The York Mallory site at the start of the Rivier d’Allemont

@willow38 Regarding the aircraft wreckage, I did emphasise that this is a sort of sanctuary, and the presence of these pieces of fuselage and engines is entirely justified. Of course, we must respect them and, above all, must not touch them, move them or take any fragments away.
This is nothing like the 2015 A320 crash in Haute Bléone, where all the wreckage was quite rightly cleared away.

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Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with breathtaking views of the Belledonne massif, though poorly signposted in places. Also, I thought leaving some of the plane wreckage there was a bit of a let-down, as most of it’s quite rusty – in short, it looks a bit like a rubbish tip. Oh well, it’s a memorial, I suppose, but still.

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Yes, it’s normal that my route isn’t open for comments as it hasn’t yet been approved and published by Visorando, so it isn’t really 100 per cent ‘public’. That should be possible in about a fortnight…
I’ll amend my comment about the car park following your remarks.

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@Wingardium I’ve had a look at your route, but I couldn’t add a comment: it really is a lovely circular route you’ve suggested there.
We climbed to the Pas de la Coche in 2005 and 2009, and enjoyed it just as much both times. The ascent is superb and starts halfway up the slope, amidst vast fields of blueberry bushes – absolutely magnificent in late autumn when their foliage turns a vivid shade of red.
I can’t wait to go back and, why not (if I’m feeling fit enough), follow your route linking up with the York Mallory.
As for the car park at the start – the one I mentioned for the hike to York Mallory, next to the Eterlou goat farm – I think it’s more spacious and, above all, deeper than the one you chose. What’s more, if you drive another 100 to 150 metres further up the road, there’s a very good car park on the right, opposite a small power station, which can accommodate large vehicles (vans or motorhomes – though not necessarily for the night, especially as the power station is a bit noisy).

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Yes, I know that leaving the plane wreckage where it is is intended as a memorial to the victims, but it’s still a bit odd! It’s just as well we don’t apply this principle to every car or bus crash… There’d be wrecks all over the roads!
As for the circular route around Lac de la Coche, I’ve created the route and it’s awaiting approval (https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-/151...).

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@Wingardium, it’s a brilliant idea to come from the Pas de la Coche – via the GR, I suppose – it makes for a lovely circular route that will satisfy even the most seasoned walkers.
That said, you really made me laugh when you said the site looks like a rubbish tip! I think you’ve clearly understood that this is a memorial, and that every single piece of aeroplane wreckage has its rightful place here to commemorate the tragedy that claimed the lives of this Second World War hero, his wife and his crew.

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Date of your route : Sep 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is for the descent only, as I arrived at the York-Mallory site from Lac de la Coche.
With a vertical drop of over 700 metres in a single stretch, the descent is particularly gruelling as it’s relentless and at times very steep! I imagine the climb must be no walk in the park either!
The site itself looks a bit like a ‘rubbish tip’ with all those bits of rusty sheet metal and pipes scattered amongst the rocks, but the view of the surrounding mountains is magnificent.

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Date of your route : Dec 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A walk taken on 8 October 2019 on a mild autumn’s day.
The landscape was very colourful at this time of year thanks to the blueberry bushes turning brown...
Steep slopes in places.
A magnificent valley at the summit.
The walk took just over 3 hours there and back for average walkers.

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