Monday, June 03, 2019

Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc - source of the Loire

This long Ascension Weekend we took a day trip to Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc, about 150 km down South from where we live. It is the better known as the source of the river Loire. It is a volcanic mountain. It looks up close like a big heap of broken rock. It is a popular destination, I suppose, because of its nice cup shape.

It takes about an hour to climb. There is a marked route to scramble up the rocks and pieces of stout cord to hold on to where you might slip. Lovely view of the surrounding  Ardèche countryside from the top.




Nice Café at the bottom where you can have coffee or panaché (beer & lemonade) after the climb and take another dekko at the hill. 
The drive alone is worth the effort. You go through some lovely  Ardèche countryside as you drive down from Lyon through criss-crossing country roads. GPS essential, otherwise you can easily get lost.