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- The Saint-Guilhem trail zen with shorter stages
From €1705 / pers
The Saint Guilhem-le-Désert Trail zen with shorter stages
The Saint-Guilhem Way appeals to you, but you prefer shorter, more relaxed stages so you can fully enjoy the scenery and take your time along the way? Then this trip is made for you!
Hike from the plateaus of Aubrac to the Hérault, passing through the incredible Cirque de Navacelles – a Grand Site de France – as well as the Causses, whose landscapes showcase a rugged, unspoiled natural environment. The Saint-Guilhem Way is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in France, linking the high plateaus of Aubrac with the gateway to Languedoc. Used since the Middle Ages by pilgrims and travellers, this legendary trail crosses an astonishing variety of landscapes: deep forests, limestone plateaus, spectacular gorges and beautifully preserved medieval villages.
The Saint-Guilhem Way is also a pilgrimage route leading to Gellone Abbey. Your journey takes you across the high meadows of Aubrac, starting in Aumont, where you will initially follow the Way of St. James before reaching Aubrac. You will then follow the Via Agrippa before rejoining the Saint-Guilhem Way towards Les Salces. From there, your footsteps will lead you towards the Tarn Gorges and the Sauveterre and Méjean Causses. The highlight of the journey is the majestic Cirque de Navacelles, followed by the upper Hérault Valley, before arriving in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.
A hiking holiday along the Saint-Guilhem Way offers a unique experience, combining cultural discovery with immersion in nature. Along the route, you will encounter remarkable heritage sites, including Romanesque abbeys, ancient bridges, protected sites and local traditions that are still very much alive.
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The benefits of your hike:
- You travel independently and follow the provided travel diary.
- Take advantage of our guidance 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 journey back with minibus transfer to the departure point is included in our packages.
Your itinerary:
- Elevation gain: 5,910 m
- Self-guided hiking trip (choose your departure date and travel solo, with family or friends)
- Fairly challenging route, with an average of around 6 hours of walking per day
- Accommodation: Private room (B&Bs, gîtes, hotels or unusual accommodation)
- Good to know: You’ll be travelling from one place to another, and the route includes stages with varying levels of comfort.
- Crossing areas subject to specific conditions: It can be very hot when crossing the Causses. Access through forested areas may be prohibited by local authorities due to wildfire risk. The map is updated every evening at 6 pm, and the agency will notify you if this affects your trip.
Note: The steps are given for information purposes only and may be modified depending on host availability.
Considered the gateway to Aubrac, the village of Aumont-Aubrac captivates visitors with its distinctive architecture and omnipresent nature.
Discover:
• Aumont-Aubrac
> Saint-Etienne Church
> The Priory House (Tourist Office)
This stage begins in Aumont-Aubrac, a charming village in the Aubrac region, known for its stone houses and local shops. As soon as you leave the village, the trail gently climbs across grassy plateaus, offering sweeping views over rolling valleys and meadows dotted with herds of Aubrac cattle.
The trail winds through beech and pine forests, providing welcome shelter from the wind or a shady place to rest. Dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths bear witness to the region’s long pastoral heritage. Hikers can enjoy birdsong and the gentle ringing of cowbells as the herds graze peacefully.
The arrival in Prinsuéjols, a quiet and authentic hamlet, provides a pleasant place to rest before continuing along the route. The village retains its unspoilt rural charm, with traditional stone houses and the distinctive landscapes of the Aubrac region.
Discover:
• La Chaze de Peyre
> The church
> The Romanesque church
> The Bès River
• Rieutord d'Aubrac
> The village
From Prinsuéjols, the trail heads across the open plateaus of Aubrac, offering magnificent views over rolling valleys and distant horizons. The low, grassy meadows are dotted with herds of Aubrac cattle, their distinctive coats adding to the scenery, while the gentle ringing of their bells accompanies you along the way.
The trail also passes through small groves and wooded areas, offering shade and a refreshing break. Dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths line the route, bearing witness to the region’s ancient pastoral traditions. Hikers can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, accompanied by the sound of the wind through the grass and birdsong.
Arriving in Aubrac Village, an iconic stop in the region, is a wonderful opportunity for discovery. This traditional village, known for its stone architecture and local shops, is renowned for its gastronomy—including aligot and local cured meats—as well as its pastoral traditions. The old houses and small village church add to the authentic charm of this special place.
