Mount Gerbier de Jonc (1551 m), around it and up it

This trail goes around and climbs up the Gerbier de Jonc whose summit offers a view over the Ardèche mountains.

Technical sheet

4098799
A Sainte-Eulalie walk posted on 28/06/12 by LB_Neil. Last update : 15/09/20
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.77 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 626 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 620 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,498 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 964 m
Mont Gerbier de Jonc

Description

Start at the Mount Gerbier de Jonc car park at its base on the D378.

(S/F) Take the D378 towards Estables (north-west). A first shortcut heads away from the road at Eschaffis leading to “Confitures de Nicole”, before leading back to it.

Follow the road to Accès des Princes. After the forestry building (2) take a second shortcut on the right of the road at the end of the car park (covered picnic table) on the way up a ravined embankment and then along the beech forest edge. Return to the road and follow it to the right for 15 m.

(3) Leave the road to follow the path on the right. 80 metres from the road ignore the path that goes downhill to the right to follow the path that goes left. Walk along a flat section to a crossroads of two lumber haulage roads (4) near the 1360 marker on the map. From there turn tight on a path that makes several turns and which "plummets" gently between the forest and beech woods.

The descent continues and meets a path at the edge of the forest leading to the Maison de Bourgès on the left (5) (a signpost nearby). Don't turn left towards the ruins, but go right for 20 m to reach the discovery trail of the Tour du Gerbier. After two streams (6), the trail becomes less steep and joins a track in the hamlet of Ribalasse (7), where there are farms typical of the area.

Leaving the hamlet taking a track to the left. Follow it for 1 km. Take a bridge (8) over the Pradal stream follow this track to reach the hamlet of Pradal.

At the intersection (9), turn right on the road above the houses. It continues along a wide forest road that rises gradually along a long stretch through the forest, during which there will only be a few glimpses of the Gerbier de Jonc and always backlit.

Stay on this long forest road to a branch in the route (10) shortly before the D237 (station 11 post marker). Veer right on a trail above the forest path. It curves to the left and takes you through the broom, before reaching an open area (overlooking the Gerbier de Jonc).

Reach the crossroads between the D237 and the D378 (11). Turn right and go past the huge car park. Take the Gerbier de Jonc trail to the south-east of the mountain, climb to the top (12), and then down to the south-west to reach the car park. (S/F)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,416 m
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 1,383 m - "Confitures de Nicole" food break for food lovers
  3. 2 : km 1.79 - alt. 1,359 m - Covered picnic table
  4. 3 : km 2.46 - alt. 1,380 m - Crossroads of the D378 and a path to the right
  5. 4 : km 3.49 - alt. 1,356 m - Crossroads of two logging trails
  6. 5 : km 4.21 - alt. 1,255 m - Ruins of the Maison de Bourgès
  7. 6 : km 4.56 - alt. 1,161 m - Two small streams (depending on the season
  8. 7 : km 5.04 - alt. 1,096 m - The hamlet of Ribalasse
  9. 8 : km 6.25 - alt. 971 m - Bridge over the Pradal river
  10. 9 : km 6.56 - alt. 976 m - Hamlet of Pradal
  11. 10 : km 13.01 - alt. 1,341 m - Fork just before the D237
  12. 11 : km 14.21 - alt. 1,412 m - Junction of the D237 and the D378
  13. 12 : km 15.39 - alt. 1,497 m - Summet of the Gerbier de Jonc - Mont Gerbier de Jonc
  14. S/E : km 15.77 - alt. 1,417 m

Useful Information

  • This route may be perceived as monotonous as it largely follows a long forest track (between points (7) and (10)).
  • Steep descent between points (5) and (6). Wear a good pair of ankle boots to avoid slipping (there are several slippery slabs) and even think to bring telescopic poles for an easier descent.
  • Access to the summit of the Gerbier de Jonc is now free.
  • Even though the ascent, marked with blue arrows, seems short, it is between 1417 and 1551 m above sea level, and is in steep contrast. The descent is via another steep path, also marked with blue arrows. The loop leading up Gerbier de Jonc is to be followed in the anti-clockwise direction.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • Magnificent panoramic view at the top of Gerbier de Jonc. Best in good weather to enjoy an unobstructed view (see photos).
  • The sources of the Loire (nearby)
  • Mount Mézenc
  • The town of Borée
  • The glacial cirque of Boutières
  • Nicole’s jams (Les Echaffis) is located 600 metres from Mount Gerbier where Nicole Chapus sells excellent jams with amazing fragrances, country honey and various local aperitifs and liqueurs.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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