Chemin de Stevenson
The GR 70, following Robert Louis Stevenson's 1878 route with his donkey through the Cévennes mountains of southern France.
Route overview
The Chemin de Stevenson, also known as the GR 70, is a long-distance trail of approximately 280 kilometres that follows the route walked by Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine in 1878, documented in his book Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes. The trail runs from Le Puy-en-Velay in the Haute-Loire to Alès in the Gard, crossing the volcanic highlands and granite massifs of the Cévennes. The landscape is a mix of volcanic plateau, deep river gorges, beech and chestnut forest, and traditional pastoral villages. The route passes through the Mont Lozère, the highest peak in the Cévennes, and descends through the chestnut-growing valleys of the Lozère and Gard. Stevenson chose the route partly for its literary associations with the Camisard Protestant rebellions of the early eighteenth century. The trail is well waymarked with the standard red-and-white GR markers. It is moderately demanding with some long days and occasional remote sections. Accommodation is available in gîtes, small inns,…
Trail facts
- Country
- France
- Region
- Massif Central
- Distance
- c. 280 km
- Typical duration
- 10–14 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation gain
- c. 5,000 m cumulative
- Best season
- May–October
- Trail type
- Point-to-point hill trail
Safety context
Mont Lozère is exposed to sudden weather changes. Some sections are remote with limited phone signal. River crossings after heavy rain should be approached with care.
Some sections follow minor roads. The route is not as well known as the major Camino paths, so English-language information is less abundant.
Highlights
Le Puy-en-Velay cathedral and statue Mont Lozère summit Cassagnas village chestnut festival Florac and the Tarn gorges St-Jean-du-Gard finish Traditional Cévenol villages Granite landscapes of the Mont Lozère
Why find a buddy
A literary and historical trail through a little-known French mountain region — a companion shares the experience of following Stevenson’s nineteenth-century footsteps.
Primary source
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Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.