Discover:
• Rieutord d'Aubrac
> The village
• Nasbinals
> The town's general architecture
> The Romanesque church
> The Bès River
> The Déroc waterfall
• Aubrac
> The 12th-century Domerie church
> The Tower of the Lost, which rang for lost pilgrims
> The old hospital
> The Maison de l'Aubrac
> Our Lady of the Gentians of Aubrac
• Saint-Chély d'Aubrac
> The pilgrims' bridge
> The church
> The wash houses
> The half-timbered houses
You leave Aubrac via an alternative route along an ancient Roman road (Via Agrippa), allowing you to avoid the descent towards Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac. The trail follows a path lined with dry-stone walls and hazel trees, leading to the Croix de la Vaysse, before rejoining the GR6 and the Saint-Guilhem Way.
The trail winds through groves and small beech and pine forests, providing shade and a little coolness during the climb. Dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths punctuate the route, recalling Aubrac’s ancient pastoral heritage. The peaceful, serene atmosphere of the plateau allows you to fully appreciate the local wildlife, including birds and, occasionally, roe deer appearing along the trail.
The arrival at Col du Trébatut, the highest point of the stage, rewards hikers with 360° panoramic views over the surrounding plateaus and valleys.
Highlights:
• Montorzier Peat Bog
• Croix de la Rode
• Signal de Mailhebiau – the highest point of Aubrac
• The feeling of being surrounded by an endless landscape of grass and stone
From Col du Trébatut, the trail gradually descends towards La Canourgue, offering magnificent views over the limestone plateaus and lush green valleys. Short grasslands and golden meadows alternate with wooded areas where beech and oak trees provide welcome shade and coolness.
Along the way, you can admire traces of the region’s pastoral heritage, including dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths, reminders of the traditional farming practices of the Causses. Birdsong and the gentle murmur of streams punctuate the descent, providing a pleasant contrast to the exposed landscapes of the plateau.
Arriving in La Canourgue, known as the “Little Venice of Lozère,” is a delightful experience. The village is crossed by numerous canals and lined with stone houses and small bridges, creating a picturesque and lively setting after the quiet expanses of the plateaus. It is also a great opportunity to discover local shops, cafés and regional specialities, including Aubrac cheeses and cured meats.
Highlights:
Saint-Germain-du-Teil
• Le Clos du Nid – historic large manor house
Banassac
• Banassac Archaeological Museum
• Ruins of Canilhac Castle
• Ruins of Montferrand Castle
La Canourgue
• The canals
• Château Saint-Étienne
• The narrow streets
• Saint-Frézal Chapel
• The Clock Tower
Day 6: La Canourgue – Chanac – 16 km – 4½ hrs – Elevation gain: 470 m
From La Canourgue, you’ll need a little determination to climb up towards the Causse de Sauveterre. To make this stage easier, you will leave the Saint-Guilhem Way after the hamlet of Gazy and continue towards the village of Chanac.
The trail passes near traditional farms and hamlets, where you can observe rural life and local farming practices. Dry-stone walls and sunken paths are reminders of the region’s enduring pastoral and agricultural traditions.
Arriving in Chanac, a charming medieval village, is a lovely opportunity to relax. Located on the banks of the Lot River, the village has a historic centre with cobbled lanes, stone houses and a small church. Local cafés and shops offer a warm welcome, as well as the chance to sample regional specialities.
Highlights:
Chardonnet Dolmen
Chanac
• Castle remains
• Saint John the Baptist Church
You will first follow the GR de Pays Tour des Causses de Sauveterre before rejoining the Saint-Guilhem route at the Three Lords Megalithic Site. You then pass through the village of Champerboux before descending towards the gorge carved by the Tarn River, leading you to Sainte-Enimie.
The village, listed among France’s Most Beautiful Villages, is truly enchanting. Nestled in the Tarn Gorges, it is crossed by the river and lined with stone houses and medieval streets. The atmosphere is lively and authentic, with local shops, cafés and regional specialities to discover.
Highlights:
• Dolmens of the Three Lords
Champerboux
• The village’s traditional Causse architecture
• Bac Menhir
Sainte-Enimie – One of France’s Most Beautiful Villages
• The village’s medieval atmosphere
• The Tarn River
• The Hermitage of Princess Enimie
• The Monastery
• Notre-Dame du Gourg Church
As you gradually climb towards the plateaus of the Causse Méjean, you pass through beech and pine forests, occasionally following traditional livestock paths and dry-stone walls. Birdsong, the sound of the wind and the rustling of leaves accompany you along the way, creating an atmosphere of peace and contemplation.
The route gradually reveals the vastness of the plateaus, where the horizon stretches as far as the eye can see and low grasses and aromatic shrubs such as thyme and broom fill the air with their scents. Arriving at Les Nivoliers, a small hamlet on the plateau, provides a welcome place to rest and an insight into traditional pastoral life.
