Route de Combe Laval
A cliffside road cut into the sheer walls of the Vercors in the late 19th century, suspended above valleys hundreds of meters deep. It is often ranked among France's most daring roads.
The road was built in the 1890s to transport timber. It was carved along the vertical cliff face near Col de Machine, with tunnels and half-tunnels. Beyond the protective walls at the roadside lies a deep gorge, and the views are breathtaking. The old road in the nearby Grand Goulet Gorge has been closed to traffic due to falling rocks. A good loop is to drive from Grenoble via Villard-de-Lans and the Bourne Gorge, which takes about a day. The road is narrow and full of bends, so take care when passing, and expect many cyclists.
Opening hours
All day (subject to road conditions)
Nearby sights
- Pont-en-Royans
- Choranche Caves
- Vercors Resistance Memorial
- Vercors Regional Natural Park
- Mont Aiguille
- Lac de Monteynard & Himalayan Footbridges
- Cuves de Sassenage
- Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car