Star of the Cévennes - Guided walking trip
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Day 1:
ARRIVAL IN MONTPELLIER, HIKING IN THE CÉVENNES
2h30 walking, 6 km, 280m ascent; Transfer: 1h30
Meet at 1:00 pm at Montpellier St Roch train station, or at 3:00 pm at your accommodation in southern Cévennes. Your guide will introduce the program, followed by a short walk from the hotel. You’ll explore the village’s historic alleys before stepping into the surrounding Cévennes landscape for your first immersion. The ancient chestnut trees ("bread trees") around the village are a testament to this tree’s essential role in Cévennes life for centuries. In the late afternoon, the village’s small cobbled squares and shaded market areas invite you to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.
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Day 2:
HIKING IN THE HIGH DOURBIES CÉVENNES
4h30 walking, 12 km, 400m ascent
After a hearty breakfast (sweet or savory), you’ll set off to explore the valleys and ridges ("valats and serres") around the village of Dourbies. This hike showcases the full spectrum of Cévennes landscapes, with shaded forests leading up to granite-capped ridges overlooking the valley. Breathe in the fresh, fragrant air of high-altitude meadows, then descend along wild paths through Cévennes hamlets. Near its source, the clear and refreshing river waters offer an invigorating swim. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.
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Day 3:
HIKING IN THE LINGAS MASSIF CÉVENNES
4h walking, 12 km, 350m ascent
Today, we explore the Lingas Mountain, the last major relief in southern Cévennes. Our trail winds through a lush forest before reaching a small summit with panoramic views. A popular spot for summer transhumance, thousands of sheep graze here each summer, drawn by the fresh grass (and like us, the cool air!). Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.
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Day 4:
HIKING IN THE BLACK CAUSSE STEPPES
4h30 walking, 13 km, 350m ascent
Today, you leave the Cévennes mountains of forests and rivers and head into the steppes of the Grand Causses Natural Park. This high plateau, “an island in the sky,” is bordered by the Dourbie and Jonte gorges. As you walk through this wide, open landscape—a biodiversity hotspot—you’ll reach trails along dramatic cliffs, where griffon vultures soar. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.
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Day 5:
HIKING TO THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT AIGOUAL
4h30 walking, 13 km, 320m ascent
Today’s journey takes us to the iconic summit of Mont Aigoual. On clear days, you can see as far as the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Mediterranean Sea. At 1,567m, it’s the second-highest peak in the Cévennes and hosts France’s last mountain weather station. A loop through forest paths provides stunning vistas. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel with a pool.
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Day 6:
FINAL HIKE, RETURN TO MONTPELLIER, DISPERSAL AT 2:30 PM AT THE TRAIN STATION
2h walking, 6 km; Transfer: 1h30
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll set out for one last walk to bid a gentle farewell to the charming Cévennes landscapes. Transfer to Montpellier follows. Dispersal is at 2:30 pm at Montpellier St Roch train station. After the picnic lunch, dispersal will be at the departure point for those using their own vehicles.
Note: Dispersal will be at 3:00 pm on June 16, 2024, at Montpellier St Roch train station for the "special transhumance journey."
Disclaimer
The above itinerary may be modified due to weather or terrain conditions, equipment concerns or the physical condition of the participants. The final choice of the walks will be decided by the guide who may adapt the programme for reasons of security.
From | To | Price | Status |
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€890 |
Guaranteed with 4 pers. min.
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€950 |
Guaranteed
Départ spécial transhumance
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€890 |
Guaranteed
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€950 |
Guaranteed with 4 pers. min.
Départ spécial brame du cerf
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€950 |
Guaranteed
Départ spécial brame du cerf
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NB: prices are per person.
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
PRICE OF THE HOLIDAY
OUR PRICE INCLUDES
- Guiding and management by a local ‘Accompagnateur en Montagne’ (mountain leader) throughout the holiday
- 5 nights in a charming auberge with swimming pool, in a shared double room
- Transfers between the train station in Montpellier and your auberge at the start at end of the holiday
- Full board accommodation from the picnic on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
- The visits as mentioned in the programme
OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Travel to reach Montpellier
- Booking fees (15€ per person) – FREE if you pay by French cheque or by bank transfer
- Personal expenses, drinks
- Cancellation or repatriation insurance
- In a general sense, everything that is not included in ‘Our price includes’
OPTION
REDUCTION
2 special
departures "TRANSHUMANCE":
Holiday
from 11 to 16 juin 2019 Ascent of the Transhumance
Holiday from 31 août to 5 septembre 2019 Descent of the Transhumance
Options, supplements and reductions:
Reductions | |
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Discount for people coming with their own vehicle | -€50 |
Supplements | |
Single room supplement | €230 |
Supplementary nights at the beginning or end of your trip | |
Extra night in a double room with half board at the hostel | €85 |
Extra night in a single room with half board at the hostel | €110 |
NB: prices are per person.
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Hôtel avec piscine chauffée et jacuzzi
Petit hôtel familial dans un village typique situé aux portes du Parc National des Cévennes.
Jardin, piscine chauffée et jacuzzi surplombant la rivière.
MEETING POINT:
- At 13h00 at Montpellier train station (Saint Roch)
- At 15h00 directly at your auberge if you have your own transport
AT THE END OF THE HOLIDAY:
- At 11h00 at Montpellier train station or after breakfast, if you are leaving directly from the auberge with your own transport * For the special departure "Transhumance" in June, the holiday will finish at 15h00 at Montpellier train station or at midday at your auberge if you have your own transport
TRANSFERS BETWEEN MONTPELLIER
AND THE AUBERGE
GUIDING AND MANAGEMENT:
2 special
departures "TRANSHUMANCE":
Holiday
from 11 to 16 juin 2019 Ascent of the Transhumance
Holiday from 31 août to 5 septembre 2019 Descent of the Transhumance
HOW TO GET HERE:
→ IF YOU COME
BY TRAIN
→ IF YOU COME BY CAR
→ IF YOU COME BY PLANE
EQUIPMENT
RUCKSACK
LUGGAGE
WALKING BOOTS
CLOTHES
- A wind and waterproof jacket that is breathable (GORETEX or similar). Ponchos are not acceptable.
- A fleece (the mountain weather can be changeable and turn cold)
- A pair of walking trousers, a pair of shorts, t-shirts (choose modern breathable, fast drying materials rather than cotton)
- A change of clothes for the evenings
- A swimming costume and towel
OTHER ITEMS
- Water bottle (2 litre minimum per person).
- A pair of telescopic walking poles (highly recommended)
- Sun glasses and sun cream
- Sun hat
- Personal tolietries and a towel
- A pair of sandals/comfortable shoes (for the evenings)
- Camera
- Small first aid kit (plasters, compeed, elastoplast, head ache pills, after bite etc