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 Day 1 – Flight and transfer to Le Puy en Velay.
We recommend you fly to Lyon, then transfer to Le Puy en Velay (625m). Details on how to commute from Lyon airport to Le Puy en Velay can be found in “Additional Information”, together with an option to be transferred directly by One Foot Abroad. Le Puy is a pleasant town with about 20,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the Velay area, which we’ll traverse during our walk.
Although the walk starts tomorrow from Le Monastier sur Gazeille (930m), One Foot Abroad still caters for you from Le Puy. This way, you can buy your last minute items, enjoy this welcoming town and rest after a long day travelling.
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Our hotel is a modern 2* hotel, 5 minutes walk from the train station. It is a member of the famous quality label “Logis de France”. Dinner is a culinary delight; expect a menu inspired by the traditions of the region. Spacious room, en-suite.
Meal: 3 course dinner
Day 2 – Transfer to le Monastier sur Gazeille and walk to Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas [5h15, 21.5km, +370m -275m]. In the morning, we transfer you from Le Puy en Velay (625m) to Le Monastier sur Gazeille (930m) (included). In 1878 some village folk waved goodbye to Stevenson from this very spot. Although he was warned about “wolves, cold, thieves and death”, we assue you that nowadays, a walk in the Cevennes is rather more tame! In Goudet (785m), we cross a small river that has its source in near-by Mont Gerbier des Joncs. At this stage, it’s hard to believe that this small river is, in fact, the Loire – the longest river in France (1012km).
Town, Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: Lovely 2* hotel by the shore of the lake, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 3 – From Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas to Langogne [6h00, 25km, +218m -328m]. Today is our last day in the Velay area. After crossing the Allier river we reach Langogne (915m, pop 3000). Here, the memory of the “ferocious beast”, a wolf that allegedly terrorised the inhabitants, lives on in the stories of the locals. Stevenson’s descriptions describe the area in wonderful detail. Indeed, Langogne remains a beautiful town with its 11th-century Romanesque church. Nowadays, Langogne is one of the main gateways to the Cevennes, with all amenities for visitors.
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: family-run Gite, all facilities.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 4 – From Langogne to Cheylard l’Evque [4h15, 16km, +210m -0m] . Today we enter a new administrative department; from Haute Loire to Loz¨re, and a new administrative region; from Auvergne to Languedoc-Roussillon. Christian will welcome you to Cheylard l’Evªque (1125m). Quite the intrepid traveller himself, Christian will certainly make you feel welcome at his home. Ask him about the Arctic, Alaska and the Himalayas, not to mention Paris, New York and Tijuana!
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
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DAY 5 – From Cheylard l’Evªque to La Bastide Puylaurent [4h45, 19km, +53m -154m] . Today, we take it relatively easy. After 3 hours walk, we reach Luc (971m) where we can visit the castle. In 1380, the 3 lords of the area of Luc won a battle against a belligerent English force. After Luc, the path straddles 2 departments; Ard¨che and Loz¨re. Further on, in Rogleton (990m), you can go directly to your hotel (45 min walk) or, if you feel like it, you can continue some 8 km to the “Trappe de Notre Dame des Neiges” (1091m, 2hr45). This will result in a walking day of around 7h30 and 27km in total.
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 6 – From La Bastide Puylaurent to Le Bleymard [6h45, 28 km, +162m -117m]. This stage brings us through the Gevaudan, still in the Loz¨re department. After 3h, we reach the lovely village of Chasserades (1150m) with its viaduct. We’re approaching the Mont-Loz¨re (1699m) and the national park of the Cevennes.
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel “logis de France”. En-suite room with great views.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 7 – From Le Bleymard to Le Pont de Montvert [6h00, 18 km, +630m -824m]. For many walkers, today is a major highlight on Stevenson’s trail, as we climb up to the highest point of the route at “Le Sommet de Finiels” (1699m). This is also the highest summit in the Mont Loz¨re area. Stand atop the mountain and inhale the fresh air; here is a place for contemplation. Next we head south to Le Pont de Montvert (875m, pop 280), a small village with plenty of charm and character sistuated on the Tarn river.
Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Hotel: 2* hotel in the centre of the village. En-suite.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 8 – From Le Pont de Montvert to Florac [7h00, 28 km, +205m -534m]. Welcome to the Camisards country! In historical terms, this is a very interesting part of the trail for it was here that the Camisards war between Protestant groups and Catholic missionaries began at the start of the 18th century. Florac (546m, pop 2100) is the centre of the Cevennes National Park, classified by UNESCO.
In Florac, we’ve selected a superb 2* hotel “logis de France”, with a great gastronomic tradition.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 9 – From Florac to Saint Germain de Calberte [7h00, 29 km, +345m -402m]. There are several menhirs along this route. You can, if you wish, detour up Mont Mars for a view over this heavily forested area. The ubiquitous chestnut tree once provided the staple diet for the local populations.
Accommodation: Gite, dormitory-style lodgings.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 course dinner
DAY 10 – Saint Germain de Calberte to Saint Jean du Gard [6h00 20.5 km +371m -671m]. Today, you will walk some of the way on a paved road, “Corniche des Cevennes”, that was built for the military during the reign of Louis XIV. As you descend from the Cevennes into the Midi, you will be able to appreciate a marked change in the landscape. Forests and rocky surroundings begin to give way to vineyards. Some stay on in Gard for an extra night as it is a pleasant town to explore. There are steam train rides from the station at weekends and several museums to visit.
Town: ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel “logis de France”.
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch & 3 Course dinner.
DAY 11 – End of the Adventure: Ales.
Town: ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel “logis de France”, in the heart of the town.
Meal: Breakfast
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Hotel en-suite Full Board Available Apr to Oct €990
