Massif of Mezenc and Gerbier de Jonc

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Single centre walking
Volcano walking
X-country skiing
Raquette
Winter multi activity

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Single center walking
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Mezenc massif - situation

Activities

In the south-east of the Massif Central and the Auvergne, the Mézenc massif straddles 2 French départements: the Ardèche and the Haute-Loire. It looks different depending on which side of it you are. From one side, one can see high plains dotted with "sucs" (rounded peaks) and traversed by the upper reaches of the river Loire; from the other side, one can see deep valleys formed by the tributaries of the river Rhône.
        Not far away, at the Gerbier de Jonc, is the source of the river Loire.

In these vast expanses with contrasting relief, trekking is naturally the main leisure activity. The massif is also ideal for pony-trekking, mountain-biking and cycle touring (there are many quiet B-roads). Other available activities include paragliding, rock-climbing, via ferrata, nautical activities, etc.
        In winter, the Estables resort offers downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow-kiting, dog-sledging, etc.

Heritage

Click on the vignettes to see the photo.

Mankind used numerous materials from each volcano to build large stone farms with flat paving-stone roofs or small rye or broom-thatched cottages. Many villages still have their bread over and water mill. Several Romanesque churches have also stood the test of time.

Geology

Sight-seeing

In bygone times, the Earth's innards spewed millions of cubic meters of lava that shaped the Mézenc landscape. Although nowadays all is quiet, ramblers or curious tourist can spot countless signs of this turbulent history: hundreds of volcanoes (including Mézenc, which rises to 1753 metres above sea level, Gerbier de Jonc, etc.), crater lakes, cirques, waterfalls, lava flows and even basalt columns.

Natural sites : Sources and gorges of the Loire, Cirque of Les Boutieres, Narces of Chaudeyrolles, Ray-Pic waterfall, Saint-Front lake, lauziere of Lac Bleu...
Museums : Perrel Brothers' thatched farm at Moudeyres, farm of Bourlatier, museum of Bigorre, House of Fin-Gras du Mezenc (AOC beef), Wind school of Saint-Clement...
Historical sites : the town of Puy-en-Velay and its cathedral, a World Heritage Site, abbey of Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (Stevenson Trail departure)...