- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- Stevenson Trail GR70 Zen, Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean du Gard (soft stages)
From €1780 (16 days)
Bag transfer & journey back included
The complete Stevenson Trail with shorter stages
You dream of hiking the Stevenson Trail, but during the long stages, you prefer to take the time to walk at a leisurely pace and discover the surrounding landscapes. The Stevenson Trail Zen experience is for you! The most challenging aspects of the trail have been reduced with additional stages to allow you to walk with peace of mind!
An organized tour with half-board accommodation (excluding the Puy-en-Velay stage, which includes bed linen and towels) in a private room with luggage transport (max. 13 kg/person) and return transport to Puy-en-Velay from Saint-Jean du Gard included. Set off at your own pace on the GR 70 and enjoy short stages for a total immersion in nature.
The route presents no particular difficulties, and 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 trail.
Tip: The Stevenson Trail is a very popular route, especially in May, June, and September. If possible, we encourage you to book departures from Monday to Thursday. This will increase the number of available accommodations and allow for a more stress-free hike, as many hikers begin their trek on the weekend ;-)
Two packages to choose from:
- 17-day package: as per the trip description: €1,870/person
- 16-day package: Departing from Monastier-sur-Gazeille: €1,780/person
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The benefits of your hike:
- 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 stopover (one bag, max. 13kg/person).
- Your return minibus transfer to the starting point is included in our packages.
Your itinerary
- Elevation gain 6,405 m
- Self-guided hike
- Level: The Stevenson Trail is accessible to most hikers
- Accommodation: In a private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or unique accommodation)
- Tip for travelers coming from the South of France: We can reverse the shuttle at your request and schedule it on the first day of your stay. You can leave your car in St-Jean du Gard and take the 1:15 p.m. shuttle (a mandatory time) to Le Puy-en-Velay.
- What’s the climate like? See our Frequently Asked Questions
- Programm day / day
- What's in your trip
- Extras
- Accommodation
- Access to Le Puy and Car parking
- Need help ?
Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.
A free day to explore a city astonishingly rich in monuments. Stroll through its narrow streets, admire the old houses that bear witness to its rich past, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, including its terraces...
Discover:
> The Cathedral and its Cloister
> Statue of Notre-Dame de France
> Saint-Michel Chapel
> The narrow streets of the upper town
> Hôtel-Dieu and its exhibitions
> The Puy-de-Lumières show during the summer
> The immersive shows: The Digital Chapel and Hôtel des Lumières
> Monument passes on sale at the Tourist Office or at the monument ticket offices.
> Bobbin Lacemaking Training Center
> The Henry Vinay Garden (Horseshoe Park)
> The Crozatier Museum
Photo: Le Puy-en-Velay Tourist Office - Photo Luc Olivier
Start your walk gently, climbing above the town of Le Puy before plunging down to the waters of the Loire, where you pass through the village of Coubon. The Stevenson and Saint-Régis trails share a common path, offering beautiful views of the Loire and Gazeille rivers from the ridges of Archinaud before reaching the small, characterful town of Monastier-sur-Gazeille.
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
A beautiful stop today that takes you back to the wild Loire and connects you to the magnificent village of Goudet, bathed by the river. You can relax on the beach or follow the small path that overlooks the Loire.
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
A change of scenery today, your hike takes you to the Devès Plateau, its red volcanic soil that nourishes the green lentil crops of Le Puy! You'll cross Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas before reaching the village of Landos.
Discover:
• Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
> The volcanic lake of Bouchet
• Landos
> The washhouse and its fountain
> St. Félix Church
> The Marais de Ribains
©ot-le-puy-FLOÉ - Stevenson
From Landos, you can easily reach the village of Pradelles, which enjoys the reputation of being one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France," before heading down the trail that leads you to Langogne... What if this was the chance to take a dip in Lake Naussac?
Discover:
• 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
Photo Schapeller
Explore the Mercoire Forest. It's a must-see for hikers, offering the chance to discover the Stevenson fir, the Ron de Baoun, and more. Whether you're staying in Le Cheylard-l'Evèque or Chaudeyrac, you'll enjoy magnificent scenery throughout your hike.
Discover:
• Saint-Flour-de-Mercoire
> The dense forest
The small church
> The Ron de la Baoune - a jumble of granite boulders
> The Stevenson fir
> The Pascalou Stevenson stele
• Cheylard-l'Evèque
> Our Lady of All Graces (on the heights)
Would you like to climb a little further? Yes, but the path is so beautiful, guiding you up the slopes of the Gardille before plunging towards the first waves of the Allier, dominated by the remains of Luc's castle. We suggest a relatively leisurely journey to La Bastide-Puylaurent from the Col d'Esperlouze.
As for Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey, don't worry; you can climb there the next day as today's stage is shorter.
Discover:
> The Gardille Forest
• Luc
> The remains of the castle
> The nascent Allier
Today you have a choice...
Either head directly towards Chasseradès (13km)
Or retrace your steps and explore the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey (21km to reach Chasseradès).
Whichever way you choose, you'll enjoy a lovely walk on the slopes of La Gardille before reaching the small village of Chasseradès.
Discover:
• La Bastide-Puylaurent
> Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey - Photo Schapeller
• Chasseradès
> Saint-Blaise Church
Hike up the Goulet mountain, rich in flora and wildlife, before descending to Les Alpiers and then reaching Bonnetès or Le Bleymard. A short detour to discover the source of the Lot River?
