- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- 4 days on the Stevenson Trail, from Puy-en-Velay to Pradelles
€420 / pers
with luggage transfer & journey back
4 Days on the Stevenson Trail
A short break, a long weekend, a long weekend to discover the first stages of the incredible GR70 – Stevenson Trail. The program includes a 3-day hike from the town of Le Puy-en-Velay to Pradelles. This will be an opportunity to discover Monastier-sur-Gazeille before reaching the majestic gorges of the Loire Sauvage, the Devès plateau and its volcanic rock that colors the paths red, as well as cultivated plateaus where the Velay green lentil grows. An enchanting interlude on the Stevenson Trail that will certainly inspire more than one to continue the adventure…
The route doesn’t present any particular difficulties. The second stage is longer, but you have to take your time; there’s no point in rushing ;-)
Check out our tips for preparing your hike.
Bonus: The L’Autre Chemin agency is located in Le Puy-en-Velay at 5 rue Grangevieille, which allows us to easily meet you upon your departure and offers us extensive knowledge of the trail.
What we like: The Wild Loire Valley and Rhinoceros Rock as you descend towards Goudet Tip: The Stevenson Trail is a very popular route, especially in May, June, and September.
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The benefits of your stay:
- You travel independently and follow the provided travel book.
- Take advantage of our guide app to download to your smartphone (guidance, tourist information).
- Your accommodations are offered on a half-board basis
- Your luggage is delivered at each stop (one bag, max. 13kg/person).
- Your return trip by minibus to the starting point is included in our packages.
Your itinerary:
- Elevation gain 1,870m
- Self-guided hike
- Experienced hiker: 5h30 to 6h30 hours of walking per day
- Family: Children 13 years and older (experienced hiking)
- Accommodation: Private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation)
- What’s the climate like? See our FAQ
Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.
A free day to explore the town of Le Puy-en-Velay. Stroll through the narrow streets of the upper town.
Discover:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister
> The statue of Notre-Dame de France
> The Chapel of Saint-Michel
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> The Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Fortress of Polignac
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
From Le Puy, you'll climb back up to the heights before reaching the Loire Valley, reaching Coubon. The path will then take you up the wooded ridges shared between the Laussonne Valley and the Gazeille Valley.
You'll then reach Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, which has a close connection with Sir Robert-Louis Stevenson and offers so much to discover.
Discover:
• Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille
> The Abbey of Saint Chaffre, which blends Romanesque and Gothic styles.
> The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste
> The circular fountains and wash houses
> Museum of Popular Beliefs
> School Museum
> The European Cultural Space (exhibitions)
> The Recoumène Viaduct - picture Schappeler
Follow in the writer's footsteps, which will take you down to the Gazeille Valley before climbing a stony path through the forest. You will then reach wide plains formed in particular by the volcanic flows of the Bresse mountains. Next comes a beautiful stony descent towards the Loire, then the ascent on the other bank towards Bouchet Saint-Nicolas. A magnificent stopover!
To discover:
• Saint-Martin de Fugères
> The church
• Goudet
> A stroll through the heart of the village center and the discovery of the polychrome roofs
> A walk along the path that runs along the Loire and leads you to wild gorges
> Beaufort Castle
• Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
> The volcanic lake of Bouchet
From Bouchet Saint-Nicolas, you will travel along wide tracks that crisscross the cultivated lands of Devès and which seem to share the two most important valleys of Haute-Loire: the Loire and the Allier, which will meet much further on at the Bec de l'Allier not far from Nevers. You will reach Landos then Pradelles, a town labeled one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, where you will meet at 4:40 p.m. with a shuttle bus in which you will collect your luggage and which will take you to Puy-en-Velay (5:30 p.m. depending on road conditions).
