Le Monolithe de Sardières

The Monolithe de Sardières rises 93 meters high as a needle-shaped structure made of cargneule, a hard sedimentary rock, at 1670 meters elevation.

The first successful climb of this geological formation occurred in 1957, marking the beginning of its status as a climbing destination in the French Alps.

The monolith stands at the entrance of Vanoise National Park, representing the geological heritage of the Haute-Maurienne region through its distinctive cargneule composition.

Visitors can access the site throughout the year via a 4-kilometer hiking trail with a 160-meter elevation gain, featuring dedicated parking facilities.

The natural erosion process has carved this solitary rock pillar while dissolving surrounding formations, creating an isolated geological monument in the Alpine landscape.

Location: Val-Cenis

Elevation above the sea: 1,670 m

Made from material: vacuolar dolomite

GPS coordinates: 45.24780,6.76830

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:41