1. Nature Occitane
  2. Self-Guided Walking Trips in south of France
  3. The Chemin de Stevenson : From Le Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès

The Chemin de Stevenson : From Le Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès

Northern Part
Set off on the Chemin de Stevenson at your own pace, with a roadbook and a selection of accommodation and stages carefully put together by members of the Nature Occitane team. You are currently on the hiking page for the Stevenson Trail Northern Part from Puy-en-Velay to Chasseradès in 8 days.
Nature Occitane takes care of all the logistics of this hike: selection and booking of accommodation, luggage transport, booking of various forms of transport... and stays by your side throughout the trip, thanks to our telephone assistance service.

Prices from 640€ per person.
  • cevennes-stevenson-randonnee-sejour-trek-france
  • randonnee-chemin-stevenson-hotel-guide-france
  • stevenson-robert-nature-faune-parc-cevennes
  • stevenson-france-occitanie-randonnee-trek-marche
Strengths
  • Authentic accommodation selected for its charm and warm welcome
  • An emblematic trail accessible to as many people as possible
  • A wealth of landscapes and heritage
  • GPS guidance available on our app
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Itinerary
  • Day 1:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : your arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

    Welcome in Le Puy-en-Velay

    Arrival in Le Puy en Velay during the day and settle into your accommodation in the late afternoon.
    Take advantage of the day to visit the village and surrounding area, including the cathedral and its 12th-century cloister, and the various museums.

    Dinner and overnight in Le Puy en Velay.

  • Day 2:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from Puy-en-Velay to Monastier sur Gazeille

    5 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +550m / -230m

    You begin this route by climbing up to the plateau offering one of the widest views of the green Puy en Velay basin as far as the eye can see. You then descend to the Loire valley, before once again ascending to a new plateau that will take you to your destination. Once you've arrived in this medieval village, take advantage of its monastic past in volcanic soil to discover all the treasures of this territory.

    Dinner and overnight in Monastier sur Gazeille

  • Day 3:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from Monastier sur Gazeille to Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas

    6 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +650m / -350m

    Today's route takes you back across the plateau on footpaths where you'll catch a glimpse of some volcanic cones with rounded summits. After passing the gorges de la Loire, you finally reach the village of Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas. Once there, we recommend a visit to the old roadside house, decorated with bas-reliefs and a surprising heritage.

    Dinner and overnight at Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas.

  • Day 4:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas to Pradelles

    6 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +250m / --315m

    After crossing the Allier, you enter the Gévaudan region. Here you'll rediscover the old life of the countryside: roadside crosses, wash-houses, shoeing looms, old ovens, assembly houses... Of course, a stop at the churches and other monuments will promise to reveal some magnificent old details.

    Dinner and overnight in Pradelles.

  • Day 5:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from Pradelles to Cheylard l'Evêque

    6 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +390m / -420m

    Today, as you cross heather moors, small copses and granite boulders, you enter a completely different type of landscape that will delight your eyes. Of course, the name Gévaudan evokes the name of the "ferocious beast" that terrorized the region for over 100 years, but despite Stevenson's passing, the legend has always troubled the locals, giving way to many legends that are part of the heritage of this area.

    Dinner and overnight in Cheylard l'Eveque.

  • Day 6:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from Cheylard l'Evêque to La Bastide Puylaurent

    6 to 7 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +655m / - 760m

    Another day's hike to join the old Voie Régordane at Luc, which was once the route to Paris from the lower Languedoc through the Massif Central. You then climb back up to Notre-Dame des Neiges, where Stevenson himself spent some time. Arrive at La Bastide Puylaurent for a well-deserved rest.

    Dinner and overnight stay at Bastide Puylaurent.

  • Day 7:

    The Chemin de Stevenson : from La Bastide Puylaurent to Chasserades

    3 to 4 hours walk . Ascent/descent : +350m / - 200m

    You're off again for the last stretch of the Stevenson trail through the beautiful, dense Gardille forest. Once you've climbed to the summit of La Mourade, you can head back down to Chasseradès for your last night with one of our partners, for a good night's rest after this magnificent journey.

    Dinner and overnight in Chasserades.

  • Day 8:

    End of the Chemin de Stevenson in Chasserades

    End of the trip

    End of service after breakfast.

Disclaimer

The stages and partner accommodations mentioned on the site are those we prefer. Depending on your registration date, we may have to make reservations for other accommodations of the same category. For last-minute bookings, we may have to offer you less comfortable accommodation, especially during the high summer season. We are fully aware of the different accommodation options available for each stage: we will choose the best available offer for you when you register.

