Key Facts
1. Theme
The Saint-Gilles Way is the forgotten medieval pilgrimage route that runs from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Gilles-du-Gard in the Camargue, a total distance of 211 kilometres or 140 miles.This 'best of' hiking vacation takes you from Le Puy to Ales, the most interesting section of this historic trekking trail, thus avoiding the long and monotonous stretch through the Mediterranean garrigue, where the original path has long disappeared. You thus hike high volcanic plateau, the schist slopes of the Céze Valley and the foothills of the Cevennes; through medieval villages and linear settlements, a distance of nearly 140 kilometres, or just obver 90 miles and through twelve centuries of history. Trekking the Saint-Gilles Way accurately traces the path that pilgrims, traders and armies, not to mention the Reformation, would have followed en route to Lower Languedoc, St Gilles and beyond. It is an authentic experience designed for those who wish to hike, as far as is possible, the original path.
Why not walk the entire length of The Saint-Gilles Way? It can be done in 13 days, although we recommend two rest days en route. Please ask us for details and a quote based on your requirements. 2. Model 8-night Trekking the Saint-Gilles Way
Day 1. Le Puy. Arrival and hotel check-in. A visit to Le Puy merits a day's stay itself, so much history is there here to enjoy. Night in Le Puy. Day 2. Le Puy to Costaros. 13 miles-19 kms. Climb to over 1100 metres through a series of hamlets and nine centuries of history. Night near Costaros. Day 3. Costaros to Pradelles. 12 miles-18 kms Climb to over 1200 metres before descending through countryside where the Knights of the Templars were active in the 13th century before joining Stevenson's GR 70. Night in Pradelles. Day 4. Pradelles to La Bastide.16.5 miles-25 kms. Two historically-sound routes exist for today's trek, according to the weather and your preferences. This is the longest and most demanding of the days, which you can split into two on demand. Night in La Bastide.Day 5. La Bastide to Villefort.14 miles-21 kms. You walk the volcanic plateau to a medieval village on the Chaussezac gorge and then onto Lake Villefort.Night near Villefort. Day 6. 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, see the source of the River Ceze and visit typical linear settlements en route with their unique Roman churches. Night in Genolhac. Day 7. Genolhac to Portes. 11.75 miles-17 kms. March from the Huguenot stronghold through the countryside of the Cevennes' most famous writer, J-P Chabrol. The Chamborigaud viaduct is impressive and the site of Portes Castle a reminder of its strategic position as the northern gateway to The Cevennes.Night near Portes. Day 8. 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 industrial heartland of The Cevennes, Alès. Night in Alès. Day 9. End of Tour. 
A memorable trek has brought you to Alès, from where you depart on your onward journey to Nimes or Montpellier. If you want to visit St-Gilles Abbey, a UNESCO heritage site and resting place of St-Gilles-Aegidius, ask us for details. Note: We reserve the right to alter parts of the above programme. 3. AccommodationsYou stay in 8 different places en route and a variety of accommodation options: six 2-star hotels, one 3-star auberge and one 2-star chambres/tables d'hotes.These are your 8 overnight stops: 1. Le Puy; 2. Costaros; 3. Pradelles; 4. La Bastide; 5. Villefort; 6. Genholac; 7. Portes; 8. Alès. 
4. What's Included
* Cars are left at owners risk.
5. Prices 2008Click to go to Booking and Costs 
|
||