The geology here is exceptional as the plateau would have continued to Malleval if the water hadn't cut into the mountain. Information de la commune de Cognin les Gorges: Le chemin de randonnée des Gorges du Nan est interdit à toute circulation à partir des passerelles situées 500 m en amont du Pont Romain qui permet d'accéder au sentier en direction de montchardon. A ne surtout pas manquer! From Cognin-les-Gorges, it is particularly after the first tunnel that the road becomes exceptional. The road was built above all to secure the access. La route, taillée dans la falaise, fut achevée en 1894, sinueuse comme il se doit pour une véritable route de montagne, elle est des plus pittoresques par ses tunnels, ses corniches et ses paysages exceptionnels.

At the time, the only way to go up to Malleval was by the track along the torrent.

At the time, the only way to go up to Malleval was by the track along the torrent. They are one of the jewels of the Vercors with their variety of habitats.

The Gorges du Nan, today classified as a sensitive natural area, are surprising and a bit confidential. This incision provides a benchmark for geologists studying this Urgonian limestone layer that is characteristic to the Vercors. Les Gorges du Nan, aujourd'hui classées en espace naturel sensible, sont surprenantes et un peu confidentielles. The location of the old village of Cognin shows the old links that inhabitants had with the entrance to these gorges. There are no stopping points so it is better to continue directly to Malleval-en-Vercors where you will appreciate the break. The geology here is exceptional as the plateau would have continued to Malleval if the water hadn't cut into the mountain. The location of the old village of Cognin shows the old links that inhabitants had with the entrance to these gorges.

There is little room for error on these roads. Ce sont l'une des perles du Vercors de par la variété de milieux. The road was built above all to secure the access. No major works here, instead the two villages decided to join forces in 1880 to trace this secondary, but unique road, with its succession of tunnels cut directly into the rock.The surface of the road is paved. It’s incredibly disorienting to look over the edge, or even just to see the valleys a couple thousand feet below you. The Vercors was a stronghold for the French Resistance during the second world war, and memorials can be seen alongside many of the roads. The road is cut in the rocks, with some tunnels. Route en encorbellement, accrochée au rocher, percée de plusieurs tunnels. It’s a kind of road not for those who fear heights. Gorges du Nan, a balcony road in France A short section of the D22 road, through the Gorges du Nan, with a length of 5.5 miles only, links the towns of Malleval-en-Vercors and Cognin-les-Gorges. Looking over the railing makes you realize the depth below you – with only a small stone Leitplank next to you – but only the drone footage shows how insane this road truly is.This road has humbled many egos.This road is one of the most famous balcony roads in France. Itinéraires en voiture dans les Gorges du Tarn, sur l'Aubrac, les Grands Causses et dans la Vallée du Lot. A balcony road is a hair-raising lane cut into the sides of sheer cliffs. They are one of the jewels of the Vercors with their variety of habitats. Les gorges du Nan font l'objet d'un itinéraire pédestre (niveau difficile) qui les surplombe. All is naturally preserved as not very accessible. Un arrêt s'impose entre le deuxième et troisième tunnel pour apprécier un point de vue à couper le souffle!. It’s normal for your palms to sweat looking at those photos, imagine what it must have been like before the barriers.

Here one says a prayer that nobody is coming towards you until the road widens some kilometres further.