Lavars

Stage 3 of the “Les Grands Cols du Trièves” route runs between Clelles and Lavars, passing the Pont de Parassat Viaduct. The “Entre le Drac et l’Ebron” cycling loop follows the D34a towards Lavars. For hikers, the “Randonnée des passerelles” offers a separate route option.

Hiking through the Drac and Ebron gorges

The 12.5-kilometre “Randonnée des passerelles” circular hike leads through the Drac and Ebron gorges. It follows a forest path and crosses, in sequence, the 220-metre-long Passerelle himalayenne du Drac and the 180-metre-long Passerelle himalayenne de l’Ebron. Along the way, there are views of the lake and surrounding peaks. The two bridges are different lengths; crossing them one after the other is a defining feature of this circular hike.

Depending on the water level of Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet, the Passerelle himalayenne de l’Ebron stands about 45 to 85 metres above the water. This range refers to its height above the water, while its length is 180 metres. The tour therefore describes both the sequence of the two bridges and the varying height of the Ebron footbridge.

Short loop and longer circular hike

A short circular hike starting from Pont de Brion crosses one of the two Monteynard suspension bridges and leads to Pas du Berlioz. From there, you can look out over the Ebron. This route has a different focus from the “Randonnée des passerelles”: here, the viewpoint and crossing one bridge are highlighted, while the longer circular hike goes through both gorges and crosses both footbridges. Route descriptions and access to the viewpoint may change with trail conditions; check the information before your visit.

A much longer option is the difficult 47.4-kilometre “Les Grands Cols du Trièves – Étape 2” circular route. It heads towards Lac du Monteynard. By comparison, the “Randonnée des passerelles” is 12.5 kilometres long; the stated distances clearly distinguish the two routes, and only Étape 2 is explicitly rated as difficult. As its route specifications may be subject to future trail updates, check the information before planning.

Pont de Brion: bridge and route point

Pont de Brion dates from 1951. The bridge has been rebuilt several times because of unstable banks. On the Monteynard route, it can be seen shortly before the Passerelle de l’Ebron. This brings together the bridge’s history and its specific connection to the route: its construction date and repeated rebuilds are part of the story, as is its location just before the suspension bridge.

The short circular hike from Pont de Brion also uses the structure as its starting point. It crosses one of the two Monteynard suspension bridges to Pas du Berlioz, linking a named starting point with views of the Ebron. Trail conditions are especially important for this loop, as they may affect the route description and access to the viewpoint.

Cycling towards Lavars

The “Entre le Drac et l’Ebron” cycling loop follows the D34a towards Lavars. Road conditions can change; check them before your ride.

For planning your trip to Lavars, the routes mentioned offer different options: a circular hike through two gorges, a difficult longer route, a short loop with a viewpoint, and a cycling loop towards Lavars. If you’re looking for a hotel in Lavars, you can use these differences to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Siccieu-Saint-Julien-Et-Carisieu, Le Touvet, Pontcharra, Saint-Paul-lès-Monestier, Saint-Romain-de-Surieu, Ambel, Moidieu-Détourbe, Mottier.

For the broader travel overview: Isere.