- L’Autre Chemin
- Séjours
- The Saint-Guilhem trail
From €1480 / pers
with luggage transfer & journey back
The Saint Guilhem-le-Désert Trail
Do you love wide open spaces, endless landscapes, and the opportunity to discover a Grand Site de France? The Saint-Guilhem Trail is for you! A beautiful journey from the Aubrac plateaus to the Hérault region, passing through the incredible Cirque de Navacelles – a Grand Site de France – and also the Causses, which offer landscapes of powerful and unspoiled nature. An ancient transhumance route that allowed herds to ascend to the high, green meadows of the Aubrac region in the summer, it is also a pilgrimage route to Gellone Abbey before returning to the Arles Way of St. James. The Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert trail will take you through the high meadows of Aubrac from Aumont where you will first follow the Way of St. James to reach Nasbinals, Aubrac and Saint-Chély d’Aubrac. It is at the pilgrims’ bridge that you will leave the GR65 to reach the Croix de la Rode, then the wild gorges of the Tarn, the Causses of Sauveterre, of Méjean. Your path will take you to the Cirque de Navacelles and further on the upper valley of the Hérault for your arrival at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert where you will discover a magnificent village and the Abbey of Gellone.
Two options to choose from:
- 14-day Saint-Guilhem Trail with luggage transport and return included
- 13-day Saint-Guilhem Trail (non-stop to Les Nivoliers – Direct stage from Ste-Énimie to Meyrueis, i.e., 30 km – 900 m ascent – 7 hours 45 minutes) with luggage transport and return included
[WEBRESA]
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: 5,910 m
- Self-guided hike (you choose your departure point and go solo, with family, or with friends)
- Fairly challenging route, averaging 6 hours of walking
- Accommodation: in a private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation)
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)
Your walk offers endless landscapes, burons, and water. It's all there; you're walking through a real postcard. Incredible Aubrac!
Discover:
• La Chaze de Peyre
> The church
> The Romanesque church
> The Bès River
• Rieutord d'Aubrac
> The village
You're walking through the heart of the meadows and now entering the Aveyron department. You'll reach the magnificent village of Aubrac before heading towards the charming village of Saint-Chély d'Aubrac.
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 Saint-Chély d'Aubrac by crossing the pilgrims' bridge, which has been trodden by many footsteps. Then you'll have to climb to reach the high plateaus. Now things are quieter, as many hikers have stayed on the GR65. A beautiful stage between pastures, forests, and panoramic views.
Long stage tip: If you wish, you can shorten the stage by calling a taxi from St-Chely to take you to Les Infrux (-4km) or, if you are staying at the Auberge du Radal, opt for the shuttle from the Bonnecombe Pass to Le Trébatut (-7km).
Discover:
> The Montorzier Peat Bog
> The Croix de la Rode
> Mailhebiau Signal - the roof of Aubrac
> The impression of a grassy desert and stones
This morning, you'll begin your walk with a rather downhill section to reach Saint-Germain-du-Teil before reaching La Canourgue, your stop for the day.
Discover:
• Saint-Germain-du-Teil
> Le Clos du Nid - Large Building
• Banassac
> The Banassac Archaeological Museum
> The ruins of Canilhac Castle
> The ruins of Montferrand Castle
• La Canourgue
> The canals
> Saint-Etienne Castle
> The narrow streets
> The Chapel of Saint-Frézal
> The Clock Tower
It will take courage to climb from La Canourgue to the Causse de Sauveterre. You pass through the village of Champerboux before sliding down the fault carved by the Tarn River to reach Sainte-Enimie, a village that truly leaves its mark.
