Combe Laval
D76Saint-Jean-en-Royans to Saint-Laurent-en-Royans · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Distance6.7mi · 10.8 km
Drive time15 minon the road
DifficultyDemanding
GorgeMountainForest
Vertiginous balcony road blasted into a Vercors cirque cliff face
The D76 above Saint-Jean-en-Royans includes the Combe Laval section, a balcony road cut directly into the vertical cliffs of a deep Vercors cirque and passing through several short rock tunnels. Built from the 1860s for forestry, it runs high above the Royans toward the Col de la Machine with sheer drops on the open side. The carriageway is narrow with low unlit tunnels and minimal parapet, and snow can block it in winter.
Where it runs
Saint-Jean-en-RoyansStart · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Saint-Laurent-en-RoyansEnd · France
Character
Corners20bends
Tightness7of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb647 mtotal ascent
Summit1088 mhighest point · 3570 ft
SpringSummerAutumn
Elevation
326 m rangeKnow before you go
- Cliff-edge balcony with sheer unguarded drops
- Narrow unlit rock tunnels
- Falling rock and winter snow closure
Along the road
- viewpoint Jourdan
- viewpoint Combe laval
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Combe Laval.
