance country between Gap and Veynes. The Pic de Céüse (2,016 m) is its highest point, on the eastern side of the horseshoe, with a 360° view from the Écrins and Dévoluy to the Ubaye, Lure and Mont Ventoux.
The cliffs on the south side are one of the best-known sport-climbing crags in the world, with more than 800 routes up to 9b+ including Biographie and Bibliographie. Walkers reach the summit easily from the north-west, from the car park of the former Céüze 2000 ski station (closed in 2020), with about 500 m of ascent on grass and old pistes. From Manteyer on the north-east side, the Pas du Loup climbs the cliff band on a narrow cable-protected ledge; a short via ferrata and the Corniche path give further options from the Col des Guérins on the south side.
The mountain is part of the Natura 2000 site 'Céüse – Montagne d'Aujour – Pic de Crigne – Montagne de Saint-Genis'. Cattle graze the plateau in summer and water is scarce.
Climbing Notes
From the ski station this is a straightforward half-day walk for anyone used to mountain paths, with one easy-to-miss turn onto a faint trace above the Marseillais lift. The crest runs along the top of high cliffs, so stay on the path in mist and take a map. The Pas du Loup route from Manteyer needs a head for heights: the ledge is narrow and exposed though protected by a cable, and it is best avoided when wet, icy or windy. Carry water, as the plateau streams can dry up in late summer. In winter the north-west side is a short, easy ski tour (about 600 m) from the station; snowshoes work well too.
History
The name is recorded as Secussia in 1288 and Séüse in 1522. A small ski area opened in 1935 at Céüze on the Manteyer side and was extended up to 1987, with a lift to the summit; after repeated snowless winters it closed permanently in 2020. In August 2020 Alexander Megos climbed Bibliographie on the Céüse cliffs, proposed at 9c and since regraded 9b+.
Season
Best Sep–Oct- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow; easy ski tour or snowshoe from the station when cover allows
- Feb
- Snow; ski touring or snowshoeing
- Mar
- Variable snow; the Pas du Loup ledge may be icy
- Apr
- Lingering snow on shaded slopes above about 1,700 m
- Jul
- Hot on the south side; start early
- Aug
- Plateau streams may be dry; cattle grazing
- Oct
- Clear autumn days; shorter daylight
- Nov
- First snow possible
- Dec
- Snow; winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Natura 2000 site Céüse – Montagne d'Aujour – Pic de Crigne – Montagne de Saint-Genis: stay on paths and respect wildlife
- Livestock and guard dogs may be present on the plateau in summer; close cattle gates behind you
- The via ferrata has separate, signed ascent and descent lines; walkers on the Corniche path are told not to descend by the via ferrata junction
- Getting There
Gap
Marseille Provence (MRS); Grenoble Alpes-Isère (GNB)
- Car: D994 between Gap and Veynes to La Roche-des-Arnauds, then the D18 south to the Céüze car park (about 1,520 m) or the D118 to Manteyer
- Car (south side): from Gap via the D119/D219 to Sigoyer and the Col des Guérins (1,315 m)
- Train: SNCF stations at Gap and Veynes; no public transport to the trailheads was found
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather