GR70 · In Stevenson’s footsteps
The Stevenson Trail
In the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine, the GR70 links the Velay to the Cévennes through wild and unspoilt landscapes.
In 1878, the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson crossed the Cévennes on foot, accompanied by his donkey Modestine, and recounted his journey in “Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes”. His route became the GR70, one of the most popular long-distance trails in France.
The trail starts from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille, near Cayres, and reaches Alès via Mont Lozère and the Cévennes. The gîte is ideally located on its first stages in the Haute-Loire.
A legendary route
About 270 km separate Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille from Alès, around a dozen stages across the Velay, the Gévaudan and the Cévennes. The GR70 alternates high plateaus, forests, rivers and granite villages, in a landscape that has changed little since Stevenson passed through.
It is a trail suited to regular walkers, with continuous white-and-red waymarking. Many walk it in one to two weeks; others do just a few stages.
Hiking with a donkey
True to Stevenson’s spirit, many walkers hire a pack donkey to carry the bags and keep the children company. Several hire operators are based around Le Monastier and the Velay plateau.
Whether you walk with or without a donkey, the Cayres area makes a starting point or a very first stage of the trail, peaceful and well rested.
The gîte, a hiking stopover
Single-night stays welcome, self check-in via the key box for early starts, and advice on the stages and the weather: the gîte is designed for hikers passing through.
After a day’s walking, you find a comfortable room, a shared kitchen to prepare your meal and all the quiet of the Devès plateau.
At a glance
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GR70
From Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille to the Cévennes, ~270 km.
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The Stevenson spirit
In the footsteps of the writer and his donkey Modestine.
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Hiker stopover
One night accepted, early self check-in possible.
Ready to follow in Stevenson’s footsteps?
Stop over at the Gîte de Cayres, on the first sections of the GR70. Book your night direct.