Discover:
> Dolmen of Chardonnet
> Dolmens of La Rouvière, La Cham, and Trois Seigneurs
• Champerboux
> The village's Cossard architecture
> Menhir du Bac
• Sainte-Enimie - Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France
> The village's medieval atmosphere
> The Tarn River
> The Hermitage of Princess Enimie
> The Monastery
> The Church of Notre-Dame du Gourg
3, 2, 1... It's time to climb to the fabulous Causse Méjean. The climb offers unique panoramas of the Tarn Gorges... The Causse Méjean offers almost desert-like landscapes between pastures and rocks. Soon, Meyrueis and the Jonte Gorges await you at the end of a challenging and magnificent stage, traversed by the landscapes.
Discover:
• Hures-la-Parade
> the Causse
> The dolmens
> Przewalski's horses
Continue your walk along the Causse, home to Przewalski's horses, and soon Meyrueis and the Jonte Gorges await you, at the end of an incredible change of scenery.
Discover:
• Hures-la-Parade
> La Rode Protohistoric Enclosure
> The Dolmens
> The Caussenarde Farm
• Meyrueis
> The Descent to the Jonte Gorges
> The Clock Tower
> Saint-Pierre Church and the Protestant Temple
Today, the scenery changes as you return to forested landscapes as you head further to Camprieu. Further on, you'll enjoy views of the Aigoual Massif Valley.
Discover:
> Roquedols Castle
> The Aigoual Forest
• Camprieu
> The Lake of Happiness - Camprieu
> The Valley of Happiness and the remains of Notre-Dame du Bonheur
You'll lose altitude to reach Aulas and then Le Vigan. Take your time ;-). You'll continue your hike alongside the river and its waterfalls. You'll reach the village of Avèze.
Discover
• Le Vigan
> The Cévenol Museum
> Assas Castle
> The old bridge spanning the castle
> Saint-Pierre Church in Le Vigan
> Private hotels
The highlight of the Saint-Guilhem Trail: the Cirque de Navacelles! This section is a bit exposed for walkers prone to vertigo, but if you take your time, there's no reason to ;-)
Discover:
• Montardier
> The Château
> The standing stones
• Navacelles
> The Cirque de Navacelles - Grand Site de France
> The waterfall at the bottom of the cirque
A beautiful start following the Vis Gorges. After a steep climb, you'll reach the village of Saint-Maurice de Navacelles. From here, take the GR74 to La Vacquerie and Saint-Martin de Castries.
Note: Due to a landslide in the Vis Gorges, a diversion has been implemented to reach Saint-Maurice de Navacelles.
Discover:
> The Vis Gorges
Today's final stop will take you to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and its treasures, along the GR74 and GR7 trails, which will take you to Mont Saint-Baudille, offering spectacular views, and then along the Cirque de l'Infernet.
Discover:
> Mont Saint-Baudille
> The Cirque de l'Infernet
• Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
> Hermitage of Our Lady of Graces
> The Calvary of the Three Crosses
> Gellone Abbey
> The facade of the Lorimy House
> The Giant's Castle
> The Prison Tower
> The Museum of the Village of Yesteryear
End of your stay where you will be expected at 10:30 a.m. for your return shuttle to Aumont-Aubrac (Arrival expected at 2 p.m. depending on road conditions and stages on the route).
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 (excluding the Puy-en-Velay stopover, which includes overnight stays and breakfast)
- Tourist taxes
- Luggage transport (maximum 13 kg/person)
- 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 insurance
- Single room
- Direct stage from Dainte-Énimie to Meyrueis
- No return from Staint-Guilhem-le-Désert
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 the Stevenson Trail and carry your own backpack : Enjoy a €105 discount on your trip.
If you don’t want to take the return shuttle to Aumon-Aubrac: Enjoy a €55 discount on your trip.
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.
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
€780 / pers.
with luggage transfer & return
Introduction to the Saint-Guilhem path from Aumont-Aubrac to Sainte-Énimie
From Aumont-Aubrac to Sainte-Énimie
€995 / pers.
With luggage transfer & journey back
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
1570€ / pers.
Tout compris : 1/2 pens*, sac & retour
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