- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- Zen Introduction to Stevenson, Le Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès (soft stages)
From €850 / pers.
Zen-style introduction to the Stevenson Trail from Le Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès with short stages
Do you dream of hiking the Stevenson Trail, but during the long stages, you prefer to take the time to walk slowly and discover the surrounding landscapes? This Zen-style introduction to the Stevenson Trail is for you! With an average of 16 km per day, stages no longer than 21 km.
The landscapes you pass through are sublime!
Find our tips for preparing your hike.
Bonus: The L’Autre Chemin agency is located in Le Puy-en-Velay at 5 rue Grangevieille. This allows us to easily meet you upon your departure and provides us with extensive knowledge of the trai.
Tip: The Stevenson Trail is a very popular route, especially in May, June, and September. If possible, we encourage you to choose departures from Monday to Thursday. This will increase accommodation options and provide a more stress-free hike, as many hikers begin their trek on the weekend ;-)
Two packages to choose from:
- 9-day package as per the trip description
- 8-day package departing from Monastier-sur-Gazeille
[WEBRESA]
Pros of your trek:
- You travel independently and follow the provided travel diary.
- 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 – max dimensions : L + W + H : 120cm).
- Your journey back by minibus to the starting point is included in our packages.
Your itinerary:
- Elevation gain 3,400m
- Self-guided hike
- Experienced hiker: average 5 hours of walking per day
- Family: Small, ideal stops for a family trip
- Accommodation: Private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation)
- Important to know: You are travelling from place to place, and the itinerary includes stages with varying levels of comfort
- 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.
Before setting off along the Stevenson Trail, take the time to discover Le Puy-en-Velay, a fascinating town where history reveals itself around every corner.
Wander through its narrow streets, admire its beautifully preserved historic houses and discover the remarkable monuments that make up its rich heritage. Here, every turn reveals a new surprise, from ancient stonework and lively squares to charming architectural details.
And because Le Puy-en-Velay is not just a feast for the eyes, take the opportunity to enjoy its unique way of life too. Settle down at a café terrace, enjoy a coffee or a drink, watch the world go by and soak up the town’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.
A day to wander, discover and simply take your time… before lacing up your hiking boots and setting off in Stevenson’s footsteps.
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)
You begin your hike along the Stevenson Trail, gradually gaining altitude above the Le Puy-en-Velay basin. The trail then leads you back down towards the Loire Valley and into Coubon, nestled on the banks of the river.
The route climbs again to reach a beautiful ridge, offering magnificent panoramic views over the Loire Valley, including the impressive Château de Bouzols.
Little by little, the landscape opens up and the atmosphere begins to change. Before long, you arrive in Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, a Petite Cité de Caractère and an essential stop in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson.
A wonderful first day, combining stunning landscapes and rich heritage, as you gently step into the world of the Stevenson Trail.
Discover:
• Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille
> The Abbey of Saint Chaffre, which combines 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
You delve into the heart of the Loire’s wild gorges, through a spectacular landscape where the river winds its way between volcanic hills. Along the trail, you discover the Château de Beaufort in Goudet, perched in a remarkable setting high above the valley.
Discover:
• Saint-Martin de Fugères
> The church
• Goudet
> Stroll through the heart of the village center and discover the polychrome roofs
> Walk along the path that runs along the Loire and leads you to the wild gorges
> Beaufort Castle
Leave the wild gorges of the Loire behind as you cross the vast cultivated plateaus of the Devès, where the trails stretch through farmland and wide-open landscapes. Along the way, you pass the Péchay maar, a fascinating reminder of the volcanic history of this land, shaped over time by ancient eruptions.
The trail then takes you to Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, before continuing towards Landos.
A beautiful stage through wide-open spaces, volcanic landscapes and characterful villages, right in the heart of the Haute-Loire.
Discover:
• Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
> The Bouchet Volcanic Lake
• Landos
> The washhouse and its fountain
> St. Félix Church
> The Ribains Marsh
Photo ©ot-le-puy-FLOÉ - Stevenson
Today, a beautiful stage awaits as you gradually leave the Haute-Loire behind and make your way into Lozère, deep in the landscapes of the Gévaudan.
Along the way, take the time to explore Pradelles, a charming hilltop village and one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages.” Wander through its narrow streets, discover its rich heritage and soak up its unique atmosphere before continuing along the trail.
You then reach Langogne, a perfect place to slow down, enjoy the surrounding landscapes and embrace the peaceful atmosphere of this new region.
A gentle transition between characterful villages, wide-open spaces and the first landscapes of Lozère.
Highlights:
• Arquejols
> Viaduct
> Jagonas Castle
• Pradelles
> Village Tour
> Vélorail
> Neo-Gothic Church
> Aquatic Center
> View of Gévaudan
• Langogne
> Lake Naussac – Watersports and Swimming
> The Calquières Spinning Mill
> Museum of Sacred Art
Picture Schapeller
Towards the Mercoire Forest
As you make your way through this stage, the landscape gradually begins to change. The wide-open spaces slowly give way to more wooded scenery, announcing your arrival in the Mercoire Forest.
