Tour Highlights
Key Facts
1. Theme
Walks in Cevennes deserves to be high on your hiking wish list. Topographically, Cevennes is an area of extraordinary diversity; whilst in human terms, it offers a fascinating journey from megalithic to modern times. It's tale is one of man’s enduring capacity to innovate, destroy and yet survive. At a time when we are witnessing a back-to-nature movement, here is one of the best preserved of French territories and an oasis of hidden life. Hiking Cevennes is characterised by steep slopes and narrow valleys, it has never been a homogenous administrative or geographical space, yet has a strong self-identity that touches universal themes: a) The Spirit of Freedom and the championing of The Rights of Man–offering refuge from oppression for Protestant, Spanish, Republican, Jew, French Resistance Fighter and Hippy.b) The struggle for self sufficiency against ineluctable economic forces – the birth and decline of ways of life due to pestilence, competition and ‘progress’ and countryside exodus, followed by tentative re-settlement by those wishing to preserve ancient crafts or seeking an alternative, organic future. c) Man’s struggle to master nature – dams, irrigated terraces and aqueducts are testimony to man’s structuring of his environment to both protect himself from the ravages of water and capture it for his needs.Walks in Cevennes offer a fascinating and multi-thematic hiking tour in France’s last undiscovered ‘Region’. 
2. Model 6-night tour: Walks in France's Cevennes
Day 1. Gateway to The Cévennes. Arrival and hotel check-in in Alès. Visit to this modern and attractive market town. Tour briefing at hotel and night in Alès. Day 2. Montclar Pass. 10 miles -15 kms, with shorter option. Short train ride to Génolhac and a hike in the heart of Huguenot country. After a criss-cross of a climb up an ancient drovers' trail, you reach a picturesque plateau, a scenic pass and, for the brave, a short, steep climb that will reward you with views no camera can reproduce. Second night in Alès. Day 3. Cevennes Panorama. 12 miles-18 kms. 
The day starts with a taxi transfer to the start of the trail. You walk across the mountain crest with outstanding views eastwards over the entire Garrigue as far as Mont Ventoux in Provence and beyond to the Alps; northwards to Mont Lozere, south-westwards to Mont Aigoual and southwards to Pic St Loup and the Mediterranean. You can also visit a Protestant museum en route. Night near Anduze. Day 4. La Fage. 9.5 miles-14.5 kms Short transfer after breakfast. Great views continue today, with more hill-crest walking and an orientation table with spectacular views south westwards to Mount Aigoule. Descending into the valley, you see chestnut groves and a working farm before arriving at the Grotte des Camisards and the Pont des Camisards. Night near Anduze. Day 5. Mialet to St Jean du Gard. 6 miles-9.5 kms [light] or 11.5 miles -18 km [moderate] options. 
Today you have two walk choices: walk only the morning, along the Gardon Valley and follow the GR 61 to St Jean, or head south along crete and past dolmen and grotto. There's plenty to do in the afternoon: steam train to nearby Anduze, museum of Cevennes culture, castle, cafes and restaurants...not to mention the heated out-door swimming pool.
Night in St Jean du Gard.
Day 6. Corniche des Cevennes. 10 miles-15kms. The grande finale of the week: climb an ancient drovers' trail, walked by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1878, to a memorable 360 degree panorama. Night in St Jean du Gard. Day 7. End of your Cevennes tour. Breakfast and transfer back to Alès. Au revoir et à bientôt. Note: as part of our policy of continual review and improvement, we reserve the right to make alterations to our walking tours in France. 
3. AccommodationYou stay in three different places/hotels en route. They are: 1. Alès - two nights; 2. Near Anduze - two nights; 3. St Jean du Gard - two nights; Accommodation is in one fine 3-star hotel and two comfortable two-star hotels, two of which have out-door swimming pools (May to September) and are featured in photos 3 and 5 on our Accommodation Page. 4. What's Included
5. Prices 2012Read our article on The Cévennes. Useful background information on The Cévennes National Park can be found here. For a 4-night walking tour in France of the same theme, see Magnificent Cévennes If you like train journeys, see our alternative approach to hiking the Cevennes, Walks in France by Train. Click to go to Booking 
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