Last chance availability on popular trips: Browse here

 

Stevenson's Trail South

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.7 Read 28 reviews
  • The Cevenne National Park, a maze of deep valleys with forested slopes and winding rivers
  • Fields of colourful wildflowers, outstanding vistas and off-the-beaten-path trails
  • The pretty town of Florac, located in a fantastic position overlooking the Tarnon river valley
  • Picnic lunches of crusty baguette, local cheeses and a full-bodied vin rouge
  • Walk through Camisards (Huguenots) country and pass mysterious standing stones
Walk the southern section of the Stevenson's Trail through tranquil landscapes and the stunning Cevennes National Park. Recreate the second half of author Robert Louis Stevenson's literary journey, but with extra comfort and perhaps more company that just a donkey! Wandering these serene landscapes enables to you to see this region of France in all its glory; the rolling hills and river valleys of the Cevennes, small villages and hamlets, locally grown wine and delicious gastronomy. Stop for a picnic lunch whilst soaking in the views and listening to the sound of bird song, and enjoy meeting the locals with a hearty "bonjour".
This moderately rated walking tour is perfect for literary fans, Francophiles and for those just looking to get away from it all. Following the trails in this part of rural France and in the Cevennnes, can feel like taking a step back to a simpler time. You really will be walking off-the-beaten-path with time to reflect and absorb these dramatic landscapes.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Long-Distance Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is rated moderate because some of the daily walks are relatively long over rough tracks and the terrain is very hilly in some parts. You will need to be in good physical condition to complete the walks on this itinerary. The trails follow ancient footpaths, sheep tracks and drove roads over basalt, granite, schist and limestone and in some sections the rocks can be loose underfoot. You will therefore need to be surefooted. Where possible the route avoids paved roads.

Navigation

You will be following the GR70, (GR - Grande Randonnée or main walking routes) which is clearly waymarked with the famous red and white stripes, whether on a passing tree, rock, or post. We supply a detailed guidebook and the route is also in the Macs Adventure Smartphone App so navigation is generally easy. Heavy rains, winds and fog do sometimes affect sections of the trail, and in the winter higher ground can be snow-covered at the beginning and end of the walking season.

Accommodations

The accommodation is a mixture of B&B’s, auberges and small hotels. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality. Occasionally, due to availability and the nature of this walk, there may not be accommodation right on the path - in which case you will be collected and transferred to your accommodation for the night, or in some cases, it may be the same hotel you stayed in the night before.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.

We also welcome solo walkers on the Stevenson's Trail. Whereas solo walkers are usually a solo supplement which is higher than a single supplement, the cost of this tour is the same. So as a solo walker you are simply paying a supplement ot have a single room, making this tour very inexpensive for solo customers.

Meals

The delicious French food and wine available locally is undoubtedly a highlight of this holiday. The price of your tour includes continental breakfast each morning with tea, coffee or hot chocolate, homemade jams, local bread and either yogurt, cheese, fruit or ham depending on local availability. Dinner is included also is usually served from 7.30pm onwards. and consists of the meal of the day. Most accommodations do not offer a choice of menu unless you pay a supplement.

Lunch is not included, however, all your hosts will prepare a packed lunch if you let them know a couple of days in advance for 7-10€ approx. pp. or you can pick up a crusty baguette, some fantastic local cheese, sweet ripe fruit and picnic en route. Be sure to depart in the morning with a full water bottle.

Included
  • Overnights in B&B’s, auberges and small hotels
  • Daily breakfasts
  • Daily dinners
  • Baggage Transfers
  • Transfers as per your itinerary
  • A detailed information pack including route notes and maps
  • Access to maps, GPX tracks on the Macs Adventure Smartphone Navigation App
  • 24/7 Emergency support from our local partners and UK office
Excluded
  • Lunches, snacks or drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel to/from the start and end locations
  • Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Extras
  • Additional nights' accommodation

When To Go

This tour is available to start on any day between mid-April to the end of October. Spring in Southern France is delightful, but a late winter will mean snow on the highest points of the route and blustery gales! April, May and June are absolutely lovely and the wildflowers are at their best. September & October are special as the landscape takes on its an autumnal pallet of reds and golds, you can gather chestnuts in the south and the panoramic views have lazy late summer feeling, while we can get some spectacular thunderstorms rolling over. July and August can be very hot so you will have to start early to miss the heat of the day, although the towns are bustling.

