Stevenson Trail

Here is a 12-day trek on the GR 70, better known as the Stevenson trail in reference to the route taken by the famous Scottish writer at the end of the 19th century, accompanied by his donkey Modestine.

Stretching from Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, this journey begins on the volcanic plateaus of Velay, before reaching the forests of Gévaudan, Mont Lozère, then the Cévennes. Many are the villages of character located on the way, and the landscapes are undeniably varied and bucolic.

A timeless hike, to enjoy with or without a donkey.

🥾 In a nutshell

⏱ Duration: 12 days
📏 Length: 270 km
⛰ Elevation gain: 9,000 meters
💪 Difficulty: medium
🌤 Season: doable all year round, but we recommend May-June and September-October

Display map

🙋 Who is the GR 70 for?

The GR 70 is a long hike, but with a relatively moderate elevation. It also does not include delicate passages requiring the use of hands, as is the case for example of the GR 20.

It is therefore a path accessible to regular walkers, who are able to walk the kilometers (sometimes more than 20 in the same day), without needing to be prepared for steep terrain.

Finally, it is possible to make this trek more accessible. First of all, the Stevenson trail is bordered by a multitude of villages and lodges, which makes it easy to cut a stage in two. Similarly, there is no incentive to do the 12 stages at once, and many walkers prefer to complete only part of the route.

✈️ Getting there

The trail begins at Puy-en-Velay station and ends at Alès station. It is therefore an ideal trek if you want to get there by public transport.

If you don't do the entire trek, many coach lines cover the intermediate stages.

Some walkers decide to go to the starting point by car, leave it there for the time of the trek, then find it again by public transport at the end.

🛌 Sleep

The GR 70 crosses a region dense with small villages, which makes logistics relatively easy. At each end of the stage there is at least one gîte, but most often a multitude. These allow you to meet other walkers and contribute to the conviviality around this path. It is best to book in advance, especially in high season.

For those wishing to pitch their tent, campsites are also located on the way, but not necessarily at each end of the stage. It is however possible to bivouac by respecting certain rules: for only one night in a row in the same place, from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., less than 50 meters from the GR.

🍴 Eat

For hikers preferring lodges, dinner is usually served on site. It is even sometimes possible to request a picnic for lunch the next day.

In addition, many restaurants and grocery stores are located on the way, but not necessarily at each stage. It is therefore advisable to always anticipate meals one or two steps in advance, to ensure that all needs are covered.

🎒 Equipment

Like any trek, the GR 70 requires some equipment. To manage it like a pro, please consult our dedicated guide: What to bring on a trek.

🥾 The stages

Stevenson's journey began in Monastier-sur-Gazeille and ended in Saint-Jean-du-Gard. However, for logistical reasons, there are many routes from Puy-en-Velay to Alès, which are the major towns nearby.

Similarly, Stevenson's path includes many variants, which vary its route and number of stages. We propose here 12 stages which seem interesting and balanced to us, but it is quite possible to modify them according to your desires, your available time, or the accommodation you will find.