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Thanks so much kayagee66. Will join. We start the RLS Chemin on 17th August this year. Am very excited to be doing this after toying with the idea for a few years. We will then walk from Arles to Santiago when we have finished it.Hi, I'm planning to walk The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, GR 70, next September. It's roughly a 2 to 3 week walk through the Cevennes in France. If any members here have walked it, or might be interested in walking it, can I direct you to the facebook group,
Robert Louis Stevenson Trail - GR 70.
It is a closed group but if you search it and send a join request you will be added. It is a friendly group and the more people who can help with tips and advice the better, and if you walk it your photos and comments are very welcome. Thanks.
Great, I should be a couple of weeks behind you. If you keep the group updated I'll be able to pick up tips as I walkThanks so much kayagee66. Will join. We start the RLS Chemin on 17th August this year. Am very excited to be doing this after toying with the idea for a few years. We will then walk from Arles to Santiago when we have finished it.
Great, I'll be sure to follow.We will start May 4th. You can follow our blog...linked through blog address in signature. We're not on FB.
That's great, thanks very much.Hi. I walked this route in 2010. Details on my blog. www.gittiharre.blogspot.com
It was a fabulous walk, however it does not have that pilgrim feel...a bit more expensive too.
There tend to be lots of walking groups, so booking ahead is recommended. If you send me a pm with your email I can send my itinerary and places I stayed. At the time I spent 48 Euros per day on average all up. Mainly stayed in gites.
We did the Stevenson trail 2 years ago and it is a beautiful walk. There is not a huge amount of accommodation and not masses of walkers either but it links in to a number of other walks. If you get the chance do try it.Here is a link to get a copy of the latest guide to the Stevenson Trail.
It is one of a series of books by Miam Miam Dodo. Well respected, with maps, places to stay, phone numbers, email addresses, food and drinks, languages spoken etc.
It is in French but is easy to understand (i don't speak French).
When i ordered mine it arrived in less than a week.
This link takes you to their books.
The Stevenson Trail GR 70 is in the bottom left.
http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/LivresIndispensables/LivresIndispensables.html
Hi. Planning now, got the time off in September.We did the Stevenson trail 2 years ago and it is a beautiful walk. There is not a huge amount of accommodation and not masses of walkers either but it links in to a number of other walks. If you get the chance do try it.
Hi Charles. We are heading off in August to walk this route. How many days did you take to walk? We have planned 11. Hope we are not rushing it too much.I'm back home now after finishing the GR70 last week . What a marvellous experience, so very different from the Camino de Santiago yet so very worthwhile. It is essentially a series of crossings from valley floors to mountain ridges , very strenuous in parts and so very scenic.
Hi Charles. I did see your posts on Facebook with your great photos. Oh dear, we are booked into Auberge des Cévennes. I’m a bit worried now.My French National compatriots organised this tour for that loose collection of international Camino walkers that coalesced during the Last Frances .
To do so was a logistical task and in doing so the walk contracted from an initial 15 days to the eventual 11 .
I felt 11 was too short and some days far too long and arduous Sharon , the countryside is extraordinarily beautiful and the need to cover 30 odd km per days detracts from this .
Spend more time in the villages if you can , this is where the true soul of the country is displayed , it is certainly where I felt that I was experiencing the true France .
Some days were nothing more than long forest walks with the occasional exquisite vista through the trees to a neighbouring valley , other days passed through villages I would have given an eye tooth to stay in .
Be prepared for some hard days , the tracks are rough , much rougher than any on the Frances , rocks the size of footballs over mud and uphill for ten km or more .
The last day into St Jean Du Gard was particularly arduous , it was certainly a relief to finally reach our destination .
My back started twinging on this last day and so I did not walk on to Ales but went by car instead . Others in the group continued and found that particular walk horrendous , akin to rock climbing the entire day as one put it . It is probably enough to say that these seasoned ' toughies ' went straight to bed with no drinks or a meal after arriving ; it was that hard .
Some observations ;
Water , we found it difficult to find even in June , August will be harder and the need greater , carry more than you think you might need , the terrain will make you thirsty . One tip I used to some good result , if you find yourself dry visit any cemetery , there is usually a potable water tap inside somewhere for watering flowers , I drank from some with no ill effects . The only fountain for walkers I noticed was in Luc , a small town with no shop or bar , but a nice enough village for an overnight stay in any case .
Accommodation , hit and miss it seems , and not as readily available as in Spain .
Some good , La Lozerette in Cocures , a lovely hotel with a garden to lounge in across the road , good wine friendly staff , good food , nice rooms .
Hotel Le Beausejour in Langogne , undergoing renovation but still comfortable , quirky and with two very amiable hosts that do your laundry for free . They have delightful pet dogs as well !
Some not so good , Hotel des Cevennes in Pont Mont Vert , looks amazing and many have found it to be comfortable , I didn't . It may well be better in August once the weather clears but I found it to be a wet, damp and miserable place with mouldy wet mattresses and walls dripping condensation , the room I slept in was over the road from the main rickety building and on top of the kitchen freezers . So as well as lying on a wet bed I had the continual thump of compressors turning on throughout the night . The meals have often been described as wonderful , the chef must have been on holiday because the thin onion soup and mystery stew served to us did nothing but stave off a little hunger .
Towns , Florac , Yes Sabine , a really nice village with beaut grocery and bakery shops on the way out of town for buying supplies and lunch .
Luc , quiet , quirky and with a church that is built on a Roman chapel , parts of which are still visible at the rear behind the altar .
Goudet , a small village with a beautiful hotel run by a gorgeous Madame .
Mirandol , a village straight out of a Thomas the Tank Engine story , so picturesque as to be almost unreal , stay here if you can , I have no idea as to accommodation but the very village itself , with its railway viaduct is worth it .
Gear , consider boots , I wore Merrell Moab trail runners and managed but if you have ankles that need support this trail will challenge you . If you do wear runners short gaiters will help with all the small stones .
Rain gear , the rain that doesn't fall in Spain goes to France , I regretted not bringing my Gore Tex jacket .
Laundry , it is much harder to wash or have your clothes washed on this GR , bring clothes that will dry fast . Poles , in my opinion if you attempt this GR without them you are asking for twisted ankles , knees and possibly a broken face .
I've posted a few photos on the Stevenson's group Facebook site , they don't do this GR the justice it deserves , a truly delightful walk , if you can take a little longer at it .
Thanks Charles.Sharon don't despair re Pont Mt Vert i suspect my experience was due to a convergence of circumstance, hopefully you will be more fortunate. Try to stay in the main building if you can , even though the roof is half comprised oc tar paper it is drier than the newer building across the lane . The madame will not wash or dry clothes for you so make arrangements to wash clothes the next day . I'm sure August will be a paradise in the Cevannes.
Charles, have you taken the GR68 shortcut to Florac, bypassing Bedoues, i’m hoping to walk from Le Pont de Montvert and it could shorten a long day by a little bit.My French National compatriots organised this tour for that loose collection of international Camino walkers that coalesced during the Last Frances .
To do so was a logistical task and in doing so the walk contracted from an initial 15 days to the eventual 11 .
I felt 11 was too short and some days far too long and arduous Sharon , the countryside is extraordinarily beautiful and the need to cover 30 odd km per days detracts from this .
Spend more time in the villages if you can , this is where the true soul of the country is displayed , it is certainly where I felt that I was experiencing the true France .
Some days were nothing more than long forest walks with the occasional exquisite vista through the trees to a neighbouring valley , other days passed through villages I would have given an eye tooth to stay in .
Be prepared for some hard days , the tracks are rough , much rougher than any on the Frances , rocks the size of footballs over mud and uphill for ten km or more .
The last day into St Jean Du Gard was particularly arduous , it was certainly a relief to finally reach our destination .