Discover:
• Mirandol
> The railway viaduct
• Le Bleymard
> The Lot River
> The Saint-Jean Chapel
> The slate roofs of Le Tournel
> Mont-Lozère in the distance
Photo: Schappeler
Take the time to climb this giant of Mont-Lozère.
After passing through the village of Le Bleymard, the trail leads you to the slopes of Mont-Lozère. Rather than "challenging" it in one go, a short stop at the resort will allow you to enjoy the altitude and the scenery. Tomorrow will be another day...
Discover:
• Le Bleymard
> The Lot
> The Saint-Jean Chapel
> The slate roofs of Le Tournel
This is a magnificent stage that takes you to the summit of Mont-Lozère before descending to the hamlet of Finiels. You walk along a path with breathtaking views. Below, you overlook the village of Pont de Montvert, bathed by the Tarn River, whose waves will lull you to sleep tonight!
Discover:
• Finiels
> The granite boulders
> The view of the Cévennes
> The burons and the general architecture of the village
• Pont de Montvert
> The high Tarn Gorges
> The Maison du Mont-Lozère
> The road that climbs to L'Hermet
This stage intimidates many hikers, but we'll offer you a tip to limit its length and, more importantly, its elevation gain. You'll climb towards the ridges that separate the Tarn from the Mimente. Soon, you'll reach the Col du Sapet, and your steps will then easily lead you to Bédouès/Cocurès.
Discover:
• The Col du Sapet
> The incredible view
• Bédouès
> The collegiate church
> The banks of the Tarn
Explore the pretty spa town of Florac (intersection of the rivers: the Mimente, the Tarn, the Tarnon, and the Pêcher). After crossing this town, you'll cross the Tarnon, then follow the cool Mimente River and its magnificent translucent pools. Further on, you'll reach your stopover for the day in Saint-Julien d'Arpaon or Cassagnas, depending on your options. A very gentle (or almost!) stopover.
Discover:
• Florac
> Intersection of the waters of the Tarn, the Tarnon, the Mimente, and the Pêcher
> The Cévennes Park House located in the castle
> The narrow streets
• Saint-Julien d'Arpaon
> The magnificent and cool Mimente Valley
> The remains of the 13th-century castle
> The chestnut grove
After Cassagnas, a beautiful climb through the forest awaits, but the scenery at the top is simply incredible. The vegetation, the scents, the species change...
Discover:
• Between Cassagnas and Saint-Germain-de-Calberte
> The ruins of the Gallo-Roman villa
> The panoramic view
• Saint-Germain-de-Calberte
> The Chestnut Trees
> The 11th-century Château
> The Church of Saint-Germain-de-Calberte
> The Cévennes
A short day's walk from Saint-Germain, the route is very pleasant to reach Saint-Étienne-Vallée Française and the Château de Cambiaire.
Discover:
• Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française
> The Château de Cambiaire
You're not done climbing yet, as your trail takes you up to the magnificent Col de Saint-Pierre, overlooking the Gardon River. You're entering the Gard department, and all that's left is to descend the path to reach the charming town of Saint-Jean du Gard, bathed by the Gardon River.
Discover:
• Saint-Jean du Gard
> The Old Bridge
> The Clock Tower
> Saint-Jean Castle
> The Maison Rouge Filature and its Horseshoe Staircase
> The Stevenson Fountain
> The Steam Train
Return by regular shuttle with a choice of departure at 8:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. for a return to Puy-en-Velay at 12:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. depending on road conditions.
This price includes:
- Accommodation in a private room (with sheets and towels) according to the configuration selected at booking: twin, double, triple, multiple, or single (with supplement)
- Half-board accommodation
- Tourist taxes
- Luggage transport (maximum 13 kg/person)
- Your digital travel and guidebook
- The guidebook (1 copy per 3 travelers) Return to Puy-en-Velay by regular shuttle
- Telephone assistance
Available options:
- Multi-risk cancellation insurance
- Single room
- No journey back from St-Jean du Gard
This price does not include:
- Transportation and transfers to the starting point,
- Parking Meals other than those specified in the chosen package, Drinks, Pocket money, Possible visits or activities,
- GPX tracks (we do not provide GPX tracks – app 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 journey. 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 truly beautiful 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 guide!
- 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 centre)
- Dunant car park (free bus service to the city centre)
Above-ground car parks in the town of Le Puy – Rates: €10 / week and €20 / month. Subscriptions must be reserved and paid in advance at the Mobilité-en-Velay commercial space. 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 – Reservations: 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 – Reservation: +33 7 68 10 76 81
- Saint-Jacques Parking (Center served by bus) – 13 bis de Roderie – Aiguilhe – Video surveillance – Reservation: +33 4 44 43 97 43 – 7 days: €29 & 14 days: €55 (near Ibis Center)
- La Malle Postale – Parking 7km from Le Puy – Drop-off and pick-up available – 7 days / 7–7 days: €30 & 15 days: €50 – Reservation: +33 4 71 04 21 79
Rates are provided for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice.
From 1460€ / pers.
with luggage transfer & journey back
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 €750 / pers
Luggage carried & journey back included
Introduction to the Stevenson trail from Le Puy to Chasseradès
Du Puy ou du Monastier à Chasseradès, découvrez les premières étapes du Chemin de Stevenson - GR70
Dès 995€ / pers
Sac transporté
A vélo sur le chemin de Saint-Régis
Roulez sur les traces du marcheur de Dieu entre Haute-Loire et Ardèche