Stevenson Trail: GR70
From Haute-Loire to Gard, follow in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine through the Cevennes.
Twelve days on the Stevenson Trail (GR70), in the footsteps of the Scottish writer who crossed the Cévennes with his donkey Modestine in 1878. The route links Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Le Bleymard via Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas and Langogne, across the high plateaus of the Velay and the Cévennes ridges. It's a literary, wild hike, among shepherds' huts, forests, rivers and stone villages. Many walkers hire a pack donkey to carry the luggage, like Stevenson. Waymarking is good and lodgings regular, but book in summer. The best window runs May to October; some stages are long and remote, so bring water and snacks.
Practical info
- Stops
- 6
- Duration
- 12 days
- Transport
- 🥾 On foot
- Distance
- ≈ 120 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille
Point de depart historique de Stevenson en 1878, abbatiale et plateau volcanique du Velay.
- 2
Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
Village sur le lac volcanique du Bouchet, nuit en gite d'etape au coeur du Devez.
- 3
Langogne
Entree en Lozere, filature des Calquieres et halte avant les grands espaces du Gevaudan.
- 4
Le Bleymard
Au pied du Mont Lozere, dernier village avant l'ascension vers le sommet de Finiels a 1699 metres.
- 5
Florac
Porte des Cevennes et siege du Parc national, chateau et source du Pe de la Font.
- 6
Saint-Jean-du-Gard
Arrivee de Stevenson, musee des Vallees cevenoles, train a vapeur et marche du mardi.
