The Stevenson Way: The complete trail from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean du Gard.

Arrival at the hotel late in the afternoon, dinner and overnight. Discovering of the city of the Puy en Velay, especially its cathedral.

The first stage that leads to Le Monastier, whence R. L Stevenson set off in September 1878 for 220 km with his donkey Modestine. We leave Le Puy en Velay in a southerly direction (superb views of the Puy basin) in the direction of Coubon, where we will cross the Loire before reaching the town of Le Monastier.

This stage descends into the Gazeille valley, then into the Loire valley to Goudet (785 m) passing Courmarcès (975m), and St Martin de Fugères (1000m). Pretty views of these valleys, then through small hamlets, pastures and crops, arrival at Bouchet St Nicolas (old house on the side of the road with stones decorated with bas-reliefs).

After continuing on a wide path and crossing the Allier, you enter Gévaudan, in Langogne. Here you will have the opportunity to admire the hundred or so capitals housed in a Romanesque church in the Burgundian style. The latter is surrounded by a small town, itself protected by ramparts and five restored towers.

R.L. Stevenson then entered the land of Gévaudan, a harsh land of moors and swamps covered with heather, small groves, birches and granite rocks: passage to St Flour de Mercoire (1049 m), then arrival at the very small village of Cheylard l'Evèque.
It is also possible to stop in Chaudeyrac, which will be 16 km.

At the exit of Le Cheylard, through the national forest of the Gardille, follow the direction of Luc (971 m) where the ruins of a castle remain, former guardian of the Régordane path (pilgrimage route of Saint Gilles). Then we went to Rogleton (990m), then to "Notre Dame des Neiges": Abbey (Stevenson spent three days there!) where Cistercian monks live who produce wine (outside the GR at 8 Km), before heading towards La Bastide.
Stage of 26.5 km taking the GR 70 variant, about 6 hours of walking If you stop in Chaudeyrac, it will be 30.5 km still taking the GR 70 variant. Possibility to reduce this step, consult us.

A relatively short stage, still through this beautiful national forest of the Gardille, climb to the summit of the Mourade (1308 m): view of the plateau, then descent to Chabalier and Chasseradès. End of the stay after the hike.

After the hamlet of l'Estampe, climb through the national forest of Le Goulet to a pass at 1413m. After the track that descends to the source of the Lot, we reach the Alpiers, then the Bleymard, a small village at the foot of Mont Lozère.

In the direction of the Col Santel (1200 m), climb to the Mont Lozère resort, then to the summit of Finiels (1699 m), the highest peak in the department, along high granite mountains (heaps of stones indicating the path, which R.L.Stevenson followed): magnificent views of the Cévennes if the weather permits!! Then descend to Pont de Montvert through broom and pastures, a village symbolic of the history of the Camisards!!

The longest stage of the route, but one of the most beautiful! It will take us to the heart of the Cévennes. After the Col du Sapet located at 1080 m, you join a long track, and through the national forest of Ramponenche, you descend to Bedoues, then Florac, the capital of the Cévennes, a pretty town very lively in summer!!

Relatively short stage where you follow the old railway line which has become a very pretty grassy path after St Julien d'Arpaon (610 m). You then overlook the Mimente gorges, as far as the old Cassagnas station.

Note: in Cassagnas, it is often complicated to find availability because it is a "funnel" village on the way and the capacity is very limited... Thus, it is possible that we will be forced to book 2 consecutive nights in Florac (or the night in St Julien d'Arpaon) with organized transfers. In this case, you will be asked for an additional fee and invoiced. Another alternative is to stop off the GR70, but via the GR 43 at Barre des Cévennes.

Through beautiful chestnut forests, we head towards the Col de la Pierre Plantée at 891 m, before descending to St Etienne. This village is located on a schist land crossed by one of the Gardons where chestnut trees were grown and silkworms were educated, where pelardons are produced and houses with Lauzes roofs and schist walls. You will be able to contemplate the parish church of Saint-Étienne dating from the fourteenth century.

This is the last step that leads to where R. L. STEVENSON ended his journey and sold his donkey Modestine. Crossing the village of St Etienne in the French Valley in the land of the Camisards (255 m), passing the Col de St Pierre (596 m), then arriving in St Jean du Gard, a small southern town, land of vines and mulberry trees!

End of stay after breakfast.