Roche d'Ajoux, Mountain summit in Poule-les-Écharmeaux, France.
Roche d'Ajoux is a mountain summit in the Beaujolais range of the Rhône department standing at 970 meters high. Dark volcanic rock forms the distinctive peak from which views extend across multiple surrounding mountain chains.
The location shows archaeological traces of a Celtic sacred site with a temple dedicated to Jupiter, from which the name originates. The name Roche d'Ajoux derives from ara jovis, the Latin term for Jupiter's altar that once stood at this hilltop.
The summit marks a natural boundary between drainage basins flowing toward the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in the Beaujolais region. Visitors climb here to experience this invisible divide and understand the watershed that shapes water flow across the landscape.
Access to the summit comes through a marked trail network starting from the Les Écharmeaux parking area, following the GR7 hiking path. The route is clearly marked and manageable for hikers of varying experience, with ascent and descent times changing based on individual fitness levels.
The black volcanic rock forming the summit originated 330 million years ago during continental collision that triggered major magma flows. This ancient geology sets the formation apart from other Beaujolais peaks and reveals the region's dynamic past.
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