Col de Malissol

Description

A lovely, easily accessible 3rd category mountain pass, used during the 5th stage of the 66th Critérium du Dauphiné! Superb in late afternoon or at sunset, when the sun is disappearing behind the Vercors, far off in the distance!

Rather difficult. Once in Valbonnais, take the D526 road towards Entraigues / Le Perier / Col de Ornon. When you get to Entraigues, turn right towards Valjouffrey. Once you get to Chapel-en-Valjouffrey, turn left to head towards Valsenestre. You will now be in Beranger’s secret little valley, fully classified as a nature reserve. At the deep end of the valley, the forest thins out, opening up on the Valsenestre corrie, which is surrounded by high peaks (Muzelle Boulder, Swan Point, Valsenestre Peak, ...), a paradise for climbers and hikers. The superbly restored hamlet of Valsenestre was a permanent residential area until 1958, but life was difficult there. Joyful and dotted with flowers in summer, the village would become isolated from the rest of the world during the winter. Today, its homes are above all holiday residences that are used solely during the summer months. Descent via the same route.