La Panoramique

Starting from St Félicien, the birthplace of the cyclosportive l'Ardéchoise, you will take an unknown pass, but certainly one of the most beautiful in the area.
The steady climb to the Col de Fontfreyde will be a delight for the calves unless you have chosen an electric-assisted bike. From there, an almost flat road will lead you to the perched village of Nozières, where the view is stunning. If it happens to be a hot summer day, the shade offered by the fir trees will provide comforting coolness.
From Nozières, another small kilometer of climbing followed by about fifteen kilometers on a false flat, but especially with permanent viewpoints over the upper Doux valley. Marvel, you will spot here and there the villages of St Jeure d'Andaure, Lafarre, Rochepaule, and the gourmet village of St Bonnet le Froid, already in Haute Loire.
The finish just before Lalouvesc will mark the last kilometers of ascent to exceed 1000m, but very shaded, they will be merely a formality. Take the time to visit the heritage of Lalouvesc, a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Jean François Régis and Sainte Thérèse Couderc, around the basilica, whose architect Pierre Bossan is also the architect of the Fourvière and Ars basilicas in Lyon.
Afterwards, it’s pure happiness on a downhill profile. From the Col du Marchand, do not miss the detour to the perched village of Pailharès, inviting for a stroll. A few more kilometers of descent to return to the starting point, following the tracks of thousands of cyclists in June.