Dates & prices

We propose 2 ranges of accommodation for this stay:

Package Dormitory Double room 2 pers. Triple room 3 pers. Single room 1 pers. 4-person room 4 pers.
Essential range
Groupe de 1 personne 8 days / 7 nights €690 - - €950 -
Group of 2 8 days / 7 nights €670 €710 - - -
Group of 3 8 days / 7 nights €650 - €670 - -
Group of 4 and more 8 days / 7 nights €640 - - - €660
Comfort range
Groupe de 1 personne 8 days / 7 nights - - - €1,030 -
Group of 2 8 days / 7 nights - €790 - - -
Group of 3 8 days / 7 nights - - €760 - -
Group of 4 and more 8 days / 7 nights - - - - €750

NB: prices shown are per person.

NB: Prices for the southern part in 8 days / 7 nights.

For all other requests, we can provide you with a customized quote.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES :


DORMITORY FORMULA (ONLY ESSENTIAL RANGE)
- 7 nights in a hostel/hotel in a dormitory

DOUBLE ROOM FORMULA
Essential range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel*/**, inn or guesthouse
Confort range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel**, inn or BnB

SINGLE ROOM FORMULA
Essential range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel*/**, inn or guesthouse
Confort range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel**, inn or BnB

TRIPLE ROOM FORMULA
Essential range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel*/**, inn or guesthouse
Confort range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel**, inn or BnB

QUADRUPLE ROOM FORMULA
Essential range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel*/**, inn or guesthouse
Confort range : 7 nights in a double room in a hotel**, inn or BnB

For all formulas:
  • ½ board
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage per person)
  • Topo guide (1 topo guide for 1 to 4 people)
  • Tourist tax
  • Registration fees

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :


  • Transfers from your home to the meeting point and dispersal
  • Picnic lunch
  • Personal expenses, drinks
  • Europassistance cancellation / interruption / assistance & repatriation insurance
           (6% of the price of your stay, including COVID 19, to be taken out when you register)
  • In general, everything not mentioned in "Our price includes".

NB: price per person for the entire trip, subject to availability at time of booking.

Depending on availability at the time of booking, we may be obliged to apply supplements for upgrades to higher-category accommodation.
Options

Options, supplements and reductions:

Essential range
Supplements
July/August €40
Meals
Picnic supplements €100
Supplementary nights at the beginning or end of your trip
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in dormitory (breakfast included) €35
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in double room (breakfast included) €50
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in triple room (breakfast included) €45
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in single room (breakfast included) €100
Additional night in Chasseradès in triple room (breakfast included) €50
Additional night in Chasseradès in double room (breakfast included) €60
Additional night in Chasseradès in single room (breakfast included) €85
Additional night in Chasseradès in double room, 1/2 board €85
Additional night in Chasseradès in triple room, 1/2 board €80
Additional night in Chasseradès in single room, 1/2 board €105
Transfers
Return shuttle Chasseradès / Puy en Velay (departure 10:40 a.m., arrival 12:30 p.m.) €35
Comfort range
Supplements
July/August €40
Meals
Picnic supplements €100
Supplementary nights at the beginning or end of your trip
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in dormitory (breakfast included) €0
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in double room (breakfast included) €105
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in triple room (breakfast included) €75
Additional night in Puy-en-Velay in single room (breakfast included) €150
Additional night in Chasseradès in triple room (breakfast included) €60
Additional night in Chasseradès in double room (breakfast included) €70
Additional night in Chasseradès in single room (breakfast included) €95
Additional night in Chasseradès in double room, 1/2 board €115
Additional night in Chasseradès in triple room, 1/2 board €80
Additional night in Chasseradès in single room, 1/2 board €105
Transfers
Return shuttle Chasseradès / Puy en Velay (departure 10:40 a.m., arrival 12:30 p.m.) €35

NB: prices are per person.

Hosts
  • Essential range

  • Essential formula

    For this package, we offer a selection of simple, comfortable hotels, hostels and guest houses.

    • hotel-demi-pension-essentiel-stevenson-sudfrance
      Our partner at Bouchet Saint-Nicolas
    • hotel-dortoir-essentiel-stevenson-cevennes
      Our partner at Bouchet Saint-Nicolas
  • Comfort range

  • Comfort formula

    For this package, we offer a selection of simple, comfortable hotels, gîtes or guest houses.

    • hotel-half-broad-hiking-stevenson-france-cevennes
      Our partner accommodation in Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
    • guesthouse-stevenson-hiking-trek-france-journey
      Our partner accommodation in Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas
Practical info

PRACTICAL INFORMATION


COMING BY TRAIN


Arrival at Puy-en-Velay station:
5h19 journey time from Paris (11 trains a day on average with a connection at Saint-Etienne-Châteaucreux).

