Suc de Sara, Mountain summit in Ardèche, France

Suc de Sara is a mountain summit in Ardèche that rises to 1521 meters with steep slopes featuring dense forest and natural rock formations. The narrow crest at the top provides views across the surrounding plateau landscape and the valleys below.

Suc de Sara is the eroded remnant of an underground volcano active 6 to 8 million years ago. Magma rose slowly through faults in the Hercynian granite, turning basaltic into silica-poor phonolite rich in nepheline, then the roof of the chamber collapsed. Erosion by the Eysse to the north exposed a ring-dyke about 2,500 m across and 150 m thick, with tinguaite on its edges.

The name "suc" refers to the peak's piton shape, a term used in the Massif central for such volcanic necks. The phonolite here, called tinguaite, appears in a ring-dyke about 2,500 m across and 150 m thick, exposed by erosion of the Eysse to the north. Nearby stand the rocher des Pradoux and the suc de Touron.

The ascent starts from the D215 road between Saint-Martial and Borée, where a small parking area is available. The terrain is steep, so sturdy footwear and some stamina are needed for this hike.

The summit is the eroded remnant of an underground volcano active 6 to 8 million years ago; no dome or lava flow survives. Erosion by the Eysse, which curves around the north side, exposed a crescent-shaped ring-dyke 2,500 m across and 150 m thick, made of silica-poor phonolite rich in nepheline, with the rare rock tinguaite at its edges.