Highlights:
Hures-la-Parade
• The Causse
• Dolmens
• Przewalski’s horses
From Les Nivoliers, the trail crosses the vast plateaus of the Causse Méjean, offering impressive views over the surrounding valleys and its characteristic limestone landscape. Low grasses and aromatic shrubs such as thyme, wild thyme and broom fill the air with their fragrance, while the wind sweeps across the plateau, creating an exhilarating sense of freedom and endless space.
The trail alternates between rocky sections, traditional livestock paths and small wooded areas, where the shade of pine and beech trees provides a welcome break. Dry-stone walls and traces of traditional pastoral life punctuate the route, recalling the long-standing tradition of livestock farming on the causses.
As you approach Meyrueis, the landscape begins to change: the plateaus soften and the valley gradually comes into view. The gorges and rivers leading towards the village offer a striking contrast to the vastness of the causse. Nestled in the heart of the Tarnon Gorges, Meyrueis boasts a picturesque centre with stone houses, local shops and cafés—perfect for a well-deserved break.
Highlights:
Hures-la-Parade
• The Rode Protohistoric Enclosure
• Dolmens
• Traditional Causse farm
Meyrueis
• The descent towards the Jonte Gorges
• Clock Tower
• Saint-Pierre Church and Protestant Temple
Day 10: Meyrueis – L’Espérou – 21 km – 6¼ hrs – Elevation gain: 810 m
From Meyrueis, the trail gradually climbs towards the plateaus of the Causse Noir, alternating between wooded areas and open meadows. The stage begins in the Tarnon Valley, with its rivers and cliffs creating a refreshing, green setting. Beech and pine forests provide welcome shade and coolness during the ascent.
As you climb higher, panoramic views open up across the surrounding limestone plateaus and valleys, creating a wonderful sense of space and freedom. The wind sometimes sweeps across the higher ground, while the air is scented with thyme, heather and wild grasses growing across the causse.
Arriving in L’Espérou, a small plateau village, provides a pleasant place to rest. This traditional village retains its rural charm, with stone houses and a peaceful atmosphere—perfect for relaxing after the climb.
Highlights:
• Château de Roquedols
• Aigoual Forest
Camprieu
• Lac du Bonheur – Camprieu
• Bonheur Valley and the remains of Notre-Dame du Bonheur
From L’Espérou, the trail crosses the Causse Noir, alternating between open limestone plateaus and wooded areas. Low grasslands and bushes of broom and heather fill the air with their fragrance, while the wind regularly sweeps across the plateau, creating a wonderful sense of freedom and endless space.
The trail then descends gently towards the valleys, where beech and pine forests provide welcome shade and coolness. The route passes near traditional hamlets and farms, reflecting the pastoral and agricultural way of life that is still very much present in the region.
Arriving in Avèze, a small and picturesque village, provides an ideal place to rest. Its stone houses, narrow streets and peaceful atmosphere offer a glimpse into rural life on the Causse Noir and a chance to recharge before the next stages.
Highlights:
Le Vigan
• Cévenol Museum
• Château d’Assas
• The old bridge spanning the Arre River
• Saint-Pierre Church in Le Vigan
• Historic private mansions
From Avèze, the trail continues across the plateaus of the Causse Noir, offering sweeping views over the surrounding valleys and neighbouring plateaus. The air is scented with thyme, heather and wild grasses, while the wind regularly sweeps across the landscape, enhancing the feeling of space and freedom.
The trail then gradually descends towards the Cirque de Navacelles, a spectacular natural site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steep limestone cliffs, deep gorges and the winding river create a breathtaking landscape. The route alternates between exposed sections, pine forests and meadows, dotted with dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths that bear witness to the region’s pastoral heritage.
Arriving at the Cirque de Navacelles offers a spectacular panoramic view over the entire site, with villages nestled at the bottom of the cirque and terraced fields sculpting the valley. It is the perfect place to take in the region’s natural grandeur and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Highlights:
Montardier
• The Château
• Menhirs
Navacelles
• Cirque de Navacelles – Grand Site de France
• The waterfall at the bottom of the cirque
From the Cirque de Navacelles, the trail gradually climbs back up towards the limestone plateaus, alternating between rocky sections and grassy meadows. The dry air is scented with aromatic herbs, thyme and heather.
The route passes through traditional hamlets and farms, reminders of the area’s pastoral and agricultural heritage. Dry-stone walls and traditional livestock paths punctuate the landscape, bearing witness to centuries of pastoral practices on the causse.
