Riding the road to Combe Laval offers stunning views of the Vercors region. Approximately 13km (8 mi) long, the route is located on the municipalities of Saint-Jean-en-Royans and Saint-Laurent-en-Royans in the Drôme, southeastern France.
The road is famous for its vertigo-inducing cliffhanger section, which is a narrow piece of road cut into the cliff offering great views below. This road definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted or anyone who has a fear of heights.
This route was constructed between 1861 and 1898 and was originally used to transport timber from Forêt de Lente to St-Jean-en-Royans, France. The Combe Laval is in the Vectors region, which played an important part in the Second World War as it was the site of the French Resistance (Maquis du Vercors).
Combe Laval is protected as a national heritage site due to the amount of flora and fauna in the area.
How many kilometres is it / How long does it take to ride it? The road to the Combe Laval is nearly 13 km (8 mi) long, making it a short but highly enjoyable ride.
Are there any accommodation or camping options along the way? There are good places to stay in the towns of Saint-Laurent-en-Royans, Saint-Jean-en-Royans, and Pont-en-Royans. It’s not possible to camp along the roadside of Combe Laval as it’s far too narrow. However, there are campgrounds in Saint-Jean-en-Royans and Mirabel-et-Blacons.
Interesting sights on the route? The Vercors, Drome, and Isere Valley are wonderful areas to explore and do some outdoor activities.
The Combe Laval Road offers magnificent views of the Vercors region’s hilly landscape and the Plateaux du Bas Dauphiné.
The Vercors Regional Park is definitely worth visiting. The park is full of hidden gems like waterfalls, caves, high plateaux, lush valleys, forests and mountain meadows.
What is the best time of year to travel the route? The best time to travel the Combe Laval is between late April to October, when all the mountain passes have been reopened and the snow has melted. The Vercors region is a popular skiing destination, with the ski season officially starting in November.
Is the route ever closed over winter? The D76 Combe Laval Road is usually open all year round but, during winter months, heavy snowfall and avalanches can block sections of the road. There are also patches of ice on the road during this season. So, if you choose to ride this route over winter, do so with extreme caution.
Where are people able to get fuel when they are riding the route? If you need any gas, the two nearest petrol stations are in Saint Jeans en Royans and Pont-en-Royans.
Photo credit: Fr Maxim Massalitin / CC BY Photo credit: jlggb / CC BY
