Cycle loops in Ardèche

Presentation

For a total of 1,421 km (883 miles), the 6 loops in the French departments of Ardèche and Gard include 120 cols, plus 4 optional passes, for a total ascent of about 27990 m (91830ft).

This new version of permanent long-distance touring routes (« randonnées permanentes » in French) has been drawn by Jean-Clément, a Club member, from the already existing routes of the « randonnée 100 cols in Ardèche».

Routes

Registration form

Objective

The Club des Cent Cols, founded in 1972 and affiliated to the French national bicycle touring organization, « Fédération Française de Cyclotourisme » under number 6384, offers this new permanent long-distance touring route on the simple principle of completing « a hundred cols ».

Completing 100 cols will enable you not only to become a member of our Club or climb up the « Roll of Honour » of the Club but also to discover or re-discover the French department Drôme, an area so rich in natural and historic sites.

Stamps

The participant has to obtain 12 stamps on the route at places they are left free to choose. These places are control points certifying they have done the itinerary required. Nevertheless, they must choose one control point along each loop. Please write the loop number on your road map.

The 6 loops (with stopover points) are as follows :

1. Tournon – Vanosc : 93,5 km, Vanosc – Lamastre : 99,5 km, Lamastre – Tournon : 80,5 km (D+ cumulé : 5255 m)
2. Lamastre – Dunières : 115,5 km, Dunière – Lamastre : 95,5 km (D+ cumulé : 4550 m)
3. Lamastre – Le Béage : 126 km, Le Béage – Lamastre : 123,5 km (D+ cumulé : 5535 m)
4. Privas – Largentière : 95 km, Largentière – St Germain : 75 km, St Germain – Privas : 132 km (D+ cumulé : 5885 m)
5. Vals les bains – Lanarce : 98 km, Lanarce – Vals les Bains, : 105 km (D+ cumulé : 4015 m)
6. Largentière – Les Vans : 80 km, Les Vans – Largentière : 102 km (D+ cumulé : 3050 m)

Some passes

• Col du Rouvey (07)
• Col des 4 Vios (07)
• Col de la Croix de Pecona(43)
• Pas du Benas (07)
• Col du Pendu (07)
• Col de Loubaresse (07)

BCN and BPF sites along the route

• Vallon Pont d’Arc
• Les Vans
• Loubaresse
• Lac d’Issarlès
• St Agrève
• Le Gerbier de Joncs

Rules of the game for permanent touring routes

Each participant must respect the rules of the game

For further information

Contact the organizer of the rendonnees permanents

Jean-Marc CLEMENT
10 rue de Normandie
31120 Portet sur Garonne
FRANCE

Tél : +33 (0)5 61 76 30 12
E-mail : randos@centcols.org

IMPORTANT : please send your road map for Cent Cols Club approval, plus your postcards and travel book only to the member responsible for permanent long-distance touring routes (« randonnées permanentes ») in activity when you send these documents. You’ll find their name on the website of the Club.