Stevenson Trail: Map, Stages, and Tips for Hiking the GR70

The Stevenson Trail, or GR70, is one of France’s major hiking trails: approximately 270 km between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès, through the Haute-Loire, Ardèche, Lozère, and Gard departments. It follows in the footsteps of the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, who set out in 1878 with his donkey, Modestine. The final stages cross the Cévennes to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, about ten kilometers from the Slow Village of Anduze.

Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to the route, including distances, elevation changes, and what you shouldn't miss.

What are the stages of the Stevenson Trail?

The route is generally covered in 12 stages ranging from 13 to 29 km, plus a final optional stage to Alès. Stevenson set out from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, but most hikers start in Le Puy-en-Velay, which is easier to reach by train.

Step 1: Le Puy-en-Velay, Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille

19 km, +550 m / -230 m. The route begins near the cathedral in Le Puy-en-Velay. The stage climbs toward the volcanic plateaus of the Velay and leads to Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, the true starting point of Stevenson’s journey.

Step 2: Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas

24 km, +650 m / -350 m. First historic stage: descent toward the Loire Gorges and the village of Goudet, then ascent toward Lac du Bouchet, a crater lake at an elevation of 1,200 m.

Step 3: Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, Pradelles

21 km, +250 m / -315 m. An easier stage across the highlands, all the way to Pradelles, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France.

Step 4: Pradelles, Le Cheylard-l’Évêque

22 km, +390 m / -420 m. The route passes through Langogne and enters the Lozère department near Lake Naussac. The trail then winds its way into the forests of Gévaudan.

Step 5: Le Cheylard-l’Évêque, La Bastide-Puylaurent

27 km, +655 m / -760 m. The stage passes beneath the ruins of Luc Castle, topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary that Stevenson saw just before its dedication, and then follows the Allier Valley.

Step 6: La Bastide-Puylaurent, Chasseradès

13 km, +350 m / -200 m. A short stage, passing bythe Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey, at an elevation of 1,100 m, where Stevenson was welcomed by the Trappist monks. Today, Cistercian nuns welcome hikers there.

Step 7: Chasseradès, Le Bleymard

17 km, +610 m / -690 m. The trail passes at the foot of the Mirandol Viaduct, a 30-meter-high stone railroad bridge, then crosses the Goulet Mountain before descending into the Lot Valley.

Step 8: Le Bleymard, Le Pont-de-Montvert

19 km, +820 m / -1,015 m. The most spectacular stage: the crossing of Mount Lozère via the Finiels summit (1,699 m), the highest point on the trail, amid heathland and granite outcrops. Descent to Pont-de-Montvert, a granite village on the banks of the Tarn, a key site in the history of the Camisards.

Step 9: Le Pont-de-Montvert, Florac

29 km, +690 m / -940 m. The longest and most challenging route, coming right after Mont Lozère. The trail follows the ridges of the Bougès before reaching Florac, the headquarters of the Cévennes National Park.

Step 10: Florac, Cassagnas

19 km, +340 m / -180 m. A restful stage along the Mimente Valley to the village of Cassagnas, mentioned by Stevenson.

Step 11: Cassagnas, Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française

24 km, +350 m / -450 m. A journey through the schist-covered Cévennes: an ascent to Plan de Fontmort, a stop in Saint-Germain-de-Calberte, chestnut groves, and stone hamlets.

Step 12: Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française, Saint-Jean-du-Gard

13 km, +480 m / -600 m. The final historic leg of the journey takes you over the Col de Saint-Pierre, offering beautiful panoramic views of the Cévennes valleys. It was in Saint-Jean-du-Gard that Stevenson ended his journey.

Step 13 (optional): Saint-Jean-du-Gard, Alès

23 km, +850 m / -900 m. Stevenson didn’t hike this trail, but it leads to the Alès train station through oak and chestnut forests. Some sections along the ridges are more technically challenging than they appear.

Accommodations, Luggage, and Transportation

Vacation rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, campgrounds: there’s a wide variety to choose from, but the villages are small. The trail association recommends making reservations before you leave, especially from May through September. Luggage transport services operate along the entire route: you walk with a light pack, and your belongings will be waiting for you at each stop.

Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès are accessible by train, as are Langogne and La Bastide-Puylaurent, which are convenient places to start or end a section of the route.

When is the best time to leave?

The trail climbs from 128 to 1,699 meters in elevation. The best times to visit are from May through mid-July, and in September and October. In the height of summer, it can get very hot in the Cévennes; in winter, snow sometimes covers Mont Lozère, and many lodging options close.

Our Tips for a Successful Hike

• Make a realistic itinerary: while not particularly technical, the Stevenson Trail consists of a series of days covering 20 km or more.
• Travel light: a 35- to 45-liter backpack is enough if you're staying in a guesthouse.
• Stock up on supplies in the villages; stores are few and far between on some stages.
• Be prepared for rain and wind, even in the summer, on Mount Lozère.
• Pick up Stevenson's book and reread it step by step.

Once you arrive in Saint-Jean-du-Gard, take a few days to relax in the Cévennes valleys: go for a swim in the Gardon River, take the steam train to Anduze, and visit the Bamboo Garden. For a break surrounded by nature along the river, the Slow Village in Anduze is a great way to continue your journey at the same pace as Stevenson.