The Stevenson Trail North in 7 days
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationMassif Central / Le Puy-en-Velay
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions81.44 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
This hike is organized from Le Puy-en-Velay. After an initial night in the Haute-Loire region, you begin your journey with a first leg through the Velay to Monastier-sur-Gazeille, Stevenson's historic starting point. You will then travel through the Lozère and Gévaudan regions before arriving in Chasseradès .
For this trip, we suggest a stop at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Snows, where the nuns welcome visitors on a donation basis (free offerings).
For this route, you will do 6 days of hiking, approximately 24km per day.
The highlights
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A trip with stages of approximately 20km
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Hostels or hotels
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The return shuttle on the last day of the walk
Photos
Hélène - verified review - september 2026
Hélène - verified review - september 2026
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Level 2-3: 5 to 6 hours of walking with elevation gains of 450 to 700 meters. No technical difficulty.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 20 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 545 m
- Average daily descent: 464 m
Management
Program
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Day 01: Le Puy en Velay
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
In the beginning, the volcanoes of Auvergne spewed their incandescent magma onto the Velay. Once cooled, the basalt became a peak on which men built a religious monument.
To fully enjoy the old town, plan a day on foot. Strolling through its narrow streets in the moonlight will leave unforgettable impressions.
Night in a B&B in Le Puy en VelayDay 1 -
Day 02: Le Monastier sur Gazeille
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 660 m
- Negative elevation 380 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Le Monastier sur Gazeille, a gentle, colorful blend of volcanic landscapes and high agricultural plateaus....
This is the starting point of this story. Stevenson stayed here for a whole month to prepare for his journey and acquired Modestine, his donkey, there. You will certainly find some time to discover the 12th-century abbey church (a characteristic example of Burgundian Romanesque architecture).
Overnight stay with half-board
Stage of 19.7km, approximately 5h30, elevation gain 660m, elevation loss 380m
This stage follows the GR70 exclusively.
In Monastier, your accommodation is located in or near the village.
Day 2 -
Day 03: Le Bouchet Saint Nicolas
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h45
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 790 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Lake Bouchet forms a vast circle in the middle of a spruce and fir forest. The volcanic crater imposes its tranquility and invites you to a long break by the water before returning to your accommodation in the heart of the village.
Overnight stay with half-board
Stage of 24.5km, approximately 6h45, elevation gain 790m, elevation loss 500m
This stage follows the GR70 exclusively.
Your accommodation in Bouchet St Nicolas is located in the heart of the village.
Day 3 -
Day 04: Pradelles
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h15
- Distance 21 km
- Positive elevation gain 330 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Continue your journey to delve into the heart of this region, on the border between Lozère and Ardèche. Here, calm and tranquility reign.
Overnight stay with half-board
Stage of approximately 21.5km, approximately 5h15 of walking, +330m elevation gain, -400m elevation loss
This stage follows the GR70 exclusively.
Your accommodation in Pradelles is located in the heart of the village.
Day 4 -
Day 05: Cheylard l'Éveque
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h45
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 470 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The Margeride is an area where large-crystal granite is omnipresent. Everywhere, enormous blocks dot the moors and pile up in picturesque pyramids. Pilgrim paths intersect with those of the French Resistance fighters.
Overnight stay with half-board
Stage of approximately 22 km, 5h45 of walking, +470m elevation gain, -500m elevation loss
This stage follows the GR70.
Your accommodation for this stage may be slightly set back from the Stevenson Trail
Day 5 -
Day 06: La Bastide Puylaurent
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 620 m
- Negative elevation 720 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The view opens up to the Allier Valley and the ruins of Luc Castle, built before the 12th century on a Celtic site. It is one of the military fortresses on the Régordane Way, the pilgrimage route to Saint-Gilles.
Overnight stay with half-board
Stage of approximately 18.5km, 5 hours of walking, +460m elevation gain, -540m elevation lossDay 6 -
Day 7: Chasseradès - end of stay
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 280 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The GR70 now climbs the slopes of the Goulet via the forest paths of Moure de la Gardille. This ascent offers stunning views of the Ardèche and Lozère forests.
