- Lucie TESTARD
- - Oct. 22, 2026
The territory of Rhône Crussol, in Ardèche, has become in a few years a must-see event for cycling enthusiasts. Two climbs have acquired a particular status : the Val d'Enfer and the Mur des Royes, renamed "mythical climbs" by the Community of communes after their passage noticed during the European cycling championships. Portraits of two short and demanding climbs, where the greatest champions of the current peloton have illustrated themselves.
The "Val d'Enfer" : hell that resembles paradise
Despite its name that promises suffering, the Val d'Enfer first surprises by the beauty of its setting. Located between Guilherand-Granges and Toulaud, this climb winds up to the Plateau du Meyret, where the Château de Meyret stands. Throughout the ascent, cyclists enjoy magnificent views of the Rhone valley and the vineyards that shape the slopes of Rhône Crussol. During the Faun Ardèche Classic, the pavement was not deliberately redone in order to preserve all the difficulty and demanding nature of this climb.
But make no mistake : on the bike, the climb keeps all its promises of difficulty. Long about 1.5 to 1.6 kilometers, it has an average slope of 11% with a maximum of 14%, for a total elevation of 150 meters, classifying it in 3rd category.
It is precisely this brutality that has made the Val d'Enfer a springboard for attacks during the last European Championships. The young French prodigy Paul Seixas set a reference time of 4 minutes and 6 seconds, the best time of the race on his sixth and last climb, an effort that allowed him to widen the gap and take 3rd place in the championship. Since then, a sign installed at the top reminds passing fans of the time trial of the champion, enough to measure, with humility, the gap that separates the professional peloton from the common cyclotourists.
The "Mur des Royes", the ramp that rocked the European Championships
Second mythical climb of the sector, the Mur des Royes also called Mur de Cornas climbs through the vineyards that connect Châteaubourg to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps. Less known than the Val d'Enfer before 2025, this climb was propelled to the forefront by the European Championships, where it played a decisive role in the online race.
Indeed, it was in this climb that Tadej Pogačar launched his decisive attack, at about 75 kilometers from the finish, a move that would seal the outcome of the race. The time of the Slovenian champion on this climb, 16 minutes and 24 seconds, is also displayed on a panel at the top, as well as that of Seixas in the Val d'Enfer.
The ascent leads to the plateau of Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, a site steeped in history since it was once a military observation post dominated by a Romanesque chapel. The 360° panorama from this viewpoint is one of the rewards of effort : you can enjoy a view over 13 departments, between the Rhone valley and the foothills of Provence.
A valuation desired by the territory
Aware of the tourist potential of these two climbs, the Community of communes Rhône Crussol has launched a signposting process called "Mythical climbs". On December 14, 2025, about fifty amateur cyclists took part in an event outing to officially inaugurate the signage on both routes, with the installation of signs indicating the times of the champions at the top of each hill.
This initiative has a clear objective: to transform local roads, hitherto little known to the general public, into destinations in their own right for cycle tourists. As summarized by Damien Pollet, vice-president of the Boucles Drôme-Ardèche, these formerly unknown roads are now used by many cyclists from the Boucles Drôme-Ardèche and the European Championships, helping to discover the heart of the Ardèche territory.
Meet each year at the Faun Ardèche Classic
The Val d'Enfer and the Mur des Royes are not only heritage curiosities: they are also iconic climbs that put cyclists to the test. At the heart of the course of the Faun Ardèche Classic. For its 2026 edition, the 26th of its name, the race starts on 28 February from Guilherand-Granges on a track of 188 kilometers with 3,350 meters of positive elevation gain, directly inspired by the final of the European Championships.
The field faces two mythical climbs, with this year a big novelty: the Val d'Enfer, now climbed four times, and the Mur des Royes, completed by the Mur de Costebelle, a new difficulty in the streets of Saint-Péray to walk twice. What makes the course always more selective and spectacular, under the eyes of a growing audience.
Do you want to work on it ? What you need to know before leaving
You don’t need to be a professional rider to challenge these two climbs : they are open to everyone, all year round, and do not require registration or special equipment. Here are some guidelines to prepare your outing.
The Val d'Enfer :
Departure : in Guilherand village, not far from the church of Sainte-Eulalie
Length : about 1.5 km
Average slope : around 11%, with passages close to 14%
Category : 3rd category (short but sturdy)
The advice of regulars : do not go too hard on the first section at 5%, it is used to set up your breathing rhythm before the steepest passages. The heart of the difficulty is concentrated on the first 800 meters: it’s better to find a comfortable gear at the bottom rather than "exploding" in the middle of the slope.
The Mur des Royes :
Departure : Between Cornas and Châteaubourg at the quarry level, towards Saint-Romain-de-Lerps
Length : about 6.9 km
Average slope : around 7.2%, with passages close to 13%
Category : 3rd Category
Bonus : Once arrived in Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, take the detour to the belvedere: its panoramic 360° view of the surrounding landscapes is well worth a look !
Some practical tips :
When to go ? Spring and autumn remain the most pleasant seasons; in high summer, it is better to climb early in the morning to avoid the heat on these slopes with little shade.
Linking the two climbs ? It’s entirely possible in the same exit, just like the route taken by the Faun Ardèche Classic. Count a loop of several tens of kilometers if you want to connect the two sites through the surrounding villages.
Where to park ? Guilherand-Granges and Cornas have parking facilities easily accessible at the bottom of each climb, convenient for a bike ride (Parking in Cornas on the departmental road)
The "mythical climbs" panels : at the top of each climb, a panel displays the time of the champions (Pogačar at the Mur des Royes, Seixas in the Val d'Enfer). Enough to set a challenge... or simply measure, with a smile, the gap with professionals.
