The GR 70, also known as the Chemin de Stevenson or the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, is a Grande Randonnée that runs for approximately 225 kilometres/140 miles through the French departments of Haute-Loire, Lozère and Gard in a generally north–south direction from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Saint-Jean-du-Gard. It follows the route taken by the Scottish writer Rober Louis Stevenson 1878 and the subject of his book ‘Travels with a Donkey in Cévennes’.
We offer the walk as a continuous 14 day/13 night journey starting in Le Puy and finishing in St Jean du Gard, with 12 days walking or in two sections : Le Puy to Chasseradeas – 7 nights, 6 days walking and Chasserades to St Jean du Gard – 7 nights, 6 days walking
Price:
7 night tour £795.00 per person, based on 2 people sharing a in double/twin room
£190 Single room supplement
13 night tour £1250 per person, based on 2 people sharing a in double/twin room
£340 Single room supplement
Included:
Not Included:
Departure Dates:
Mid April to mid October
Getting to Le Puy en Velay:
Train station at Le Puy en Velay. Nearest airport St Etienne or Lyons.
Le Puy to Chasseradeas – 7 nights, 6 days walking.
Day 1: Le Puy en Velay 613 m
Arrival at the hotel – dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Le Puy – Le Monastier Sur Gazeille 930 m
This is the first stage, which takes you to Monastier, from where R. L Stevenson began his journey. Leave the built-up area of Le Puy, continue through Coubon, and arrive finally at Le Monastier sur Gazeille. (300m ascent in all). Stage 19 km long; about 4 to 5 hours walk
Day 3: Le Monastier Sur Gazeille– Le Bouchet St Nicolas 1220 m
This stage takes you to Goudet in the valley of the Loire (785 m) passing first through Courmarcès (975m), and St Martin de Fugères (1000m). Then the route goes to Montagnac (950m) and Ussel (1025 m) finally crossing the volcanic plateaus until you arrive at Le Bouchet St Nicolas. Stage 22 km long; about 5 to 6 hours walk
Day 4: Le Bouchet St Nicolas – Langogne 920 m
Pass through Landos (1100 m), Jagonas (1050m), Arquejol (1007m) and Pradelles (1150 m). Stage 22 km long, about 5 to 6 hours walk
Day 5: Langogn – Cheylard L’eveque 1125 m
From Langogne, the route continues to St Flour de Mercoire (1049m); this is a wooded section of the trail. Then it goes down into Cheylard l’Evèque. (Very little ascent) Stage 22 km long; about 4 hours walk
Day 6: Cheylard L’eveque – La Bastide Puylaurent 1024 m
Leave Cheylard, go to Luc (971m), then Rogleton (990m). From here the route goes to the abbey of « Notre Dame des Neiges » (8km off the GR) before going on to La Bastide. The abbey is home to Cistercian monks who produce wine. Stage 19 km long; about 4 to 5 hours walk
Day 7: La Bastide Puylaurent – Chasserades 1150 m
A relatively short stage, allowing for relaxation before your departure the following morning. Stage 12 km long; about 3 hours walk
Day 8: Chasserades
The holiday ends after breakfast or continue on to St Jean if you have booked the full route.
Chasserades to St Jean du Gard – 7 nights, 6 days walking.
Day 1 : Chasserades 1150 m:
Arrive at the hotel dinner and overnight.
Day 2 or 8: Chasserades – Le Bleymard 1069 m 14 km 3 to 4 hours
This is the first of two stages that takes one to the highest point of the Stevenson Trail. Set off first to L’Estampe, at 1160 m, and continue to Le Bleymard.
Day 3 or 9: Le Bleymard – Pont de Montvert 875 m 16 km 4 to 5 hours
The route goes up on to Mont Lozère, a ski station. After this it goes down into the valley to Finiels, which is situated at 1 220 m. Continue until you arrive at Le Pont de Montvert.
Day 4 or 10: Pont de Montvert – Florac 546 m 26 km 7 to 8 hours
This is the longest stage of our journey into the heart of the Cévennes. During this stage the route crosses the pass, the Col du Sapet (1080 m), then it goes down to Bédouès (560 m), before going to Florac. (This is a difficult stage with a lot of uphill and downhill walking). It is possible at way-mark 41 to take a short cut to Florac following another long-distance footpath: the GR 68 (route notes explain). This will take 4km off the total length of this stage.
Day 5 or 11: Florac – Cassagnas 693 m 16 km 4 to 5 hours
This is a relatively short stage but with some ups and downs. It goes first to St Julien d’Arpaon (610m), and then on to the old station of Cassagnas.
Day 6 or 12: Cassagnas – St Etienne Vallee Francaise
This short stage is easier – however, it is still necessary to climb over the Col de la Pierre Plantée at 891 m, before going down into St Germain de Calberte, then St Etienne : 22 km.
Day 7 or 13: St Etienne Vallee Francaise – St Jean du Gard
Finally the last stage takes us to where R.L.STEVENSON ended his journey and sold his donkey. 12 km.
Day 8 or 14: St Jean du Gard
The holiday ends after breakfast.
Sample Hotel list:
Le Puy en Velay : Hôtel Bristol
Le Monastair sur Gazeille: Hotel Le Provence
Le Bouchet St Nicolas Chambres d’hôtes L’Arrestadou
Langogne: Hotel de la Poste
Chasseradès: Hotel des Sources
Le Bleymard: Hotel La Remise
Florac: Hotel des Gorges du Tarn
