France - Cevennes - Stevenson trail from Chasserades to Saint Jean du Gard- 8 days.
Self-guided hiking tour in Southern France to Saint Jean du Gard - On the footsteps of the 19th century writer R L Stevenson
This Robert Louis Stevenson trail is a linear long distance walk through the Velay mounts, Gevaudan and Cevennes regions of Southern France. It is also known as the GR70.
While walking southwards the landscape is evolving each day and crosses Pont de Montvert and Florac on the edges of the Tarn Gorge.
This second part is an immersion into the famous Cevennes Park area and the Lozere Mount in the Gard department. It is a bit more challenging than the first part.
Day 1
CHASSERADES
Day 2
CHASSERADES to LE BLEYMARD 17 km – 4h00 of walking + 465 m / - 525 m Half board and overnight in 2 star hotel This stage crosses the eroded plateau called the Goulet Mountain a place where lots of streams spring out and particularly the Lot River hidden in a softwood forest. Before heading towards the Bleymard, take the time to enjoy the views over the barren lands of Mont Lozere.
Day 3
LE BLEYMARD to LE PONT-DE-MONTVERT 18 km – 5h00 ok walking + 630 m / - 825 m Half board and overnight in 2 star hotel The footpath leads you to the highest point of the trip, the Mont Lozere which is a Summer pasture mountain at an altitude of 1699 m. Step into the sheep-track called the “drailles” used by the shepherds during the transhumance and enjoy the panoramic point of view over the Gevaudan area Northwards, the Tarn Gorges Westward, the Alps Eastward and the Cevennes and the Aigoual Mount Southwards . At the end of the day you start the descent to the peaceful Pont-de-Montvert.
Day 4
LE PONT-DE-MONTVERT to FLORAC 28 or 23 km -7 or 8h00 of walking + 690m / - 940 m Half board and overnight in 2 star hotel This is one of the most scenic part of the entire journey. Much of the route follows a high ridge with views of the wooded hillsides and deep cut valleys of the Cevennes. Here you are in the “Camisard Land” where the Religions War between the Protestant and the Catholic took place.
Day 5
FLORAC to CASSAGNAS 16 km - 4h00 of walking + 325 m / - 180 m Half board and overnight in a Guest House Follow the River Mimente and the ancient railway through the chestnut tree forest. The woodland area leads to Cassagnas where you will spend the night in a house which was a former train station.
Day 6
CASSAGNAS to SAINT-GERMAIN-DE-CALBERTE 16 km - 4h00 of walking + 320 m / - 525 m Half board and overnight in 2 star hotel This walking day is an immersion into the dark schist of the Cevennes combined with green and flowered vegetation in Spring. While you climb up to Plan de Fontmort, brooklets, birds’song, yellow broom and mauve heather are your hikers’companions
Day 7
SAINT GERMAIN DE CALBERTE to SAINT-JEAN-DU-GARD 21 km – 7h00 of walking + 490 m / - 790 m Half board and overnight in 2 star hotel This last hiking stage up on range of hills called Corniche des Cévennes leads to Saint Jean du Gard. The Southern city contrasts with the previous stages, here the landscape changes into mulberry-trees and vineyards.
Day 8
SAINT-JEAN-DU-GARD end of the tour after breakfast
Included : (see details in Dates and prices section) :
2 and 3 star hotels and guesthouses, Half Board. (breakfasts + dinners)
with or without Luggage transfer
An English road book and a map.
English Phone Assistance
Secure online payment
Reserve : click on Dates and Prices
Starts in :Chasserades
Ends in :Saint Jean du Gard
Easy travel back to Le Puy en Velay or another point on the itinerary with a shuttle
other options on the Stevenson Trail :
14 days/13 nights from Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean du Gard.
1 250 € per person with luggage transfer IN DOUBLE ROOM
1 650 € per person with luggage transfer IN SINGLE ROOM
From Le Puy en Velay to Chasserades : 8 days / 7 nights :
from 690 € per person with luggage transfer IN DOUBLE ROOM
890 € per person with luggage transfer IN SINGLE ROOM
Highlights
The National Park of the Cevennes
the Mount Lozere
Pont de Montvert and St Jean du Gard.