Belle Belledonne

The Belledonne mountains on both sides of the road from Sechilienne are so sheer and prominent, that the Romanche river has cut only space enough for one road. So we all - bicycle, motorbike, car, campervan, horse wagon - have to share the same path.

These rock giants, like Masdif du Taillefer, are so big and so near that rolling along them feels like a hazy dream. Surreal ride.

I came across a sign that said "passerelle Himalayenne". Not sure what that means but Himalayan? I had to check it out. It turned out to be a suspended rope bridge, but made of steel ropes. This takes out the danger, unlike the ones in the Himalayas.

It was a beautiful spot, so I decided to set up camp for the night. The river hissed and gurgled. The sun set and the stars pirouetted overhead between the mountain gorges.Read more