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  • Stevenson 
  • France 

The Route of Stevenson, Second part

From Chasseradès to St Jean du Gard

From
555€/person

Presentation of your trip

Depart from Chasseradès, in the Lozère, and follow the second part of the journey of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine, who hiked this route in 1878.

This second stage of the Route of Stevenson will transport you through the Cévennes, crossing Mont Lizère (1699m), Bougès (1421m), the Mimente valley and across moors, forests and fields.

This trip is also an opportunity to discover and gain an understanding of the history of the Camisards, via emblematic French Protestant villages (Pont-de-Monvert, Florac, St Germain de Calberte, etc.).

Like Robert Louis Stevenson, you will finish your hike in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, the regional capital of the Camisards.

  • DestinationStevenson, France
  • TypeFree
  • Length of trip7 days and 6 nights
  • ActivitiesHiking
  • Physical level

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.
Description of the tripProgramTravel conditionsDates and price

Trip details

Highlights

  • Well-balanced stages
  • Carefully selected accommodation

Complementary informations

  • Self-guided circuit, with double bedroom or ‘gite’
  • 7 days 6 nights with 6 days of hiking

Program

  • Day 1

    From Chasseradès to Bleymard

    • Distance : 17 km
    • Duration : 5h
    • Elevation gain : 300 m

    The route starts by climbing up through the Lizard forests, towards the top of Goulet (1413m), offering a beautiful panorama over Mont Lozère. Following tracks alongside the streams that feed the Tarn river, you will eventually reach the hamlets of Alpiers and Le Bleymard. You are now at the foot of Mont Lozère.

  • Day 2

    From Bleymard to Pont de Montvert

    • Distance : 19 km
    • Duration : 5h30
    • Elevation gain : 650 m

    This is the stage with the biggest climb! Ascend Mont Lozère, on to the Summit of Finiels , passing through forests, moors and fields to arrive in Les Cévennes. An exceptional panorama opens up to you. The route continues on, down the southern slope, passing through the small hamlet of Finiels towards the Pont de Montvert, the village from which the Camisards uprising began in 1702.
     

  • Day 3

    From Pont de Montvert to Florac

    • Distance : 28.5 km
    • Duration : 7h
    • Elevation gain : 550 m

    The longest stage of your hike takes you across the River Tarn to climb the third highest massif of the Cévennes National Park: Bougès (1421m) stands in the heart of the Camisards. Following the Col du Sapet and Bedouès, then along the River Tarn, you finally arrive at Florac, the ‘capital’ of the Cévennes.
     

  • Day 4

    From Florac to Cassagnas

    • Distance : 18 km
    • Duration : 5h
    • Elevation gain : 150 m

    Following the old railway through the Mimente valley, you reach St Julien d’Arpaon and its famous castle. You then arrive at Cassagnas.
     

  • Day 5

    From Cassagnas to Saint Germain de Calberte

    • Distance : 15 km
    • Duration : 5h
    • Elevation gain : 370 m

    This short stage takes you across the Cévennes National Park, through the Fontmort forest and down towards the Col de la Pierre Plantée, before arriving at Saint-German-de-Camberte.
     

  • Day 6

    From Saint Germain de Calberte to Saint Jean du Gard

    • Distance : 22 km
    • Duration : 5h30
    • Elevation gain : 375 m

    The last leg of your hike following in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson takes you first to Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française to cross the Gardon valley. Passing by the Col de Saint-Pierre, you continue your crossing of the Camisards, before finishing your hike with a descent into Saint-Jean-du-Gard, a typical village of the lower Cévenoles valleys, and the place where Robert Louis Stevenson ended his adventure

  • Day 7

    Saint Jean du Gard

      End of the trip after breakfast.
       

