TIPS & TRICKS FOR YOUR HIKE

PREPARING YOUR HIKE

Markings on the trail

The markings are indicated by a red line and a white line. With your travel guide, you have a dedicated guidance solution to integrate into your smartphone.

YOUR SHOES

They’ll be your faithful allies during your trip.

Backpack and poles

Backpack

It all depends on whether your luggage is carried at each stage!

Hiking with luggage transfer

Pack a daypack to carry your picnic, water bottle, waterproof jacket, warm clothes just in case, and a first aid kit. Choose a sturdy, lightweight backpack with a capacity suitable for what you plan to carry each day.

Hiking without luggage transfer

Choose a sturdy and comfortable backpack with a capacity of around 50 liters (the bag should not be stuffed to the max, otherwise remove some equipment or opt for a larger bag). It is advisable to choose a waterproof bag or accompany it with an over-bag which is very useful in case of rain or storm! An option which increases comfort: access through the bottom of the bag which will allow you to access all your belongings more easily. Be careful of the weight which may seem reasonable for 20 minutes but which will become less so after 3 hours of walking! Your backpack should have a belt to carry the weight of the bag on the pelvis but also a chest strap and a load reminder. The shoulder straps should be comfortable to avoid overheating related to hiking.

Luggage transfer

WALKING POLES

As you prefer! They provide assistance on climbs, notably by significantly transferring the effort, and on descents, they allow for a steady step. However, they can sometimes be cumbersome… The choice is yours!

SAFETY FIRST AID KIT

Imperative! Prevention is better. It should contain bandages, antiseptic, an “elastoplast” bandage, painkillers (such as aspirin or paracetamol), sunscreen, lip balm, foot cream, a survival blanket, and possibly a venom extractor.

WATER

A real survival tool because you’ll be sweating along the way, and it can be very hot! Although you’ll generally find water points quite regularly along your route, it’s essential to carry one or two water bottles, depending on their capacity, to ensure you have 1.5 liters of water with you. You can choose a metal bottle with a screw cap or a water bladder, depending on your preference.

CELL PHONE

It’s useful to take a phone and its charger with you. While it allows you to keep in touch with loved ones, it’s also an important safety tool – Emergency number: 112. It’s also the device with which you can load the Roadbook for Discovery app, which will provide you with your travel diary and digital guidance solution.

Randonnée sur les drilles de l'Aubrac

Your trainning

You will be traveling on long-distance hiking trails, some of which can offer significant elevation changes, such as the Stevenson Trail, for example. To ensure your walking trip is a real pleasure, it is best to prepare for walking before leaving with regular exercise, which can also help you prepare your new shoes! A word of advice: Plan your preparation in advance to make it regular. There is no point in trying to prepare at the last minute by forcing your preparation. With this brutal method, you will arrive tired for your trip, but not more resilient!

MULTI-RISK INSURANCE – CANCELLATION

L’Autre Chemin offers multi-risk and cancellation insurance solutions. To ensure your vacation is a pleasure, this travel insurance will help you cope with all situations, minimize the financial consequences, and manage the aftermath with complete peace of mind. 

Bad weather and thunderstorms are serious!

Cévennes Valleys before the storm

When the weather turns bad, your gear will make all the difference. However, it’s important to keep in mind that severe weather, such as thunderstorms or Cévennes storms, can pose significant dangers for both hikers and cyclists.

Before you set off, it’s important to know the day’s weather forecast. If your route involves steep terrain or river crossings (rain-swollen rivers can become impassable), consider adjusting your route by choosing the shortest and least exposed route. We can advise you.

Once on the road, if you see that the weather conditions are becoming very unfavorable or even too dangerous, do not hesitate to stop in a village to wait for a clearing or contact a taxi to reach your stage.

In the event of severe weather or thunderstorms, it’s better to call a taxi to reach your destination safely than to take unnecessary risks. It’s important to plan ahead: Thunderstorms often occur in the late afternoon, so if the forecast predicts thunderstorms later in the day, leave early! Weather apps provide good hour-by-hour updates, allowing you to make informed decisions.

BED BUGS

We have all heard about them… They had disappeared in the 1950s in France, but now they are back, particularly due to the development of international travel and their resistance to insecticides. These small insects that live away from light, in dark spaces, sow terror and yet we can all be affected by this scourge without compromising the hygiene of people and places.

We pay special attention to the accommodations selected for your stay, but bedbugs are parasites that are often carried by travelers and their luggage. To combat these bugs, when you arrive, your hosts may ask you to follow certain recommendations, including leaving your luggage in designated areas and not in your room.

Some good reflexes:

  • If you discover bedbugs, notify your host so that they can take appropriate treatment measures.
  • You can get a repellent spray (some are natural) to spray in and on your bag and shoes.
  • Do not place your bags on the bed or under the bed
  • Check your room
  • Don’t be obsessed by this risk and enjoy your hike and your stages