The cols of the Crêtes du Forez (road circuit no. 31)

You have probably heard of the Col de Béal, our Forez “giant”... To tell the truth, climbing it is not too hard for anyone who is well trained. Where things get complicated is when the weather is very bad: the temperature drops very quickly up there... And the wind, often present, makes the cold feel worse! On the other hand, in good weather, the climb from the village of Le Brugeron offers beautiful panoramas, and from this side the Béal is very easy, since you will cross it going downhill... After passing the little-known Pas de la Croix, lost in the middle of the Hautes-Chaumes. A little later, you will tackle the Col du Chansert, fairly shaded. A long descent across the Dore valley will let you recover before going to “bag” the Col de Toutée, in the Haut-Livradois. The first part of its climb is hard, not to mention that this col has absolutely no shade! Good luck.