€800 / pers.
With luggage transfer

An accessible hike to discover the magnificent landscapes of the Mézenc highlands - Parc Values Labeled trek.
Distance
90km
Duration
7 days
Steps
Stages from 15km to 19km
Le Mont-Mézenc vu depuis les Boutières

Hiking around the Mézenc

A hiking tour to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in Haute-Loire and the Ardèche Mountains. You’ll explore trails between Ardèche and Haute-Loire, discovering breathtaking landscapes, moors ideal for raising Fin Gras du Mézenc cheese, and the intertwined colors of unspoiled and preserved nature (broom, flowers, meadows, streams, etc.).

A hiking trip, a volcanic interlude to recharge your batteries through the vastness of the landscapes, the simplicity of the encounters, and the taste of the land.

Check out our tips to help you plan your hike.

[WEBRESA]

Highlights of your trek

  •  A hike that takes you from village to village, discovering the panoramas, rural heritage, and the inhabitants of these rustic and authentic regions.
  • You travel independently and follow the provided travel guide.
  • 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 journey
Etapes du séjour Rando autour du Mézenc

Highlights of your stay

  • Elevation gain: 2,525 m
  • Self-guided hike, you choose your departure point
  • Trip without any particular technical difficulties
  • Family: Children 12 years and older (depending on motivation)
  • Accommodation: Private room (B&B, cottage, hotel, or alternative accommodation)
  • What’s the climate like? See our Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that every stopover is given as an indication and may be modified according to the availability of accommodation 

Séjour à vélo électrique au Monastier sur Gazeille
Day 1: Your arrival in Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille

Discover the small, characterful town of Monastier-sur-Gazeille. An iconic hiking village, it features the Stevenson Trail, the Saint-Régis Trail, and the Tour du Massif du Mézenc & Gerbier-de-Jonc.
You will be expected at your accommodation from 4 p.m.

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 Monastier Treasure
> The Recoumène Viaduct

Le viaduc de Recoumène - Photo Schappeler
Day 2: Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille - Le Béage - 19km - D+685m - 5h30 de marche

Your first day of hiking takes you across volcanic plateaus offering incredible views... The Ardèche and Lozère regions unfold before your eyes. You walk alongside cows peacefully grazing on cistre (the emblematic grass of the Mézenc highlands), while horses graze in the pasture...
Photo: Schappeler

Discover:
• Longetrée
>The Longetraye Cave

• Le Béage
>The Church of Saint-Pierre

le Mont-Fol, massif du Mézenc
Day 3: Le Béage - Les Estables- 18km - D+580m - 5h de marche

Return to the foothills of the Mézenc. Your route will be punctuated by magnificent landscapes of the surrounding peaks, particularly the Montfol peak and the Lauzière peak. You will then pass through the Bois des Seigneurs. You will then reach the Col de la Clède, which will take you to the heights of the Cirque des Boutières (Géosite). Soon you will reach Les Estables...

Discover:
> The Montfol peak
> The peaks of Mont Chaulet
> The panorama of the Cirque des Boutières

• Les Estables
> The Croix de Pécata – starting point for the Mézenc climb
> The Croix de Boutières – An incredible view
> The Mézenc apiaries
> The GAEC farm at La Bonne Fourque
> The church of Les Estables

Grande randonnée au coeur du Massif du Mézenc
Day 4: Les Estables- Fay-sur-Lignon - 19km - D+590m - 5h de marche

Gain altitude by reaching the Col de La Croix de Peccata and the summit of Mont-Mézenc (alternative route). You then reach La Croix de Boutières before descending towards the Col de Médille through the broom and forest. Soon you will climb back up towards the volcanic narces of Chaudeyrolles under the watchful eye of Mont-Signon before reaching the village of Fay-sur-Lignon.

Discover:
• The ascent of Mont-Mézenc

• Chaudeyrolles
> The Maison du Fin Gras
> Mont-Signon
> The narces

• Fay-sur-Lignon:
> The Saint Régis fountain
> The Place du Foiral
> Various producers: honey, trout, jams

Epilobes et Massif du Mézenc
Day 5: Fay-sur-Lignon – Moudeyres – 19km - D+390m - 5h de marche

Leave the stunning village of Fay-sur-Lignon perched on its promontory. Cross the Lignon trout river to reach the Roches de Fay. Soon, you'll discover the volcanic lake of Saint-Front and the 12th-century church that radiates from the center of the village. The next part of the path leads you to Moudeyres and its thatched roofs across volcanic plateaus.

Discover:
• Saint-Front
> The typical highland village
> The Souteyros waterfall
> The 12th-century Romanesque church
> The volcanic lake

• Moudeyres
> The Perrel Brothers Museum
> The village and its thatched roofs
> The two houses of La Béate

Etang des Barthes de Freycenet-la-Tour
Day 6: Moudeyres – Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille 15km - D+280m - 3h de marche

From Moudeyres, you reach the charming Etang des Barthes (Barthes Pond) on the heights of Freycenet-la-Tour. You then easily follow the Chemin de Saint-Régis (Saint-Régis Trail), which leads you to the cultural city of the highlands.

Discover:
• Freycenet-la-Tour
> 11th-century church
> Etang des Barthes (Barthes Pond)

Panorama sur les hauteurs du Monastier-sur-Gazeille
Day 7: Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille

End of our services after breakfast

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
  • Travel Journal and IGN Top 25 Map (1 copy per 3 travelers, sent to the group leader)

  • Telephone assistance

Available options:

  • Multi-risk cancellation insurance
  • Single room

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

Arriving in Le Puy by train?

No problem, we offer a round-trip transfer between Le Puy and Monastier-sur-Gazeille: +€60 round-trip per person.

Want to enjoy a charming stay in Moudeyres ?

Hostel Pré Bossu: +€50 per person

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.

Whether you’d like to book your trek or have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.








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