D290 : Salavas - St. Just (Gorges de l'Ardèche)

April 5, 2008 - 2.0

A big disappointment. Yes the scenery is great, but as a (sportsbike) motorcycling experience it is spoiled by a poor road surface and fallen rocks. The overhanging rock is very unstable which means that after rain/wind/cold temps there is a lot of debris on the road leading to a lack of confidence about what hazzards lie around the next inevitably blind corner. No curb, no barriers, and no warnings. And there is (now?) supposed to be a 60 kph speed limit!
There are so many other great roads in this area for the motorcyclist. My advise would be to go elsewhere unless you want to just poot along and watch the scenery. Even then, youll have to watch out. And I did it on a frigid April morning with no cars. Gawd knows what its like in the tourist season!

October 12, 2007 - 5.0

Unique and perfect road with spectacular scenery, but unfortunately with lots of traffic in the northern part of the gorge. A road not to be missed. Added some photos too…

October 30, 2005 - 4.0

This is one of the scariest roads i've ever ridden, the corners are fantastic, the scenery is gob smacking, but there are no barriers and it's a huge drop off the outside of every corner!!! The only road where I've seen a sign saying 'too many motorcyclists have died, slow down' (only in French of course) Definitely worth a visit, and there's a fantastic little restaurant at the eastern end just set down and back off the road. on the gorge side.

February 15, 2005 - 5.0

Unbelievable views, breathtaking corners and some incredible sights along this famous (and sometimes tourist crowded) route along a canyon. Utterly brilliant and totally frightening in places!!