Gorges d'Omblèze, a French balcony road
France, europe
8.1 km
72 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for the Gorges d'Omblèze, a mind-blowing canyon road carved by the Gervanne River in the Drôme region of France. Seriously, this is one of those famous "balcony roads" that France is known for.
The D578 winds right through the gorge, following the river's path. It's all paved, but super narrow, clinging to the cliffs carved out by the Gervanne River. I'm talking single-track in sections, so watch out for oncoming traffic! Rock slides are a real risk here, so keep your eyes peeled.
Surrounded by the stunning Vercors Regional Natural Park, this 8.1 km (5 mile) stretch runs from Plan-de-Baix to Omblèze. Even looking at pictures will get your adrenaline pumping. The views are insane, especially considering there weren't always guardrails! Definitely a heart-racer! And don't forget to check out the Cascade de la Druise waterfall, a massive 72-meter drop!
As far as balcony roads go, this is one of the most famous. Hairpin turns, narrow, unlit tunnels... you name it! It is not for the faint of heart. There's no room for error here, so take it slow, enjoy the incredible scenery and keep an eye out for those little parking spots to pull over!
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 72 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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