The tour starts in the small French village of Meyronnes. From here, you pedal steadily uphill on gravel along the southern ramp towards Hameau de Saint-Ours, cross the tranquil little village and follow the path deep into the Viraysse Valley. In the lower section, you pass an impressive military installation of the Maginot Line, impressively carved into the rock - a silent witness to past conflicts.

The trail continues up through sparse larch forests until you turn left towards Col du Vallonet in the upper section of the valley, just before the Viraysse installations. In a mix of pedalling and pushing, you finally reach the pass crossing at over 2500 meters above sea level - an impressive scenic location that already provides a spectacular foretaste of the descent ahead.

The trail down to Fort de Plate Lombarde is a real treat: Fluid to ride (S1 to S2) and nestled in an impressive high mountain landscape. The fort itself - also part of the Maginot Line - was the scene of military conflicts between France and Italy in the 1940s.

From here, the next uphill to Pas de la Couletta begins, now much more sporty: pushing, sometimes carrying, the path winds its way upwards. The transition lies slightly below the Tête de la Frema and forms the start of a challenging but rewarding downhill section. At S2 to S3 level, peppered with hairpin bends and loose gravel, riding technique is required here, especially in the crossing area. However, the further you ride, the smoother the trail becomes.

A real highlight of the tour is Lac Premier, which lies picturesquely in the landscape - almost too perfect to seem real. The trail then flows down to the Refuge du Chambeyron and on to Fouillouse - a fantastic passage with a high fun factor.

After a short break, the next climb begins - first pedaling, then pushing again - to the Col de Mirandol. This pass is also impressively nestled in a high alpine setting. The final descent towards Meyronnes demands full concentration once again with S to S3 difficulty, loose gravel and alpine terrain.

Conclusion: A long, challenging and epic high mountain tour, peppered with historical sites, panoramas and trail highlights. If you want to avoid the ascent to Pas de la Couletta, you can alternatively take the military road from Fort de Plate Lombarde.