With its extinct volcanoes, its lush valleys and its waterfalls cascading and winding down the cliffs, the Ardèche is a true natural treasure for travellers. Among its many wonders, one deserves special attention: the Mont Gerbier de Jonc and its unique silhouette. Spending your holiday at a campsite in the Ardèche near the Mont Gerbier de Jonc is the perfect opportunity to discover this geological curiosity.
The exceptional nature of the Mont Gerbier de Jonc
Nestled in the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Nature Park, the Mont Gerbier de Jonc offers an invigorating excursion through some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes. The Mont Gerbier, as it’s known for short, rises to 1,551 metres and is instantly recognisable thanks to its almost perfectly conical shape. With its base and immediate surroundings particularly open, it offers superb panoramic views over the Ardèche.
If the Mont Gerbier de Jonc is so legendary in the eyes of locals, it’s also because it is home to another curiosity: the source of the Loire. It’s at its foot that France’s longest river begins its wild journey of more than a thousand kilometres to the Atlantic Ocean. Visiting the Mont Gerbier de Jonc during your luxury camping holiday in the Ardèche is a unique journey into the geological and hydrographic history of the Ardèche, and even of France.
Hikes and walks around the Mont Gerbier de Jonc
While the Mont Gerbier de Jonc is worth the trip in its own right, the surrounding countryside also has plenty going for it. On foot or by mountain bike, here are our three favourite outings to discover the area around the Mont Gerbier de Jonc:
- Three mountains loop: from the Mont Gerbier to the Mont d’Alambre, via the Mont Mézenc, a hike of around twelve kilometres to meet these three giants of the Ardèche.
- Sources of the Loire loop: a hike well suited to beginners, leading you along well-marked trails from the foot of the Mont Gerbier de Jonc to the source of the Loire.
- Mountain bike loop around the Mont Gerbier: for cyclists, a ride through the great outdoors combining forest trails and mountainside tracks. As a bonus, it offers magnificent viewpoints over the region.
Outdoor activities around the Mont Gerbier de Jonc
As well as lovely walks around the Mont Gerbier, the surrounding area is packed with outdoor activities. Here’s a quick overview of the adventures that await you:
Canoeing and kayaking on the Eyrieux: discover the inimitable silhouette of the Mont Gerbier de Jonc from the Eyrieux river. With so many waterways, it’s also a brilliant way to discover the Ardèche’s other tourist attractions.
- Climbing in the Mézenc: gain some height on the rock faces of the Mézenc massif. Many clubs even offer taster sessions if you’re a beginner.
- Horse riding: for nature lovers, it’s a calm and soothing way to discover the surroundings of the Mont Gerbier de Jonc. Various riding centres offer outings suited to all levels.
