Male hiker walking a legendary section of the Very Best of Stevenson

Very Best of Stevenson 2024

Concise details on the Very Best of Stevenson tour can be obtained by downloading the tour pdf [right]. Alternatively, read the tour description below and click through the sub-headings in the right-hand column for information on access, accommodation, availability, content and prices.

And see why none other than The Times newspaper recommends us as your hosts for the experience. Please check out the independent customer reviews for the Stevenson Trail tour on the main Stevenson Trail page here.

V

ery Best of Stevenson Trail brings you the three most challenging days of the Robert Louis Stevenson trail France (GR70) – a sumptuous and unforgettable 45-mile/72-km trek into the heart of Cevennes. We grade this tour as ‘harder’ simply because you need to hit the ground running as there is no warm-up or lighter day to commence with. However, the challenge is largely in the length of two of the days rather than a question of tough ascents or descents. Nevertheless, if you have an extra night to spare, you might like to split the first day’s walking in two equal parts to enable you to lessen the load!

“It was amazing how you guys helped us out once we realized that we had made a mistake [with the dates-Ed]. I can’t tell you enough how Amanda and I appreciated that. You made a wonderful Very Best of Stevenson vacation even better. We both look forward to hiking with your company in the future.”

- Mr Dixon of the USA.

Very Best of Stevenson Trail commences with a ride along the magnificent Cevenol mountain railway line. A holiday in its own right – see our dedicated Cevenol tour – this ride sets the mood and gets you into position in an eco-friendly fashion.

The highlights of your tour include the Mirandol viaduct at Chasserades, walking by the source of the river Lot, the ascent to and descent from fabulous Mont Lozere, and the ‘chemin des crêtes’ that takes you over the crest of the Cevennes’ waves towards the ancient bourg of Florac.

Very Best of Stevenson Trail ensures you stay in the best accommodation that the trail has to offer in each of your four overnight stops and enjoy a memorable short walking break along a section of a classic French trail.

Very Best of Stevenson

  • Per person in a shared double or twin-bedded room:
    £595.00 Pounds Sterling or €695.00 Euros
Note: Please see the website to check for the latest Sterling prices and all prices are confirmed at the time of booking.
  • A ‘world’s top travel adventure’ by Forbes Traveler- who recommend The Enlightened Traveller – see ‘yellow highlighted’ link below.
  • Our tour is recommended by The Times: click here
  • Enjoy sub-alpine to Mediterranean flora and volcanic plateau to schist valley topography.
  • Hike fine Cevennes’ hill-crests and Mont Lozere – 5573 ft/1699 m.
  • Visit fascinating and historic villages en route.
  • 4-night, harder, self-guided tour
  • Start any day, beg. April to mid-October.
  • Tour starts in La Bastide and finishes in Florac.
  • Best access: Nimes. Then onward train to La Bastide via Ales [2 hours].
  • Welcoming mix of ‘2-star standard’ hotels and auberges/chambres d’hotes.
  • Optional taxi transfer to Ales at tour’s end – please ask us for details.
  • We transport your luggage, you just carry a light day pack.
  • 4 nights B & B in ‘2-star standard’ hotels and auberges and all relevant taxes
  • 4 evening meals.
  • Luggage transfers¹ integral to the programme.
  • Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
  • 1:50,000 scale maps & themed vacation dossier.
  • 7/7 Emergency telephone help-line service with native-English speaking local backup.

Notes:
¹ You are entitled to take one piece of luggage per person weighing up to 13 kgs. Supplements are payable for extra or overweight luggage.

Note: we are able to arrange for your excess luggage to be securely stored for the duration of your tour and delivered to the final hotel before your departure. Please ask us for further details of this service if it is of interest to you.

Not included:
Remaining meals and all drinks and extras;
personal expenses;
entrances into any optional cultural visits and venues;
hiking, personal and travel insurances;
travel to Le Puy and from Florac.

  • Enjoy a trip on Le Cevenol mountain railway, taking you from Nimes to La Bastide direct in approx. 2 hrs.
  • Nearest airport or TGV railway station is Nimes. Next-best access is via Avignon, Beziers, Lyon, Marseille or Montpellier airports, with onward TGV to Nimes.
  • Alternative convenient option is via Clermont-Ferrand airport or Gare SNCF [via Paris], with onward regional train to La Bastide in 3 hours.
  • Comfortable, family-run,’2-star standard’ hotels and one 3-star hotel.
  • En-suite facilities.
  • Evening meals follow a fixed menu format for all half-board guests and do not include drinks. Most hotel menus provide a meat or fish dish, plus a vegetarian option; whilst chambres d’hotes and auberges tend to function around one common meal of which all guests partake, bar vegetarians, who would have an alternative dish. All showcase ‘produits du terroirs’ typical of the regions through which you walk.
  • Warm summers; mild and sunny spring & autumn
  • Enjoy sub-alpine to Mediterranean flora and volcanic plateau to schist valley topography.
  • Cross four ‘natural’ historical regions – Velay, Gevaudan, Mont Lozere & Cevennes.



Very Best of Stevenson – Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in La Bastide Puylaurent and hotel check-in. Your journey on the fabulous Cevenol mountain railway should take about 3 hours from Claremont-Ferrand or 2 hours from Nimes.

Day 2

La Bastide to Le Bleymard

[18 miles-28.5 kms, 7.5 hrs,
+610 ms -550 ms]

The Watershed

Climb to Chambonnet Plateau, cross the Atlantic-Mediterranean watershed and head down valley to picture-postcard Chasseradès. You enter the Cevennes proper, with enjoy a fine walk alongside the fledgling River Lot.

Night in Le Bleymard.

Day 3

Le Bleymard to Pont de Montvert.

[11 miles-18 kms, approx. 6.5 hrs,
+630 ms -824 ms].

Mont Lozere

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 followed by a gentle hike to Le Pont de Montvert and into Camisard Country.

Night in Pont de Montvert.

Day 4

Pont de Montvert to Florac.

[15.5 miles-25 km, approx. 7 hrs,
+545 ms -875 ms.

Signal du Bouges

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 5: Departure day Breakfast and onward journey. Au revoir et bon retour. Bus to Ales [not Sundays] takes 75 mins and gets you into Ales around 11:00 hrs. Then it’s a 40-minute train to Nimes where you change for a fast train/TGV to Paris, Lyon, etc. Taxi transfer to Ales is also an option.

Other Short walking tours to consider in the same region are…

Independent testimonials about The Enlightened Traveller can be read here:

Very Best of Stevenson 2024
3.9 Our Rating
Customer Score 4.4 (2 votes)
Pros
  • Arguably the three best consecutive days walking in France at a moderate challenge level
  • Cross two 'natural regions' and the Atlantic/Mediterranean watershed
  • Welcoming hotels and easy access and departure.
Cons
  • two long days - but the fine views make you forget it!
  • The best times to walk the trail [May & September] are the most popular - book early!
Theme
A journey across two historic regions, each with its own distinctive flora. Enjoy the arrival [via scenic mountain railway] and the departure by bus - but not on a Sunday!"
Comfort & Cuisine
Scenery & Trails
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