    • End of trip

    Travel conditions

    • Luggage

      Two options to choose from:

      • With luggage transfer: You only need to carry what is needed for the day and your picnic. Your other luggage is transported by vehicle. Please respect the luggage limit of one bag per person, maximum weight of 13kg/bag.
      • Without luggage transfer: you carry all of your belongings throughout the trip with no organised luggage transfer by vehicle. 
         
    • Formalities

      • A valid official ID
      • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included
    • DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

      Chasseradès
      First day of the circuit: we recommend arriving on Sunday. The start of the hike will be on Monday.

      How to get there:
      By car : From Mende, N88 then D6 to Chasseradès.
      By train: Chasseradès SNCF station (Mende-Chasseradès line or La Bastide-Chasseradès)
      Ask us about return shuttle bus.
       

    • Accommodation

      The whole of your stay is ‘half-board’ (dinner, overnight accommodation and breakfast included). There are two options to choose from:

      • Accommodation in a ‘Gite’ : Gites are selected specifically for their warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. More often than not, you will share a dormitory of 4-6 beds. Sheets and towels are not provided (ensure that you include them in your luggage).
      • ‘Selected’ Accommodation: Accommodated in a private double or triple room in a ‘gite’, bed and breakfast or hotel, normally with a private ensuite bathroom and toilet. On certain stages, and according to availability, you may be offered sanitary facilities (private or communal) which are accessible from the landing or hallway. We will inform you of the type of facilities available. Sheets and towels are provided.
    • Key information and support

      You can go on your own, as a couple, with your family or with friends. We'll look after your accommodation, meals, luggage transfer and group.You have a good experience of hiking. From one stage to the next, you follow the maps and detailed digital roadbook that we have carefully prepared for you.Going on your own means hiking lightly, at your own pace, and taking full advantage of the pleasures of nature without worrying about the logistics of your stay. 

      It also means being free to interpret and imagine what the landscapes have to say.

    • Food

      This is not the time to go on a diet! Instead, it is an opportunity to taste local cuisine and specialities. The quality of your food is paramount and we take great care to ensure a good dietary balance, a sufficient calorie intake and that each meal includes local specialities. 
      You can dine at your accommodation or in the associated restaurants. 
      Picnics (lunch) are not included. Available as an additional option.
       

    • Attendees

      From 2 people.

    • Difficulty level

      This hike is aimed at adults who are in good physical condition. You should be able to walk for 4 to 7 hours per day (for queries concerning younger people, please contact us directly). The chosen route does not present any technical difficulties. You must be able to orientate yourself using a map and a TopoGuide.

      The footpaths are well signposted. 
       

    • Options

      • A single bedroom if the ‘Selected Accommodation’ option has been chosen.
      • Return to Puy-en-Velay by shuttle bus. 
      • Rental of a GPS device with the saved route
      • Trip without any luggage transfer
         

    Dates and price

    Information

    Accommodation available the day before departure, please contact us!

    Free departure from

    Price TTC per person

    Freedom package with luggage carried by cabs - stopover gîte
    Registration at 2 people610
    Registration at 3 people595
    Registration at 4 people565
    Registration at 6 people555
    Freedom package with luggage transfer by cab - hotel
    Registration at 2 people695
    Registration at 3 people685
    Registration at 4 people675
    Registration at 6 people665

    Options

    • Single room supplement, if selected: 135€/persPicnics (6): €72
    • Return to starting point (Chasseradès) by shuttle: 45€/pers
    • GPS rental with recorded tracks (50€).
    • Stay without luggage transfer: - 45€/pers

    The price includes

    • Half board accommodation for hikes.
    • Luggage transportation (only if Luggage Transfer option is selected).
    • The digital TopoGuide file
    • Organisation and logistics costs
       

    The price does not include

    • Drinks.
    • Picnics.
    • Insurance.
    • Personal expenses and visits to monuments.
    • The return transfer.
       

    The destination

    • Stevenson

      From Puy-en-Velay to Saint Jean du Gard, follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine, who walked this route in 1878.

      See more trips
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