Mont Gerbier de Jonc

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I regretted that the country road followed by the hike for a long time in its first part was so noisy... I hadn't come to hear more car noise than I do at home in Paris :-)
The same goes for the climb up Mt Gerbier de Jonc, even though it was in the morning.
I recommend doing this climb at the beginning of the hike rather than at the end. You'll be in better shape!
For the rest of the hike, once you leave the road, the scenery is beautiful but not extraordinary, without many viewpoints. It's true that I did it on a fairly overcast day.
It is easy to lose your way in the first part of the forest.
But I don't regret doing it.

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Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that is somewhat technical. The trail through the rocks is very well marked with frequent blue arrows painted on the rocks. The circular hike is short, but both the ascent and descent are steep, requiring you to use your hands at times to get past certain rocks. There is a handrail with a fairly easy rope at the end of the climb.
I found the descent a little more difficult as you need to use your hands more and avoid getting carried away and slipping on the rocks. There are more handrails and the last one, with a rock that is less rough than the others, is more technical: it is sometimes better to switch to downclimbing mode (descending backwards as if abseiling) for certain passages, particularly for the last handrail where it is essential.
Good high-top walking shoes with grippy soles are essential (trainers are not allowed as you risk slipping and spraining your ankle). In terms of difficulty, I would classify it as difficult rather than average due to its passages and the slope. On the other hand, it is true that it is short. It should not be attempted in wet weather as some of the rocks worn down by passage can become very slippery. In any case, to enjoy the exceptional view at the top, you need clear weather.
It would be a good idea to install some ropes for the descent, and for the last part, some steps carved into the rock (as there are elsewhere) would be useful to make the passage safer.
The route in the opposite direction is easier, but you need to be alone or almost alone so as not to get in the way of those doing it in the normal direction.
Afterwards, you can have a drink and/or a bite to eat in one of the two café-restaurants at the bottom of the walk.

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Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It would be wise to install a few extra ropes for the descent. Thank you.

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Date of your route : Mar 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done on 21 March 2024...
A little snow at the bottom (30 cm) hides the markings, making it difficult to find the path... Walking off the marked path is difficult (holes, rocks, broom...) or even impossible.
We did it in the opposite direction and the climb is steep but the descent is easier...
Inconvenient, the markings are not very visible!

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Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Short but very interesting hike

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Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short but very interesting hike. Follow the arrows carefully on the way up. The descent is sometimes a little steep but passable with a good pair of shoes. Magnificent view from the summit over the Ardèche, Mézenc and the Alps in good weather.

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Classic one-way hike, nothing special

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Date of your route : May 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very short but challenging route for little legs; wear suitable footwear and follow the author's recommendations.

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