 Trek the first half of Stevenson's seminal walking tour in France
Tour Highlights
Key Facts
 1. ThemeStevenson Trail Part One retraces the steps hiked by The Scot from Le Puy to La Bastide Puylaurent across the volcanic Massif Central - a journey of 105 kilometres or around 70 miles. Stevenson chose to go hiking in France in order to get away from a female he thought he could never marry. En route, he found another in the shape of 'Modestine', a trusted female donkey. He loved his creature comforts and wrote of his experience, "to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints. Alas, as we get up in life, and are more preoccupied with our affairs, even a holiday is a thing that must be worked for." Stevenson often slept out under trees in a prototype sleeping bag; whereas you will enjoy good food in comfortable hotels en route as part of one of the top-ten trekking tours in France. Stevenson Trail Part One crosses volcanic upland and descends down steep shale valley. It is guaranteed to delight your senses and fits comfortably into a week’s holiday. If you have never walked here before, this is your ideal introductory walking tour in France. 
2. Model 7-night Trekking the Stevenson trail, Part One
Day 1. LE PUY. Arrival and hotel check-in. A visit to Puy merits a day's stay in itself, so much history is there here to enjoy - get there early! Day 2. Le Monastier to Goudet.
Taxi transfer (20 kms) to Le Monastier, where RLS started his trek. You have had a long journey, so a gentle first day is advisable. Take a good look around Le Monastier for yourself before commencing your descent into the Upper Loire Valley. Night in Goudet. Day 3. Goudet to Le Bouchet St Nicolas.
You climb through charming hamlets and across volcanic plateau, before arriving at Stevenson's next overnight stop. Night in Le Bouchet St Nicolas. Day 4. Le Bouchet St Nicolas to Pradelles. 
It's more gradual and prolonged climbs or descents today as you walk the volcanic plateau en route to the granite 'City of High Prairies'. Night in Pradelles.
Day 5. Pradelles to Langogne. Day 6. Langogne to Cheylard l’Eveque. Day 7. Cheylard l’Eveque to La Bastide. You climb through a forest and have lunch beside a lake, before descending to the fabulous ruins of Luc castle. Then you follow a variant of the medieval Regordane Way. Night in La Bastide. 
Day 8. End of your walking tour in France. A memorable trek has brought you to La Bastide. Return to your starting point by train or head south to Nimes. We hope you will also return to take Part two of this exciting walking tour! Note: a rest-day can be introduced to suit if required. 3. AccommodationYou will stay in five different places en route and a variety of comfortable and welcoming accommodation: hotels, auberges, chambres/tables d'hotes, gites d'etape that are of 'two-star standard.'These are your 7 overnight stops:
1. Le Puy; 2. Goudet 3. Bouchet-St-Nicolas; 4. Pradelles; 5. Langogne;6. Cheylard;7. La Bastide.
¹ You are entitled to take one piece of luggage per person, each weighing up to 16 kgs. Supplements are payable for extra or overweight luggage. 5. Prices 2012Click to go to Booking 
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