Col des Encombres

The municipality of Les Bellevilles is located in a quiet side valley of the Isère river, south of Albertville. It was formed in 2016 by the merger of the previously independent towns of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Saint-Jean-de-Belleville, and Villarlurin. Les Bellevilles is not only a snow-sure winter sports center but also the starting point for a highly varied detour up to the Col des Encombres, which rises to 2,361 meters. This drive offers a lot in terms of both landscape and driving experience.

Following the signs for Val des Encombres, you can drive uphill from Saint-Martin-de-Belleville on a small asphalt road into a romantic valley. After about five kilometers, the asphalt ends, and a wide, level gravel road begins. It crosses a bridge over the river that gave the valley its name, the Torrent des Encombres. A few branches follow, and the Col des Encombres is well signposted at each turn. Occasionally, short sections of asphalt are included.

From a secluded high alpine pasture, the route becomes exciting, as it ascends steeply on a washed-out, rocky path. The numerous hairpin turns, in particular, require a good sense of throttle control. At 2,329 meters, the road passes the saddle of the Petit Col des Encombres and continues for about another kilometer to its endpoint at 2,361 meters. Stop, turn off the engine, listen, and look—absolute silence, with an impressive panorama of the white peaks of the Vanoise. A dream.