The Cretes 25km and 1500m of ascent
Have a look at the
map of the route
The Cretes is the perfect length and ascent for a beginner trailer. It is long distance with enough ascent to make it a really good challenge without entering into the extreme trail running distances!
Whether you are a novice or seasoned trailer, the Cretes is probably one of the most beautiful trail routes you will ever do.
The front runners will complete this race in around 2hrs 15mins but the majority do it in between 3 - 4 hours.
The route starts in the Charance Park with a gradual warm up along the Gap canal - perfect for getting those legs working. You arrive at the first refreshment station after about 6km just before the big climb. The climb begins, sharply and most people walk up. It is steep, with interesting rocky sections and thankfully is in the shade for the majority of the route (very good planning organisers!).
When you reach the Charance ridge you are very well rewarded for your climb with spectacular views across the valley and over to the Ecrins massif. It is a runner's dream with km of spectacular ridge stretched out in front of you, just waiting to be run on!
The ridge is the same as part of the Eidelwiess route and is undulating with ups and downs taking in the crêtes de Charance, le Cuchon, le Pic, la Brèche, Coste-Plane and tête de Guizière. You can challenge yourself and try and run all the way along or just run the flats and downs and walk up the ups! There are no rules - it is your run! There is a welcome refreshment station half way along.
Towards the end of the ridge there is challenging off piste descent taking you down to the path which traverses round to the col de Gleize. Once you get to the col de Gleize there is another refreshment station and the best news is that it is downhill from there until the end.
And what a glorious descent traversing gradually downwards through the rocks and then rolling down through the woods. Perfect leg stretching opportunity!
Have a read of Undiscovered Alps director Sally Guillaume's
Cretes experience in 2011.