Photo credits: Le Puy Tourist Office©FLOÉ
Discover:
• Landos
> The washhouse and its fountain
> St. Félix Church
> The Ribains Marshes
• Arquejols
> Viaduct
> Jagonas Castle
• Pradelles
> Village tour
> Vélorail
> Neo-Gothic church
> Aquatic center
> The view of Gévaudan
This price includes:
- Accommodation in a twin, double, triple, multiple, or single room with half-board (dinner + night + breakfast)
- Tourist taxes,
- Luggage transport (maximum 13kg/person)
- Your digital travel and guidebook The guidebook (1 copy per group of 3 travelers)
- The journey back to Le Puy-en-Velay by minibus
- Telephone assistance
Extras:
- Multi-risk cancellation insurance
- Single room
This price does not include:
- Transportation and transfers to the starting point,
- Meals other than those specified in the chosen package,
- Car parking
- The stage log
- Drinks
- Pocket money
- Possible visits or activities
- GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks – app-based guidance)
- Multi-risk cancellation insurance,
- More generally, anything not listed in the “this price includes” section
Administration fees :
- €12/person if ordered online
- €15/person via quote
As an option, L’autre Chemin offers:
The Stage Book
A veritable passport to be stamped at each stage of your hike. We offer an optional stage book, which will be a nice souvenir of the Stevenson Trail. Price: €7 / stage book when booking your stay.
L’Autre Chemin has developed numerous partnerships with guesthouses and small traditional hotels to offer you comfort and authenticity, ensuring that each stage is an opportunity to discover the architecture, the art of living, and the gastronomy, as well as a moment of exchange and encounters. Note: The stages along the trail are determined by the walking pace that we feel is most appropriate. We strive to offer you stages that offer comfort, discovery, and authenticity in hotels, guesthouses, cottages, or unusual accommodations.
However, the Stevenson Trail offers a range of amenities. Generally, bathrooms are integrated into the rooms, but they may be located on the landing or shared in some accommodations.
By train
The town of Le Puy-en-Velay has a train station that takes you right to the city center, close to your first hotel and all the sights and shops. In short, it’s very pleasant to take the train from home to begin your hike in Le Puy. Psst, even if the journey may seem long, when you arrive via Saint-Etienne, the tracks run alongside the wild Loire Valley, a very pleasant sight!
By car
Le Puy is accessible by road, notably via two main roads: the RN88 from Saint-Etienne/Lyon or Aubenas/Mende, or via the RN102 (Clermont-Ferrand). There are suitable parking lots on site, but we’ll explain everything in your travel diary!
- Paris: 515km
- Lyon: 134km
- Marseille: 300km
- Toulouse: 350km
- Montpellier: 250km
Where to park in Le Puy?
- Breuil underground car park – Place du Breuil (near Ibis Styles and Ibis Centre) – Closed Sundays and public holidays – 7 days: €60 & 14 days: €100/14 days – Reservations: +33 4 71 02 03 54
- Bertrand de Doue car park: Parking without video (near train station, Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Estrouilhas car park: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Quincieu park and ride: Parking without video (near Ibis Centre)
- Montredon park and ride: Parking without video (free bus service to the city center)
- Dunant car park (free bus service to the city center) These above ground car parks in Le Puy – Rates: €10/week and €20/month. Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial center. Tel. 04 71 02 60 11 (open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) – Height limit 2.20 m and length 5.50 m maximum. These car parks are served by a free shuttle or the urban transport network.
- Parking de la Gare: Monitored parking – €6 / 24 hours (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Parking des Carmes: Monitored parking – €30 / week – Booking: 07 68 10 76 81 (near Ibis Styles & Budget)
- Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – (near Ibis Styles & Budget) – 7 days: €30 & 14 days: €60 – Booking: +33 7 68 10 76 81
- Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Booking: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €29 & 14 days: €55 (near Ibis Centre)
- La Malle Postale – Parking 7 km from Le Puy – Drop-off and pick-up available – 7 days / 7–7 days: €30 & 15 days: €50 – Booking: +33 4 71 04 21 79
Rates are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice.
Whether you’d like to book your Stevenson Trail Introduction stay or have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
with L'Autre Chemin
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with luggage transfer & return
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