Walking holidays in Auvergne, the Cevennes and the Alps

Stevenson Trail 1st Stage Walking Holiday

In the footsteps of one man and his donkey

Stevenson Trail 1st StageEnlarge

In 1878, Robert Louis Stevenson published, “Travels with a Donkey”, an account of his intriguing journey accompanied by his donkey, Modestine. Starting at the southern end of the Massif Central, the walk takes you across the Cévennes to the edge of the Midi.

View Prices & Book

Guide Price

£689

Prices per person (based on two sharing)

Book this holiday

Book online or call 01580 214 010

 

Stevenson Trail 1st Stage Walking Holiday

 

Auvergne, the Cevennes and the Alps

Optional Extras

Extra night B&B Chasseradès £75. Starting days: Any.

Rail Travel

Outward: Depart St Pancras International station, change stations in Paris and trains at Clermont Ferrand, arrive Le Puy en Velay late evening. Transfer from station to hotel not included - hotel is within easy walking distance.

Return: Transfer to Chasseradès station not included, change trains at Nimes and stations in Paris, arrive St Pancras International station late evening.

  • Day 1 Arrival Le Puy
    • Le Puy has a wealth of religious history and several beautiful buildings including the cathedral and the Romanesque chapel of St Michel de L’Aiguille perched 80m high on a pinnacle of rock - the Rocher St. Michel.
  • Day 2 Le Puy to Le Monastier - 12 miles (19.2km)
    • Today’s walk starts with a climb out of the valley, encircled by extinct volcanoes and then descends to cross the infant Loire, passing through some enchanting scenery.
  • Day 3 Le Monastier to St. Nicolas - 16 miles (25.6km)
    • Stevenson bought his donkey, Modestine, in Le Monastier. Cross the Loire river at Goudet and rise out of the valley. The author got lost here; he missed the Lac du Bouchet because it is uphill of the hamlet within a flooded volcano cone.
  • Day 4 St. Nicolas to Langogne - 16 miles (25.6km)
    • Through wooded valleys and rough pasture, along cinder paths and farm tracks. Everything is made of local granite, the houses, bread ovens and crosses.
  • Day 5 Langogne to Cheylard L’Evêque - 10 miles (16km)
    • An undulating walk across the remote and vast plain of Margaride. The church bells here, like so many in the region, are not housed in a tower. This makes them louder, so in times of inclement weather the bells used to be rung to guide lost souls to the safety of the village.
  • Day 6 Cheylard L’Evêque to La Bastide - 12 miles (19.2km)
    • Walk on the route of the Roman road that leads to Marseilles, via Regordane and enter the upper reaches of the attractive Allier valley.
  • Day 7 La Bastide to Chasseradès - 8 miles (12.8km)
    • You climb today to the highest point of this stage, opposite the source of the Allier. As you climb over the Mourage hill you cross the watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, then head down the valley to pretty Chasseradès.
 

Stevenson Trail 1st Stage Location & Route

Key:

 
Hotels you will be staying at:

Stevenson Trail 1st Stage View Hotels & Cuisine

  • Hotel - Hotel Bristol

    • Centrally located in the ancient city of Le Puy en Velay this famiy run hotel is conventiently located for shopping and sight seeing.

      Hotel Facilities

      • Warm welcome.
      • Comfortable ensuite bedrooms.
      • Town centre location.
       
  • Hotel - Hotel le Provence

    • This is a typically French modern hotel in the centre of a pretty country village, with a good restaurant focussing on regional cuisine.

      Hotel Facilities

      • Swimming pool.
      • Family run hotel.
      • Village centre location.
       
  • Hotel - Ferme Auberge l'Arrestadou

    • This is a chalet-style built modern hotel, run by the Villeseche family with a restaurant focussing on produce from their own farm. You will be very warmly welcomed into this rural community and get a real sense of the mixed farming happening around the hotel and the village.

      Hotel Facilities

      • Rural farm setting.
      • fresh, modern rooms.
      • hearty cuisine using locally - sourced produce.

      View Hotel Menu

       
  • Hotel - Grand Hotel de la Poste

    • Delightful fully-renovated hotel is located at the centre of the village of Langogne

      Hotel Facilities

      • Comfortable ensuite bedrooms.
      • Excellent restaurant.
      • Town centre location.
       
  • Hotel - Le Refuge du Moure

    • In the heart of the Mercoire forest, on Robert Louis Stevenson's trail, is the Refuge du Moure an 18th century house built of granite with local-style 'lauze' roof. Comfortable, cosy rooms, decorated in warm colours and some with patchworks made by tyour hosts. Genuinely warm welcome.

      Hotel Facilities

       
  • Hotel - Les Genets

    • Family run 2 star hotel located in the centre of the village.

      Hotel Facilities

       
  • Hotel - Hotel des Sources

    • A family run hotel situated at the heart of the Margeride region, close to the sources of the Allier, Lot and Chassezac rivers- a delightful location offering a calm and pleasant stay.

      Hotel Facilities

      View Hotel Menu

       
 

Stevenson Trail 1st Stage Prices & Book

Own Travel

£689 Prices per person (based on two sharing)

Rail Inclusive

£1029 Prices per person (based on two sharing)

Ferry Inclusive

£810 Prices per person (based on two sharing)

 

Extra night B&B Chasseradès £75. Starting days: Any.

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