Key Facts
1. Theme
Robert Louis Stevenson chose this hiking trail across the Cevennes 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." The Trekking the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail hiking tour retraces the steps taken by The Scot from Le Puy en route to St Jean, across four departments from the south of the Massif Central to the steep slopes of The Cevenol Valleys. Arrival in St Jean du Gard signals the end of an epic journey of around 140 miles (225km) . You will never forget the memories and retain that abiding sense of achievement at having trekked the route of one of Scotland's greatest authors. As someone who loves the buzz of hiking a memorable inn-to-inn trekking tour, this Cevennes trail across volcanic upland and down steep shale valley is guaranteed to delight your senses. It is not a particularly demanding walk in terms of difficulty of terrain or the lengths of each walk and fits comfortably into a fortnight’s holiday. If you have never walked a long distance path before, this is your ideal introduction. Click to read our background article on Robert Louis Stevenson Click here to read Travels with a donkey in the Cevennes. Read our article on The Cévennes.  2. Model 10-night Trekking the Robert Louis Stevenson trail hiking tour
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 PUY EN VELAY to LE BOUCHET ST NICOLAS. 14.5 miles-22 kms Taxi transfer (20 kms) to LE MONASTIER and the start of the trail. After a short descent into the Loire Valley, you climb over 400 metres, through charming hamlets and across volcanic plateau before arriving at Stevenson's first overnight stop. Day 3. LE BOUCHET ST NICOLAS to LANGOGNE.16 miles-25 kms. Very little climbs or descents today as you walk the volcanic plateau en route to the granite 'City of High Prairies' before descending to Langogne.Day 4. LANGOGNE to CHEYLARD L’EVEQUE.10.5 miles-16 kms. You walk the volcanic plateau to the medieval village of Cheylard, repleat with church, chapel and abbey. Day 5. CHEYLARD L’EVEQUE to LA BASTIDE. 16 miles-23.5 kms. A slight descent of 100 ms takes you through Luc and along an ancient Roman trail, that many confuse with the Regordane Way! 
Day 6. LA BASTIDE PUYLAURENT to LE BLEYMARD.17 miles-26 kms You climb to the highest point of the walking tour so far, cross the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and head down valley to picture-postcard Chasseradès. Then you enter the Cevennes proper, with some great views and the chance to see the source of the Lot River. Day 7. LE BLEYMARD to PONT DE MONTVERT. 12 miles-18 kms. An early start is advised for this memorable walk across Mont Lozere, with the option to climb Le Pic de Finiels (1699 ms). Then descend to Le Pont de Montvert and Camisard Country. If you want an interesting rest day, this (or Florac) is your place. Day 8. PONT DE MONTVERT to FLORAC. 17.5 miles-26 kms. The longest and most challenging day of the tour is blessed with some memorable views over the heart of the Cevennes. Day 9. FLORAC to ST GERMAIN DE CALBERTE. 15 miles-24 kms. You enter the steep-sided, red rock Mimente Valley, and past the ruins of the château at St. Julien d¹Arapon, en route to the hamlet of Cassagnas, Camisard stronghold. You then pass through Pierre Plantée Pass at 891 ms and past several menhirs and chestnut groves, the traditional staff of life in the Cevennes. 
Day 10. ST GERMAIN DE CALBERTE to ST. JEAN DU GARD.14 miles-21 kms. A memorable last-day's trek that has you walking the Corniche des Cevennes and climbing to a 360 degree vantage point for those last-gasp photos. Day 11. End of Tour. A memorable trek has brought you to St Jean, where you may wish to stay an extra night and enjoy some of the delights of this busy market town, with castle, museums and plenty of cafes and restaurants. Or simply relax by the heated outdoor pool? Note: We reserve the right to alter parts of the above programme. 3. Accommodations
You will stay in 10 different hotels and auberges/chambres/tables d'hotes en route: • Eight 2-star character hotels with restaurants; one 3-star Auberge one 2-star guest house.
All accommodations have en-suite facilities and two have outdoor swimming pools. Note: we reserve the right to slighty alter the above, depending on availability, whilst maintaining the same general quality level of accommodation.We have included the minimum number of meals necessary to maximize your freedom whilst providing the level of service you would expect. That means eight picnic lunches and eight evening meals, leaving you free to choose on the remaining occasions, because your starting or finishing point affords you options. These are your 10 overnight stops: 1. Le Puy;
2. Bouchet-St-Nicolas; 3. Langogne;4. Cheylard;5. La Bastide;6. Bleymard;7. Le Pont de Montvert;8. Florac;9. St Germain.10. St Jean.
4. What's Included
¹ One piece of luggage per person up to 15 kgs. Supplements apply for more or heavier luggage. * Cars are left at owners risk. Special Offer for all bookings taken before 31 August 2008:
This Special Offer is subject to the following conditions: 5. Prices 2008Click to go to Booking and Costs 
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