Stevenson Trail France [M]

Tour Highlights

Key Facts

• Twelve-night tour, with arrivals any day from beg. April to mid-October.
• Self-guided, moderate [M], inn-to-inn hiking.
• Start in Le Puy and finish in St Jean du Gard.
• Luggage transfers throughout.
• Best access is from Lyon via St Etienne, with onward train to Le Puy-en-Velay. Other options exist.

Please click the headings below or scroll down.
1. Theme
2. Model 12-night Stevenson trail
3. Accommodation
4. What's Included
5. Prices

1. Theme

The Stevenson Trail France 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 one of the most epic walking tours in France today - a 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.

Robert Louis Stevenson chose to go hiking in France 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.

Stevenson 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."

Trekking Stevenson Trail France crosses volcanic upland and descends into steep shale valley. It is guaranteed to delight your senses and fits comfortably into a fortnight’s holiday. You will meet hikers from all over the world on this trail and some may remain your trekking buddies for life. If you have never walked a long distance path before, this is your ideal introduction.

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 PRADELLES.13 miles-19.5 kms.

Day 4. PRADELLES to CHEYLARD L’EVEQUE.14.5 miles-21.5 kms.

You descend to Langogne before walking the volcanic plateau to the medieval village of Cheylard, repleat with church, chapel and abbey.

Day 5. CHEYLARD L’EVEQUE to LA BASTIDE. 11 miles-16.5 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 Rest day, with optional hikes

Why not take a short and picturesque hike up to the Notre Dames monastery, where Stevenson spent a few nights, and purchase some of their renowned produce?

Day 7. 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 8. 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.

Day 9. 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 10. FLORAC to CASSAGNAS. 11 miles-16.5 kms.

Spend the morning in fascinating Florac before hiking the steep-sided, red rock Mimente Valley, and past the ruins of the château at St. Julien d¹Arapon, en route to the Camisard stronghold of Cassagnas.

Day 11. CASSAGNAS to ST GERMAIN DE CALBERTE. 8 miles-12 kms.

You walk through Pierre Plantée Pass at 891 ms and past several menhirs and chestnut groves, the traditional staff of life in the Cevennes.

Day 12. ST GERMAIN DE CALBERTE to ST. JEAN DU GARD.13 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 13. End of the Stevenson Trail France.

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?

3. Accommodation

• 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.

• You can split the Stevenson trail into 2 parts:
  i) Trekking the Stevenson trail Part 1, or
  ii) Trekking the Stevenson trail Part 2, or
  iii) Walk The Best of Stevenson
, or
iv) why not walk The Essential Stevenson? Arguably the best 3 days hiking in France!

Click to go to Booking