A beautiful loop through the Haut Juras – finishing with a superb climb through and above the Gorges du Flumen (map below).
The ride starts off easily enough along a typical Jura plateau, eventually reaching Col de la Croix de la Serra.
From here on the route is surrounded by huge cliffs and lovely country side.
The best is saved for last. From Saint-Claude, the climb through the gorgeous Gorges du Flumen – and above on a little road. It is almost 800 metres vertical climb. Hard work, but worth the effort.
6 Comments
Superbe, les lacets de Septmoncel dans ces Gorges du Flumen sont magnifiques.
This ride looks very nice. I think that I’ll try it later this year.
By the way, the heights for the two cols shown as xxx on your list are 702 metres for the col de Mallebranche and 714 metres for the col des Menuelles.
Keep up the good work, Will. I enjoy reading your blog even though most of your outings are far too strenuous for me to consider. I have particularly liked your recent postings on the Dolomites.
David,
Thanks very much for the altitude information
I did this loop a couple of weeks ago starting from St. Genis-Pouilly – absolutely epic day in the saddle. The views climbing the Gorge du Flumens were spectacular.
https://www.strava.com/activities/410966519
We did this rote yesterday on your recommendation – thank you, it was superb. Great climb but the highlight for me were the descents around Choux on very quiet well paved roads. It was an unexpected surprise that it also covered much of the 2017 tdf route.
The first part of the climb at gorges du flumens is on a fairly busy road – the route out to Geneva – and as it was quite foggy this bit wasn’t as much fun.
I did this loop on Sunday with an extension up and back down the Col de la Faucille starting from Gex. The strong wind from the south west made a tough day harder, but great scenery and almost deserted roads. Thank you for posting this route.
And in general thank you for the routes and inspiration on this site, I’ve taken many ideas from it over the last few years.