Col du Parpaillon
Route start-finish: La Condamine-Crévoux
A tarmac road, in a poor state of repair, pretty steep, zig-zags up the hillside above a stream, to a cluster of chalets just before Chapelle de Sainte Anne. From here the road surface gets worse but is still rideable.
The road here goes along the south side of the valley, through a forest. After the forest the track is very rough, but possibly rideable.
Parpaillon Tunnel entrance (pictured above) is furnished at each end with a large metal door. These doors are only open during the summer season, approx 1 July - 15 October. However there is a path (20 minutes walking distance) to the top.
The tunnel heght is inscribed on the entrance. There are a few shallow puddles in the tunnel, which is 500yards long and fairly straight. The descent is very rough and it will take you the best part of an hour and a half to reach tarmac.
It is best to reserve a full day for this route.
