Home to the watershed between the Loire and Rhône valleys at the Chaubouret Pass (1 363m), the Mont Pilat regional park was created in 1974 and encompasses 47 rural communities. Towards the Rhône, the orchards and vineyards (such as the famous Côte Rôtie) give way to pastures on the plateaux and then to forests at higher altitudes. The cool forests of fir trees, fast-flowing streams and vast meadows are popular with hikers.