Soon, you discover its beautiful forest landscapes and, along the trail, the famous Stevenson Fir, a charming nod to the Scottish writer who gave his name to this legendary route.
A delightful stage where the forest becomes your companion along the way… pure hiking pleasure!
To discover:
• Saint-Flour-de-Mercoire
> The dense forest
the small church
> The Ron de la Baoune - a chaos of granite blocks
> The Stevenson fir
> The Pascalou Stevenson stele
• Cheylard-l'Evèque
> Notre Dame de toutes les Grâces (on the heights)
Leaving Le Cheylard-l’Évêque, you gradually gain altitude through the magnificent Gardille Forest. The trail winds its way through the heart of this beautiful woodland before reaching Espradels.
The route then follows a pleasant descent towards Luc, where the landscape gradually opens up. Further on, you walk along the banks of the Allier River, which accompanies you peacefully all the way to Laveyrune.
Once you reach the Col d’Esperlouze, you leave the Stevenson Trail and join the historic Régordane Way. This new route gently leads you onwards to La Bastide-Puylaurent, the destination of this beautiful stage.
A wonderfully varied day, combining vast forests, wild valleys and historic trails, with the unspoilt landscapes of Lozère as your backdrop.
Discover:
> The Gardille Forest
• Luc
> The remains of the castle
> The nascent Allier
For this final stage, you have several options for reaching Chasseradès.
The main route offers a beautiful alternative, taking you to discover the magnificent Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey. You then rejoin the trails through the Gardille Forest, before gradually making your way towards Chasseradès, where your hike comes to an end.
If you would prefer to shorten this final day, you can also choose to climb directly onto the slopes of the Gardille and head towards Chasseradès. This shorter option, covering around 13 km, is ideal for bringing your adventure to a gentle close.
A final day in the heart of the Gardille forests, combining heritage, wild nature and wide-open spaces—a beautiful way to bring your Stevenson Trail adventure to an end.
Discover:
• La Bastide-Puylaurent
> Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey - Photo Schappeller
• Chasseradès
> Saint-Blaise Church
After your night in Chasseradès, you will be picked up and your luggage collected at 10:50 a.m. in Chaseradès for your return to Puy-en-Velay (Arrival at 12:30 p.m. depending on road conditions)
This price includes:
- Accommodation in a twin, double, triple, multiple, or single room with half-board
- 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
- No journey back from Chasseradès
- Stay log 7-day stay with the last night omitted
- Last night in Le Puy-en-Velay (bed and breakfast) replacing the one in Chasseradès
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:
Start your hike from Monastier-sur-Gazeille
You’d like to depart directly from Monastier-sur-Gazeille, where you’ll be welcomed on the first evening of your half-board stay.
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.
Half-board
When you select a half-board stay—which typically includes a set-menu dinner and breakfast (please note that breakfast may be continental or international, depending on the accommodation)—we invite you to inform us of any food allergies or special dietary requirements.
Accommodations can generally cater to the needs of travelers who:
- have medically diagnosed allergies (conditions involving the immune system that carry a risk of potentially severe reactions, such as anaphylactic shock), such as allergies to honey, tree nuts, or shellfish;
- are vegetarian (due to the complexity and significant constraints involved for hosts, we are unfortunately unable to arrange stays that accommodate a vegan diet);
- follow a diet for religious reasons.
Regarding food intolerances (digestive system difficulties in processing a specific food, resulting in purely digestive symptoms, such as lactose or gluten intolerance) and other dietary restrictions: we will notify the accommodation providers in advance. However, some hosts may struggle to accommodate the full range of dietary requirements, which are becoming increasingly common. We thank you in advance for adapting your food choices to the meals provided during your stay and, if necessary, bringing along any specific supplements or items such as gluten-free bread. Please note: Additional charges may apply for special dietary requirements, depending on the policies of individual accommodation providers.
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 – 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
- Estrouilhas car park: Parking without video
- Quincieu park and ride: Parking without video
- 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
- Parking des Carmes: Monitored parking – €40 / week – Booking: 07 68 10 76 81
- Foch Parking – 6 avenue du Maréchal Foch – Video surveillance – 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: €35
- 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.
From 1525€ / pers.
The Stevenson trail GR70 – Nature trek through the Cévennes
Fully organized hiking trip on the Stevenson Trail (GR70) from Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean du Gard or Alès, depending on your choice. A walking adventure in the heart of the Cévennes, following in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson.
From €780 / pers
Introduction to the Stevenson trail from Le Puy to Chasseradès
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès, discover the first stages of the Stevenson Trail – GR70
Dès 740€ / pers.
Aventure & Dolce via
Partez à vélo sur l'une des plus belle voie verte de France : La Dolce Via