Departure from Chasseradès station:
  • Return by train to Paris: 7h journey (2 trains per day on average with a connection at Nîmes).
  • Return by shuttle to Le Puy-en-Velay: departures from Chasseradès at 10:45 or 15:45 and arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay at around 12:15 and 17:15 (please consult us).

Please consult SNCF Connect for exact times.

COMING BY CAR


To help you plan your journey, we recommend you use Google Maps, Mappy or Michelin to find out your route.

Where to park your car :
  • Puy-en-Velay: you won't be able to park at the first accommodation for the duration of your hike. However, there is a guarded underground parking lot in the town center, Place du Breuil (next to the Tourist Office). For more information or to book, contact the underground parking lot on 04.71.02.03.54 or 04.71.04.07.40.
  • Chasseradès: you can also park your vehicle at Chasseradès, so that you have it at the end of your hike, and use the shuttle bus to get back to the start.

LEVEL


HIKING LEVEL: Medium (M), approx. 4 to 6 hours walking per day, depending on the stages defined with Nature Occitane. Unaccompanied itinerant hike, no transfers included (except for luggage) during your free hike. NB : You always have the option of taking a cab if you feel tired for certain stages.

CARRYING DURING THE HIKE: You don't need to carry anything, just your assistance luggage (maximum 12kg) each evening at the accommodation. You carry only your daypack during the hike.

PUBLIC: Practicing an endurance activity (hiking or cycling) once a week 2 months before departure. You're not afraid of a succession of hiking days or the occasional climb.

TERRAIN: Easy hiking on good trails in Lozère and Hérault, accessible to anyone in good physical condition.

HIKING TIMES: These are given as a guide only. They are average times and take into account only the actual walking time, not breaks. On average, there will be 200 to 760m of ascent and descent per day on this stage.

WATER: drinking water is regularly available at springs along the hiking trails. However, a minimum 1.5-liter water bottle is essential.

CLIMATE: The climate on this route is varied. Average temperatures fluctuate from 12° in spring and sometimes less in winter, to 25° in summer and a little less in autumn. In summer, a number of bathing spots invite you to take a refreshing dip (the sun is very strong at higher altitudes).

ENVIRONMENT: The Chemin de Stevenson passes through several protected areas. We therefore ask you to respect the charter of the national parks, particularly in terms of protection: respect for natural heritage, cultural heritage and local people, natural resources (water, soil, habitats, fauna, flora, climate). We also remind you not to leave the trails, make fires or pick plants.

EQUIPMENT


On the first day, you must arrive "ready to hike" (hiking boots on, water bottle full, backpack complete, assistance bag closed).

THE BACKPACK


It should be able to hold your personal belongings for the day, i.e. around 30 liters. Choose a backpack with a waist belt (so that your weight rests on your pelvis), padded shoulder straps and a chest strap. Your backpack should always include warm clothing, rain gear, a water bottle, a first-aid kit and your personal items, not forgetting part of your picnic. In addition to a bag cover, a garbage bag and two freezer pockets are essential to protect your belongings from the rain.

YOUR LUGGAGE


This is your "follower" luggage, which you'll find again every evening. It can be a duffel or sports bag. In addition to your extra change, it contains the extras you'll be glad to have back in the evening (CAUTION: it must not exceed 12 kg). Make sure you limit your equipment and pack only the essentials.

HIKING SHOES


Choose hiking boots with good ankle support and notched but flexible soles. Footwear is one of the most important elements of your hike. Above all, they must be comfortable, lightweight, waterproof and breathable. Good ankle support is essential. Don't set off with brand-new shoes. Use them at least two or three times before hiking. Also, make sure your "old shoes" don't give way on the first ascent.

CLOTHING


  • A waterproof GORE TEX windproof jacket (no poncho-type k-way)
  • A fleece jacket
  • Pants, shorts, T-shirts (avoid cotton, prefer breathable materials).
  • Change of clothes and personal laundry
  • A bathing suit and a towel (microfiber towels are preferable, as they are lighter and dry faster).

BEDDING


  • A light sleeping bag (comfort 10°C) or "meat bag" (blankets available in accommodations).

PICNIC


  • 1 individual airtight box (Tupperware type), capacity approx. 0.6 liters, cutlery, plate and cup.

OTHERS 


  • Water bottle (2-liter minimum per person).
  • A pair of telescopic hiking poles (optional)
  • Sunglasses and sun creamHat or cap
  • A small toilet bag, with towel
  • Flashlight or headlamp (for night-time use)
  • A pair of tennis shoes or sandals (for evening wear)
  • Toilet paper
  • Earplugs
  • Camera
  • Small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, plaster, elastoplast, compeed...)