Getting to the Start

The best airports to fly into to reach Chasserades is either Nimes or Clermont Ferrand (Approx 4H journey). These airports offer connections from London or Paris. Chasserades has a train station so you can reach it from many different places, with connections. Please check the SCNF website for further information on exact time trains and schedules.  

When making your travel plans, if you can avoid travelling on a weekend or a public holiday then this will make it easier for you, as making connections on French trains on these days is much more difficult.

If you wish to drive you can park you will have no problem parking your car in Chasserades as it is a very small place. On completion of your tour in St Jean du Gard you can take a shuttle bus run by La Malle Postale. If you want to do this you need to book as early as possible as they can get very busy during the height of the season. We can also provide a private transfer if you wish.

Getting from the End

The closest train station to the end of your tour in St Jean du Gard is Ales Train Station. There are buses that run between these two places. You will find the schedules here. However the bus runs infrequently, therefore we recommend taking a taxi as it is only a short distance. More information can be found in your information pack. From Ales you can take trains to Nimes where you can take a TGV to Paris. You can also travel to Lyon from Ales if you are flying from here.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation to your next overnight stop. The weight of your bags is restricted to 13kg per bag, this is due to the health and safety regulations of the bag transfer company, and also takes into account the many fragile bridges that they need to cross which have weight limits. If you bag weighs more than 13kg, or if you have more than one bag then there is the possibility that you will have to pay a supplement.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sunhat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?
How fit do I need to be?
How do the baggage transfers work?
What personal equipment do I need?
When is the best time of year?
Do I need to speak French?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Chasserades and overnight Day 2 Walk Chasserades to Le Bleymard 11 miles / 17 km Day 3 Walk Le Bleymard to Pont de Montvert 12 miles / 19 km Day 4 Walk Pont de Montvert to Florac 17 miles / 28 km Day 5 Walk Florac to Cassagnas 12 miles / 19 km Day 6 Walk Cassagnas to St Etienne Valle Francaise 16 miles / 26 km Day 7 Walk St Etienne Valle Francaise to St Jean du Gard 8 miles / 12 km Day 8 Onward travel

The Macs Way

  • Tried & Tested Adventures Tried & Tested Adventures
  • Freedom Freedom
  • Book with Confidence Book with Confidence
  • Expertise Expertise
  • Positive Impact Positive Impact
Built with our expert knowledge, to suit you.
  • Knowledgeable and helpful specialist trip planners
  • Wide variety of tours to suit all interests and experience levels
  • Start on any date that suits you
  • Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
  • Range of accommodation comfort levels
  • Choice of trip styles
Authentic adventure travel experiences on your own terms
  • Choose your own travel companions
  • Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
  • Make your own decisions
  • Choose your own path
  • Indulge your passions
Feel secure in making the right choice for your precious adventure time
  • 18,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
  • Feefo Platinum Award 2023
  • 25,000+ travelers trust us each year
  • As featured in the Guardian, Times, Nat Geo Traveler
  • Founder owned & operated since 2003
  • 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
You can be confident that every detail of your journey has been expertly planned
  • Carefully planned adventures
  • Quality, hand-picked accommodations
  • Seamless and reliable arrangements
  • Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
  • Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
  • Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
Travel the right way and make a positive impact
  • Travel responsibly
  • Explore off the beaten track
  • Support locally owned businesses
  • Engage with local communities
  • Minimize your impact
  • Maximize the benefit of your travel
  • Challenge yourself & grow
Currency:
$ - USD - US Dollar
Country/Region name:
USAUSA