As you approach La Vacquerie, the plateau becomes gentler, with grassy areas that are ideal for a break. The small village of Saint-Martin-de-Castries then comes into view, with its stone houses and narrow streets, offering a glimpse into rural life on the causse and a welcoming place for hikers to rest.
Please note: Due to a rockfall in the Vis Gorges, a diversion has been put in place to reach Saint-Maurice-de-Navacelles.
Highlights:
• The Vis Gorges
From Saint-Martin-de-Castries, the trail climbs onto the limestone plateaus, offering sweeping, sunlit views over the surrounding valleys and plateaus. The air is scented with thyme, heather and wild herbs, while the breeze accompanies hikers along the way, enhancing the feeling of freedom and open space.
Crossing the Cirque de l’Infernet is the highlight of this stage. Steep limestone cliffs, deep ravines and the winding river create a spectacular landscape. The trail alternates between rocky sections, meadows and woodland, offering a wonderful variety of scenery and viewpoints. It is a chance to fully appreciate the wild and natural beauty of the causse.
As you descend towards Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the landscape gradually becomes gentler. The medieval village appears at the bottom of the valley, nestled between the hills and crossed by the river. Its cobbled streets, stone houses and traditional shops provide a welcoming arrival after several days of hiking.
Highlights:
• Mont Saint-Baudille
• Cirque de l’Infernet
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
• Notre-Dame des Grâces Hermitage
• Calvary of the Three Crosses
• Gellone Abbey
• Lorimy House façade
• Château du Géant
• Prison Tower
• Museum of Village Life in Days Gone By
A shuttle will be waiting for you at 10:30 am to take you back to Aumont-Aubrac. Arrival is scheduled for around 2:00 pm, depending on road conditions and any stops along the way.
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 – Max dimensions : L + W + H : 120cm)
- Your digital travel and guidebook
- The guidebook (1 copy per 3 travelers)
- Return to Aumont-Aubrac by regular shuttle
- Telephone assistance
Available options:
- Multi-risk cancellation & luggage insurance
- Single room
- No return from Staint-Guilhem-le-Désert
- prient digital application
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:
- If you want to hike and carry your own backpack
- If you don’t want to take the return shuttle to Aumon-Aubrac
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 Saint-Guilhem 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 choose a trip offered on a half-board basis, generally including dinner (single set menu in most cases) and breakfast (please note breakfast may be continental or international-style depending on the accommodation), we invite you to let us know of any food allergies or special dietary requirements. Establishments are normally able to cater to travellers:
- with confirmed allergies (which may involve the immune system, with a risk of potentially severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock), such as allergies to honey, tree nuts or shellfish
- following a vegetarian diet (due to its complexity and the significant constraints it places on accommodation providers, we are unfortunately unable to organise trips catering to a vegan diet)
- following a diet for religious reasons
For intolerances (difficulty of the digestive system to process certain foods, with symptoms that are purely digestive, such as lactose or gluten) and dietary restrictions: we will inform accommodation providers in advance. However, some providers may find it difficult to accommodate the full range of increasingly common dietary requirements. We thank you in advance for adapting to the meals offered during your trip, and for bringing along any dietary supplements, gluten-free bread, etc., if needed.
Please note: additional charges may apply for special diets, depending on the conditions set by certain accommodation providers.
Whether you’d like to book your stay on the Stevenson Trail or have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
By train
Pssst! Aumont-Aubrac has a train station. What if this was an opportunity to limit our carbon footprint?
By car
Aumont-Aubrac is accessible via the A75 motorway from Clermont-Ferrand and Montpellier.
- Paris: 555 km
- Lyon: 300 km
- Clermont-Ferrand: 140 km
- Marseille: 360 km
- Toulouse: 250 km
- Montpellier: 195 km
Parking Free parking at the train station (unattended) Paid parking is available at the Gervais garage.
Now, it’s up to you to choose your means of transportation to reach your starting point!
with L'Autre Chemin
€800 / pers.
Introduction to the Saint-Guilhem path from Aumont-Aubrac to Sainte-Énimie
From Aumont-Aubrac to Sainte-Énimie
€1020 / pers.
Conclusion of the Saint-Guilhem trail from Sainte-Énimie to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
A path to enjoy the wide open spaces from Aubrac to Hérault
1595€ / pers.
Le Chemin de Saint-Guilhem par les Gorges du Tarn
Un chemin pour faire le plein de grands espaces de l'Aubrac à l'Hérault