Trekking the Régordane Way

1. Theme

The Regordane is the mystical section of the French 'Royal Route' connecting Paris to Lower Languedoc and is part of the St Gilles Way. It runs from north of Luc to Alès, the gateway to The Cevennes, a distance of 100 kilometres or 68 miles.

You walk the high volcanic plateau of Lozere, and the schist slopes of the Céze Valley, before arriving in the the dry, stony and flatter surfaces of the Mediterranean Garrigue. Arrival in Alès signals the end of a short voyage of discovery and fills you with an abiding sense of acheivement at having joined the small band of Regordanophiles who have followed in the footsteps of four French Kings, one archbishop and untold numbers of pilgrims and mule drivers.

You follow the 'original' route taken by the trail, avoiding mythical deviations dreamt up by local tourist departments. Your experience is authentic, aimed at those who want no compromise.

• Visit Regordane Info, the independent portal for The Régordane Way in France.

• Read our background article on The Regordane entitled,
  The Régordane Way.

• For other self-guided, inn-to-inn and long distance hiking vacations in France, see:


Trekking the Stevenson Trail
Trekking the French Religious Wars

Day 1. Arrival in Alès.

Your hotel is the best there is in this attractive market town, rich in Protestant history.Night in Alès.

Day 2. Hike from Langogne to Pradelles. Options from 7 miles-11 kms.

Morning train to Langogne, home to the 'beast of Gevaudan'. You hike a circular trail to the nearby medieval and picturesque cité of Pradelles.
Night in Langogne.

Day 3. Hike from Langogne to La Bastide.16.5 miles-25 kms.

Day 4. Hike from La Bastide to Villefort.14 miles-21 kms.

Hike the volcanic plateau to a medieval village on the Chaussezac gorge and then onto Lake Villefort. This is trekking at its best and a day that will remain in your hiking memory for ever.

Day 5. Hike from Villefort to Genholac. 11 miles-15 kms.

There's the chance to visit a clifftop chapel, subject of its own pilgrimage, before you enter the Gard via the villages at the foot of Mont Lozere, pass the source of the River Ceze and visit typical linear settlements en route with their unique Roman churches.

Day 6. Hike from Genholac to Portes. 11.75 miles-17 kms.

Trek from the Huguenot stronghold through the countryside of the Cevennes' most famous writer, J-P Chabrol. The site of Portes Castle is an impressive reminder of its strategic position as the northern gateway to The Cevennes.

Day 7. Hike from Portes to Alès. 14.5 miles-22 kms.

You descend over 400 metres along the watershed between the Ceze and the Gardon valleys, through villages and hamlets to the former 'industrial heartland' of The Cevennes, Alès.

Day 8. End of Tour.

A memorable trek has brought you to Alès, where options abound for further learning and recreation. Nimes is 40 minutes away.

Note: We reserve the right to alter parts of the above programme.

These are your 7 overnight stops and you need to stay in each one for at least one night:
1. Alès;
2. Langogne;
3. La Bastide;
4. Villefort;
5. Genholac;
6. Portes;
7. Alès

• 7 nights B & B, plus 6 picnic lunches, 5 evening meals and local hotel taxes;
• Pre-tour briefing and post-tour de-briefing;

• Train from Alès to start of tour;
• All luggage transfers and transport integral to the programmme;
• Hiking Insight Notes™ that make map reading redundant*;
• Themed vacation dossier;
• Comprehensive travel notes & logistical information;
• Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup;
• Loan of mobile phone where required for American customers only;
• Option to leave your car in secure parking in Ales and collect it upon your return.*
  * Cars are left at owners risk.

  Special Offer for all bookings taken before 30 September 2008:
  Free Extra Day's hiking to the Pont du Gard with a tour guide.

  This Special Offer is subject to the following conditions:
  i. The availability of the guide - otherwise, a self-guided option is available;
  ii. A maximum number of 4 beneficiaries in any group booking.
  iii. There is no monetary value to this offer outside of the context of this promotion.
  iv. No accommodation or food forms part of this offer, although we are happy to reserve your hotel for your eighth night, which would be as near to Le Pont du Gard as possible;
  v. There is no payment for the volunteer guide, who is in no way responsible for your health and safety;
  vi. Full payment must accompany the booking.

  5. Prices 2008

• Price per person based on 2 persons sharing:

£645.00 or €850.00 or $1215.00
• Single person rate:

£745.00 or €950.00 or $ 1395.00

Click to go to Booking and Costs