Mont Gerbier de Jonc - Sources of the Loire

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Climb the most famous knoll in the Ardèche, which offers a magnificent spectacle from its summit thanks to its 360° panorama of the surrounding volcanic landscape, then cross the River Loire and discover its various sources. 

Details

n°70803281
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 182 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 181 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,550 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,355 m
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Photos

One of the many watercourses that make up the springs.
at the foot of Mont Gerbier de Jonc, view towards the north
Spring
Ferme de la Loire

Description of the walk

Start from the car park alongside the D378.

(S/E) Take the concrete path and head towards the Mont Gerbier de Jonc Visitor Centre. Opposite the centre, take the path that starts on the right and follow it to a fork.

(1) Continue uphill to the right. The path becomes steep and you may need to use your hands on a few short sections. Reach the summit.

(2) After taking in the views, continue straight ahead and begin the descent. As with the ascent, some sections with handrails require you to use your hands.
Once at the bottom of the knoll, the path veers to the right towards a bar/restaurant. Join the road at the corner of the car park.

(3) Cross it carefully and continue along the path opposite. After a pleasant descent through the woods, cross a road (D116) and you’ll soon reach the next one.
Continue along this road, keeping left, until you find a path on the left, a few metres after a small bridge and after entering the woods.

(4) Take the path on the left and follow it with the stream on your left. After ‘crossing’ the Loire, continue along the edge of the field and arrive at a small lake just below one of the river’s sources.

(5) Continue along the path, then follow the road to the left with care to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,414 m - Car park alongside the D378
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 1,428 m - Fork
  3. 2 : km 0.46 - alt. 1,546 m - Mont Gerbier de Jonc
  4. 3 : km 0.87 - alt. 1,413 m - Route
  5. 4 : km 1.89 - alt. 1,356 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 2.71 - alt. 1,403 m - Sources of the - La Loire
  7. S/E : km 3.46 - alt. 1,415 m - Car park alongside the D378

Notes

Warning! The ascent of Mont Gerbier de Jonc may seem straightforward, but it nonetheless requires suitable footwear and a good level of fitness. Some sections are equipped with handrails and you may need to use your hands.

You must walk anti-clockwise on this route to avoid meeting other walkers on this steep path.

Avoid in wet weather, as the rocky sections can become slippery.

This hike is classified as ‘moderate’ due to steep sections.

Sources of the Loire :

Near the (S/E):
- on the edge of the D378, the “authentic” source is marked by a circular paving stone bearing the inscription “La Loire – Touring-club de France” (recalling a previous monument erected in 1938 by the Touring-club).
- in the hamlet, beneath the road, the “geographical” source, the central of the three, flows into a stone trough inside the cowshed of the former “de la Loire” farm, with its slate roof.

(5) The ‘true’ or ‘cadastral’ spring flows in a natural setting and emerges from the ground in a meadow near the Sagnas farm, beneath a slate slab bearing the inscription ‘Here begins my journey towards the Ocean...’, the furthest of the three.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
almati07
almati07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For the springs route, there is no cause for concern, but vigilance is required as snow clearance on the main road and grooming of the cross-country trails partially obscure the trail markings.
For Gerbier, the route is now fully marked, secure and equipped, making it impossible to get lost unless there is heavy snowfall.

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MFCA
MFCA

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

To do in June, a flower festival

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, the author wrote in the introduction:
Caution! Climbing Mont Gerbier de Jonc may seem easy, but it requires good footwear and physical fitness. Some sections are equipped with handrails and you may need to use your hands.
And he is absolutely right.
This mountain is well worth the effort because the uneven steps are tricky to negotiate, but when the weather is good, the view from the top is remarkable. We cheated on the way down because, like many others, we did a round trip.
It should be noted that this climb is very much like a procession.

Hike completed on 10 June by a group of 12 people.

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michem
michem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy and very pleasant walk. Best done outside the tourist season.

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