Follow in the footsteps of one of literature’s great wanderers on the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR70), a classic long-distance walk through the Cévennes and Massif Central of southern France. Stretching approximately 272 km (169 miles) from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Alès, this route takes around two weeks to complete and offers a unique blend of cultural history, rural charm and enduring landscapes that engage walkers from start to finish.

Whether you are new to multi-day trekking or an experienced hiker looking for a journey rich in narrative and scenery, this route delivers. The guidebook features clear, stage-by-stage route descriptions from north to south, bringing together the practical essentials and the stories that make this walk so special. Each stage includes a brief account of Robert Louis Stevenson's experiences with his donkey, Modestine, allowing you to connect with the original journey that inspired one of the great travel classics, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes.

• Route guidance is presented for the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail in 12 stages, each between 16 km and 30 km (10–17 miles) in length, with clear mapping, elevation profiles and walking notes so you can plan each day’s walk with confidence
• Practical advice on planning, preparation, when to walk and what to take ensures you’re ready for the French terrain ranging from gently undulating farmland and chestnut woods to wildflower meadows and limestone gorges
• GPX files are available to download, and 1:50,000 maps are included for every stage, supporting both traditional and digital navigation on this literary long-distance trail 
• Comprehensive facilities, accommodation and campsite listings help you find welcoming places to stay each night of your journey from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Alès, including village inns to rural gîtes
• Insight into local culture, history and points of interest enriches your journey, from rivers and high ridges to traditional villages where French rural life continues much as it did in Stevenson’s day

From the volcanic landscapes above Le-Puy to the rolling hills and rivers of the Cévennes, the GR70 reveals a lesser-known corner of France that is as captivating as any of its more famous trails. With its blend of literary heritage, welcoming communities and scenic diversity, the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail offers hikers a long-distance walking adventure. This guidebook gives you all the tools you need to walk the route confidently, enjoy the journey and discover the enduring appeal of a trail walked by one of the world’s great storytellers.

Robert Louis Stevenson Trail - Quick Facts

Trail name: Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR70)
Location: Cévennes and Massif Central, southern France
Total distance: ~272 km / 169 miles
Typical duration: 10–14 days
Start: Le-Puy-en-Velay
Finish: Alès
Trail type: Waymarked long-distance walking trail
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (multi-day trek, some hilly terrain)
Terrain: Rolling hills, chestnut forests, farmland, limestone gorges, rivers
Navigation: Well waymarked with red and white stripes
Best season: May to October
Accommodation: Village inns, rural gîtes, campsites along the route

Author Highlight 

“On 22 September 1878, the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson set off from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille with Modestine the donkey on a 12-day hike through the Cévennes. He kept a journal, and his book Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes – considered a pioneering classic of outdoor literature – was published in 1879. Stevenson would most probably be surprised to see that some 140 years after his journey, many people depart from Le Puy-en-Velay or Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to walk the GR70 long-distance trail that follows his footsteps as closely as possible.”

- Nike Werstroh, author of Trekking the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail 

Route summary table
Map key
Overview map

Introduction
About Robert Louis Stevenson
The trail
When to go
Suggested itinerary
Travelling to and from the trail
Accommodation
Food and supplies
What to take
Language
Maps and waymarking
Using this guide

The GR70
Stage 1 Le Puy-en-Velay to Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille
Stage 2 Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Le Bouchet-St-Nicolas
Stage 3 Le Bouchet-St-Nicolas to Langogne
Stage 4 Langogne to Cheylard-l'Évêque
Stage 5 Cheylard-l'Évêque to La Bastide-Puylaurent
Stage 6 La Bastide-Puylaurent to Le Bleymard
Stage 7 Le Bleymard to Le Pont-de-Montvert
Stage 8 Le Pont-de-Montvert to Florac
Stage 9 Florac to Cassagnas
Stage 10 Cassagnas to St-Germain-de-Calberte
Stage 11 St-Germain-de-Calberte to St-Jean-du-Gard
Stage 12 St-Jean-du-Gard to Alès

Appendix A Useful contacts and information
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Campsites
Appendix D French–English glossary

Seasons

From around Easter to October (since much of the accommodation closes over the winter months); July and August can be very hot so it is best to avoid walking during the hottest part of the day

Centres

Le-Puy-en-Velay, Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, Pradelles, Langogne, Le Bleymard, Le Pont-de-Montvert, Florac, St-Jean-du-Gard, Alès

Difficulty

Most of the trail is on easy terrain, but some sections are longer and therefore more demanding, so a certain level of fitness is required. The GR70 trail is well signposted and it is a great long-distance trail for first-time and experienced hikers alike.

Must See

River Loire, River Gardon, Mount Lozére, Cévennes, Massif Central, River Tarn, Camisards history, Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Travels with a donkey in the Cévennes'

January 2026

Camping La Croix Clementine

August 2025

Stage 6

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