This ride allows you to enter in LE VERCORS by a little road from SAINT GERVAIS. Saint Gervais is located between Grenoble and Saint Marcellin on the left side of Isere river. It is a little road dedicated to bikes. You will climb in the forest before passing by a big waterfall and a canyon called "CANYON DES ECOUGES". Here is a location of this area on the map:

We leave the main road N532 at the crossroad with D35. The distances are written in kilometers, not in miles ...

One kilometer later, we are arrived in the village of SAINT GERVAIS. For the moment, there are no difficulties...

Yes! The road is opened ! We can begin to climb ! One kilometer after the exit of the village, you will see a short bend and the road is a little steep before entering in the forest...

One kilometer after, the road continues to climb. You will have the mountain on your left...

Three kilometers after the exit of the village, we arrive at this crossroad at 540 meters of altitude...

Later, the road climbs gently in the forest and we arrive under the waterfall of the little river called "LA DREVENNE". You may stop on the bridge and enjoy the nice noise of the water... Very pleasant area with no cars...

The roads becomes tiny in the forest, perhaps a little steep...

Two bends later, we see another little waterfall. I don't know exactly its names and it is dry during summertime...

Later, another crossroad with a forest lane at 730 meters of altitude. The climb is not yet finished...

From this moment, the situation changes. The mountain will be on our right. The road continues to climb in the forest...

After a good climb of seven kilometers we are arrived to "CANYON DES ECOUGES". The road continues in the tunnel. But there is a bend in the tunnel. You won't be able to ride it if you have no lights. If you ride this Col in summertime, there is a little road opened in the montain on your left. On this road, you will see a nice point of view of Isere valley...

Just after this Canyon, the landscape changes. We enter in the VERCORS between theses large rocks...

At this moment, four kilometers are required to arrive to the Col... Be aware the climb is easier here...

Twelve kilometers after the exit of Saint Gervais, we arrive to the Col at 1074 meters of altitude. This area is beautiful, nice for a picnic... On your right, another road climbs to Col du Mont Noir...

On the other side of the col, this road descends towards RENCUREL following the river LA DOULOUCHE. Here is an overview of RENCUREL seen here in the descent in September. Colors are different from the other sides, don't they ?

This road arrives later on the main road, D531 which goes from PONT EN ROYANS to VILLARD DE LANS.