My back started twinging on this last day and so I did not walk on to Ales but went by car instead . Others in the group continued and found that particular walk horrendous , akin to rock climbing the entire day as one put it . It is probably enough to say that these seasoned ' toughies ' went straight to bed with no drinks or a meal after arriving ; it was that hard .
Some observations ;
Water , we found it difficult to find even in June , August will be harder and the need greater , carry more than you think you might need , the terrain will make you thirsty . One tip I used to some good result , if you find yourself dry visit any cemetery , there is usually a potable water tap inside somewhere for watering flowers , I drank from some with no ill effects . The only fountain for walkers I noticed was in Luc , a small town with no shop or bar , but a nice enough village for an overnight stay in any case .
Accommodation , hit and miss it seems , and not as readily available as in Spain .
Some good , La Lozerette in Cocures , a lovely hotel with a garden to lounge in across the road , good wine friendly staff , good food , nice rooms .
Hotel Le Beausejour in Langogne , undergoing renovation but still comfortable , quirky and with two very amiable hosts that do your laundry for free . They have delightful pet dogs as well !
Some not so good , Hotel des Cevennes in Pont Mont Vert , looks amazing and many have found it to be comfortable , I didn't . It may well be better in August once the weather clears but I found it to be a wet, damp and miserable place with mouldy wet mattresses and walls dripping condensation , the room I slept in was over the road from the main rickety building and on top of the kitchen freezers . So as well as lying on a wet bed I had the continual thump of compressors turning on throughout the night . The meals have often been described as wonderful , the chef must have been on holiday because the thin onion soup and mystery stew served to us did nothing but stave off a little hunger .
Towns , Florac , Yes Sabine , a really nice village with beaut grocery and bakery shops on the way out of town for buying supplies and lunch .
Luc , quiet , quirky and with a church that is built on a Roman chapel , parts of which are still visible at the rear behind the altar .
Goudet , a small village with a beautiful hotel run by a gorgeous Madame .
Mirandol , a village straight out of a Thomas the Tank Engine story , so picturesque as to be almost unreal , stay here if you can , I have no idea as to accommodation but the very village itself , with its railway viaduct is worth it .
Gear , consider boots , I wore Merrell Moab trail runners and managed but if you have ankles that need support this trail will challenge you . If you do wear runners short gaiters will help with all the small stones .
Rain gear , the rain that doesn't fall in Spain goes to France , I regretted not bringing my Gore Tex jacket .
Laundry , it is much harder to wash or have your clothes washed on this GR , bring clothes that will dry fast . Poles , in my opinion if you attempt this GR without them you are asking for twisted ankles , knees and possibly a broken face .
I've posted a few photos on the Stevenson's group Facebook site , they don't do this GR the justice it deserves , a truly delightful walk , if you can take a little longer at it .
Charles, have you taken the GR68 shortcut to Florac, bypassing Bedoues, i’m hoping to walk from Le Pont de Montvert and it could shorten a long day by a little bit.
Thanks so much kayagee66. Will join. We start the RLS Chemin on 17th August this year. Am very excited to be doing this after toying with the idea for a few years. We will then walk from Arles to Santiago when we have finished it.
My French National compatriots organised this tour for that loose collection of international Camino walkers that coalesced during the Last Frances .
To do so was a logistical task and in doing so the walk contracted from an initial 15 days to the eventual 11 .
I felt 11 was too short and some days far too long and arduous Sharon , the countryside is extraordinarily beautiful and the need to cover 30 odd km per days detracts from this .
Spend more time in the villages if you can , this is where the true soul of the country is displayed , it is certainly where I felt that I was experiencing the true France .
Some days were nothing more than long forest walks with the occasional exquisite vista through the trees to a neighbouring valley , other days passed through villages I would have given an eye tooth to stay in .
Be prepared for some hard days , the tracks are rough , much rougher than any on the Frances , rocks the size of footballs over mud and uphill for ten km or more .
