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Near medieval Garde-Guerin
a) Theme
A long distance walking tour of France and a fine trekking trail. Best of St-Giles brings you the highlights of the Hexagon's most notable historic trail, recently rescucitated after fifty years of research by one Frenchman, Marcel Girault. The trail is a distance of around 95 miles or 152 kms, and offers seven days of excellent hiking. You commence in Le Puy en Velay and finish in Ales, with an optional four-day extention to St Gilles du Gard, or five or six-day extention to the Mediterranean coast, on demand.
This long distance walking tour of France comprises a mix of countryside walking and linear settlement rambling. Best of St-Giles is a well-balanced trek comprising four days of isolated volcanic upland trekking, fused with three days of descent into the heart of the Cevennes. It's the ultimate French history lesson, and features the best accommodation available en route, to boot.
You experience the delights of the Auvergne, Lozere and the eastern Cevennes, whilst enjoying a master-class in French history, from the Middle Ages to The Industrial Revolution.
b) Further Information
This long distance walking tour of France can be customised to your needs. The walking-day lengths, number of stages and the tour duration is thus tailored to suit you. Furthermore, a discounted rate is available on demand for backpackers preferring to carry their own luggage and cater for themselves en route. This is particularly appropriate if you are a vegetarian or vegan.
Day 1. Le Puy.
Arrival and hotel check-in. A visit to Le Puy merits a day's stay itself, so much history is there here to enjoy.
Night in Le Puy.
Day 2. Le Puy to Costaros. 13 miles-19 kms.
You climb up to over 1100 metres, cross the volcanic plateau through a series of hamlets and nine centuries of history to Chadernac castle, before descending to Costeros.
Day 3. Costaros to Pradelles. 12 miles-18 kms
The black ash volcanic trails are replaced by terra roxa, as you climb gently from Auverge into Lozere before descending through Knights of the Templar country and over the 'Pont des Anglais' en route to the granite charm of medieval Pradelles.
Night in Pradelles.
Day 4. Pradelles to La Bastide.16.5 miles-25 kms.
Two historically-sound routes exist for today's trek, according to the weather and your preferences. This is the longest and most demanding of the days walking.
Night in La Bastide.
Day 5. La Bastide to Villefort. 10.5 miles-16 kms.
You walk the volcanic plateau to a medieval village on the Chaussezac gorge and then onto Lake Villefort. This day will remain in your hiking memory for the rest of your life.
Night in Villefort.
Day 6. Villefort to Genolhac. 11 miles-15 kms.
There's the chance to visit a clifftop chapel, subject of its own pilgrimage, before you enter the Gard via the villages at the foot of Mont Lozere, see the source of the River Ceze and visit typical linear settlements en route with their unique Roman churches.
Night in Genolhac.
Day 7. Genholac to Portes. 11.75 miles-17 kms.
March from the Huguenot stronghold through the countryside of the Cevennes' most famous writer, J-P Chabrol. The Chamborigaud viaduct is impressive and the site of Portes Castle a reminder of its strategic position as the northern gateway to The Cevennes.
Night near Portes.
Day 8. Portes to Alès. 14.5 miles-22 kms.
You descend over 400 metres along the watershed between the Ceze and the Gardon valleys, through villages and hamlets to the industrial heartland of The Cevennes, Alès.
Day 9.