Col de Saint-Bonnet, Mountain pass in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Col de Saint-Bonnet is a mountain pass in the Monts du Forez located at 731 meters elevation, connecting the communities of Saint-Bonnet-le-Courreau and Saint-Georges-en-Couzan in Loire department. The D101 road crosses over the summit, linking the valleys on either side.
This pass served as a crucial trade route during medieval times, moving goods between the Loire and Rhône valleys. It connected important regional trading centers and facilitated economic exchange across the mountains.
Shepherds still move their flocks through the pass during seasonal migrations, keeping alive traditional herding practices in the Monts du Forez region. This custom ties local communities to the mountain landscape and its natural cycles.
The D101 road remains open throughout the year, providing access to hiking trails and mountain biking routes in the surrounding area. Be prepared for changing weather conditions as mountain weather can shift quickly at this elevation.
From the summit, visitors can see across the Monts du Forez and Loire Valley, with views that mark a natural boundary between different rock formations. This vantage point reveals how the landscape changes dramatically on either side of the pass.
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