The last day into St Jean Du Gard was particularly arduous , it was certainly a relief to finally reach our destination .
My back started twinging on this last day and so I did not walk on to Ales but went by car instead . Others in the group continued and found that particular walk horrendous , akin to rock climbing the entire day as one put it . It is probably enough to say that these seasoned ' toughies ' went straight to bed with no drinks or a meal after arriving ; it was that hard .
Some observations ;
Water , we found it difficult to find even in June , August will be harder and the need greater , carry more than you think you might need , the terrain will make you thirsty . One tip I used to some good result , if you find yourself dry visit any cemetery , there is usually a potable water tap inside somewhere for watering flowers , I drank from some with no ill effects . The only fountain for walkers I noticed was in Luc , a small town with no shop or bar , but a nice enough village for an overnight stay in any case .
Accommodation , hit and miss it seems , and not as readily available as in Spain .
Some good , La Lozerette in Cocures , a lovely hotel with a garden to lounge in across the road , good wine friendly staff , good food , nice rooms .
Hotel Le Beausejour in Langogne , undergoing renovation but still comfortable , quirky and with two very amiable hosts that do your laundry for free . They have delightful pet dogs as well !
Some not so good , Hotel des Cevennes in Pont Mont Vert , looks amazing and many have found it to be comfortable , I didn't . It may well be better in August once the weather clears but I found it to be a wet, damp and miserable place with mouldy wet mattresses and walls dripping condensation , the room I slept in was over the road from the main rickety building and on top of the kitchen freezers . So as well as lying on a wet bed I had the continual thump of compressors turning on throughout the night . The meals have often been described as wonderful , the chef must have been on holiday because the thin onion soup and mystery stew served to us did nothing but stave off a little hunger .
Towns , Florac , Yes Sabine , a really nice village with beaut grocery and bakery shops on the way out of town for buying supplies and lunch .
Luc , quiet , quirky and with a church that is built on a Roman chapel , parts of which are still visible at the rear behind the altar .
Goudet , a small village with a beautiful hotel run by a gorgeous Madame .
Mirandol , a village straight out of a Thomas the Tank Engine story , so picturesque as to be almost unreal , stay here if you can , I have no idea as to accommodation but the very village itself , with its railway viaduct is worth it .
Gear , consider boots , I wore Merrell Moab trail runners and managed but if you have ankles that need support this trail will challenge you . If you do wear runners short gaiters will help with all the small stones .
Rain gear , the rain that doesn't fall in Spain goes to France , I regretted not bringing my Gore Tex jacket .
Laundry , it is much harder to wash or have your clothes washed on this GR , bring clothes that will dry fast . Poles , in my opinion if you attempt this GR without them you are asking for twisted ankles , knees and possibly a broken face .
I've posted a few photos on the Stevenson's group Facebook site , they don't do this GR the justice it deserves , a truly delightful walk , if you can take a little longer at it .
Hi GittiThat's great, thanks very much.
HI, i’m walking first week in September, so are some of the members of the facebook group.Hi Planning to walk first few days in Sept.
I would be very interested to see your stages and distances as well as feed back on accommodation experiences and special places not to be missed on the way.
Thank you
This only answers your question to St Jean du Gard, but should help. It is a wonderful, diverse trail. https://www.macsadventure.com/us/tour-586/stevensons-trail-completeHi, I'm planning to walk The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail, GR 70, next September. It's roughly a 2 to 3 week walk through the Cevennes in France. If any members here have walked it, or might be interested in walking it, can I direct you to the facebook group,
Robert Louis Stevenson Trail - GR 70.
It is a closed group but if you search it and send a join request you will be added. It is a friendly group and the more people who can help with tips and advice the better, and if you walk it your photos and comments are very welcome. Thanks.
Both MAPS.ME and Google provide vertical displacement between two points. CAUTION the routes created may not match the formally marked routes.does someone have a day to day elevation gain/loss table they could share starting from le puy to ales?
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