Stevenson trail: the second half, across Mont Lozere & though the Cevennes
Key Facts
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Eight nights, with seven days walking and arrivals any day from April to late October.
- Rated one of the World's top Travel Adventures by Forbes Traveler - who recommend The Enlightened Traveller as your hosts for the tour. Click to see what they say here.
Please click through the following points or scroll down the page. Alternatively, click the flyer image below to download and read the tour in pdf format.
a) Theme
Stevenson Trail Part Two retraces the steps taken by The Scot from La Bastide to St Jean over the magnificent Mont Lozere and through Cevennes - a journey of 120 kilometres or around 80 miles.
On Stevenson Trail Part Two you will enjoy fabulous scenery and fine food in the best hotels the trail has available. If you have never walked a long distance path before, or you are new to trekking France, walking the Stevenson Trail is your ideal introduction - one of the best walking holidays in France and what Forbes Traveller considers one of the world's top-ten most famous travel adventures.
b) Further Information
i) Trekking the Stevenson trail Part 1, or
ii) Trekking the Stevenson Trail - for the complete walking tour, or
c) Model Programme: The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, Part Two.
Day 1. La Bastide Puylaurent.
Arrival and hotel check-in. A short hike to a notable nearby Monastery where Stevenson stayed is an option for early arrivals!
Night in La Bastide
Day 2. La Bastide to Chasseradès. 8 miles-12 kms.
You climb to the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and head down valley to picturesque Chasseradès.
Night in Chasseradès.
Day 3. Chasseradès to Bleymard. 10.5 miles-16 kms.
You climb into Goulet Forest, and enter the Cevennes proper with some great views, before following the Lot from near its source to Les Alpiers and onto Bleymard, where you enter the Cevennes.
Night in Bleymard.
Day 4. Le Bleymard to Pont de Montvert. 12 miles-18 kms.
A memorable ascent to Mont Lozere, and the highest point in south-central France, Le Pic de Finiels (1699 ms). Then it’s a steep descent to Le Pont de Montvert and Camisard Country.
Night in Pont de Montvert.
Day 5. Pont de Montvert to Florac. 16.5 miles-25 kms, with shorter option.
The longest day is blessed with some memorable views over the waves of Cevennes hills as you walk mountain crest, crossing from Mediterranean to Alpine flora and back along the watershed.
Night in Florac.
Day 6. Florac to Cassagnas. 11 miles-16.5 kms.
You enter the red rock Mimente Valley, pass the ruins of the château at St. Julien d'Arapon en route to the village of Cassagnas, a Camisard stronghold.
Night in Cassagnas.
Day 7. Cassagnas to St Germain de Calberte. 8 miles-12 kms.
You climb out of the valley to 1000 metres, through chestnut groves and onto menhirs and dolmen, before reaching Pierre Plantée Pass and your overnight stay shortly after.
Night in St Germain.
Day 8. St Germain to St. Jean du Gard. 14 miles-21 kms.
A memorable last-day's trek that has you walking the Corniche des Cevennes and climbing to a 360 degree vantage point for those last-gasp photos. The sharp descent to the Gardon Valley is a fitting finale.
Night in St. Jean du Gard.
Day 9. End of your trek.
A memorable trek has brought you to St Jean, where you may wish to stay an extra night and enjoy some of the delights of this busy market town, with castle, museums and plenty of cafes and restaurants. Or simply relax by the heated outdoor pool?
d) Access
The most convenient access is via Nimes by train or plane, with Avignon, Marseille or Montpellier as alternatives. You then ride Le Cévenol to La Bastide via Ales. Please contact us for further details.
You can also leave your car with us in Ales and collect it upon your return.
e) Accommodation
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Five 2-star character hotels, a 1-star hotel, a 3-star hotel and a homely chambre d'hote;
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all with restaurants and two with out-door pools.
Note: we reserve the right to slighty alter the above, depending on availability, whilst maintaining the same general quality level of accommodation.
f) What's included or not
Included
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8 nights B & B
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7 picnic lunches and 7 evening meals - leaving you free to dine out wherever you wish in St Jean.
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Luggage transfers¹ integral to the programme.
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Cell-phone loan for non-Europeans if required, subject to availability.
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Car parking in Ales for the duration of your trek where required*
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Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
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Themed vacation dossier & 1:25,000 maps
- Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup.
Not included
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Remaining meals
- Personal expenses
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Entrances into optional cultural visits and venues
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Travel, walking and personal insurance
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Single rooms – unless booking at single person rate
¹ Important note: You are entitled to take one piece of luggage per person, each weighing up to 16 kgs. Supplements are payable for extra or overweight luggage.
* Parking is at customer's risk.
g) Price 2010: The RL Stevenson trail - Part Two
Price per person based on 2 persons sharing double room: £795.00 or €860.00
Single person rate: £935.00 or €1025.00