D120 Col de Menee, near Grenoble

November 17, 2010 - 4.0

The D120 over Col de Menee is another off the radar, great ride in the area south of Grenoble. A particular delight if riding north at the end of the day is spending the night at the 16th century Chateau di Passieres in Chichilianne. Accommodations (40 euros), swimming pool, tennis and a scrumptious country dinner (20 euros).

Of the 3 Cols in the immediate area, (Col de Rousset, Col de Grimone) Col de Menee is the least well known but don let that deter you. The road surface is good, good twisties, sweepers and scenery.

Rousset and Menee are separated by a mountain wall and its a shame that the two roads do not have a connecting pass in the north. However, you can from one to the other by fringing Grenoble. Its a bit of a bother to string the 3 Cols together, but if you do its worth it.

For those heading east to the Alps proper, from Chichilianne there is a side road that leads to Mens where you pick up the spectacular D526 to La Mure and onwards to Col dOmon.