You arrive in Chasseradès in the early afternoon and take our shuttle directly back to Le Puy-en-Velay. (Shuttle around 4 pm, to be booked when registering)
You can also request an extra night (subject to availability in Chasseradès with half-board).
Return to Le Puy-en-Velay
Stage of 12km, approximately 4 hours, +400m elevation gain, -280m elevation loss
Day 7
Note
Do you want to travel this route in a specific way by playing with the length of the stages, the type of accommodation or even the duration of your stay?
We will make you a proposal that best suits your project!
Accommodation
Along the Stevenson Trail, we discovered some accommodations that suited us perfectly. You'll feel right at home there.
These are mainly located on the GR70 , and sometimes a little further back.
Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may offer alternative accommodation options with adjustments to the itinerary, which may include temporary changes to the route. The itinerary will then be recalculated, and a transfer may be necessary.
Along the Stevenson Trail, we discovered some accommodations that suited us perfectly. You'll feel right at home there.
These are mainly located on the GR70 , and sometimes a little further back.
Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may offer alternative accommodation options with adjustments to the itinerary, which may include temporary changes to the route. The itinerary will then be recalculated, and a transfer may be necessary.
Along the Stevenson Trail, we discovered some accommodations that suited us perfectly. You'll feel right at home there.
These are mainly located on the GR70 , and sometimes a little further back.
Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may offer alternative accommodation options with adjustments to the itinerary, which may include temporary changes to the route. The itinerary will then be recalculated, and a transfer may be necessary.
Access
The trip ended after the last day of hiking in Chasseradès, around 4pm.
The meeting point for the shuttle will be in the heart of the village of Chasseradès.
Go to the starting point
Easy access between Puy en Velay train station and your first accommodation.
You can leave your vehicle in the hotel parking lot (unsupervised) or in a private parking lot.
In both cases, hiker rates are offered.
Price details
The price includes
- 5 nights with half board
- 1 night in a B&B in Le Puy en Velay
- Luggage transport
- The return shuttle on the last day
- The dedicated step-by-step guidance app
- The organization and preparation of the stay
- Our assistance throughout your stay
The price does not include
- The “solo supplement” if you are travelling alone
- Insurance
- Dinner on Day 1
- Picnics
- Drinks
- Other personal expenses
- Tourist taxes
Options
- Half-board for dinner on Day 1 : CHF29.27 / unit
- Hiking guide in "all-paper" format : CHF29.27 / reservation
- 🌙 Extra night before your stay - Single room : CHF107.95 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night before your stay - Double room : CHF80.50 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night before your stay - Twin room : CHF80.50 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night after your stay - Single room : CHF107.95 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night after your stay - Double room : CHF80.50 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night after your stay - Twin room : CHF80.50 / unit
- Traveling with a pet : CHF73.18 / unit
- Transport of one additional piece of luggage. Price per piece of luggage : CHF43.91 / unit
- Pet transport fees (subject to acceptance by our carrier) : CHF36.59 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
We advise you to bring an external backup charging battery for your GPS or phone.
And why not: a camera and a pair of binoculars.
Clothing to bring
Personal equipment: the 3-layer system allows you to manage all situations during your hike :
- A short- or long-sleeved undershirt (t-shirt) made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
- A warm fleece fur jacket.
- A windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket.
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may suffice. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is essential. Choose quick-drying clothing and therefore avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers, which will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible. Avoid overly warm and bulky parkas.
You hike with a small 30 or 40L backpack for the day in which you will put your protective clothing, lunch, water bottle, camera, etc.
They traveled with us
Hélène
- 34 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
september 2026
Alone
Véronique
- 59 ans
100% Verified Reviews: Only travelers who have booked with us can leave a review. All reviews are subject to human moderation. Reviews that do not comply with the moderation rules are rejected.
august 2026
In a couple
Very satisfied with Decathlon Travel and *** for this trip on the Stevenson Trail North. Beautiful scenery, great climbs, and above all, wonderful encounters.
