Col de Mirandol

Col de Mirandol (Ubaye)

The Col de Mirandol offers a fabulous mountain panorama and a varied trail descent into the Ubaye valley.

Description

The route starts above the village of La Condamine-Châtelard, near the campsite. From here, the route initially follows the main road for a few meters - always with a view of the imposing Fort de Tournoux, which clings mightily to the slopes opposite. Shortly afterwards, you turn onto an old military road that takes you steadily uphill to Meyronnes. There is no alternative to this route, as the direct ascent via the main road is closed to cyclists. From Meyronnes, the tour continues on the official cycle route - on gravel through sparse forest - to Saint-Ours. This is where the paved surface ends and the path gradually turns into a single trail. From this point onwards, the bike can only be pushed or carried. After a long stretch of carrying, you finally reach the Col de Mirandol.

The viewpoint on the crossing is an absolute highlight: to the south, the view opens up onto the Tête de Coguret, flanked by extensive forests and numerous, partly overgrown military installations. The gently embedded transition offers an impressive panorama in all directions.

The descent begins classically on wide meadow slopes and rides down to Fouillouse in a gentle curve with difficulty S2. There, you reach a paved surface for a short time before continuing downhill towards the Ubaye valley via a singletrail cut-off. The middle section in particular offers flowing trail passages before you cross the Ubaye river. This is followed by a mix of trails and side roads to Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. Finally, a final climb awaits, which runs above the main road on another military road. The rocky, bizarre landscape in this section is another scenic treat. A final trail trimmer then brings you back to the starting point.

Conclusion: A long, challenging but unforgettable tour that scores with breathtaking scenery, historic trails and alpine flair. This tour is one of the highlights of the region - and should only be tackled in stable weather.

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