Walking the Cévennes

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walking cevennes

"It's hiking, Jim, but not as we know it."
Walking France's 'final frontier' is an unforgettable experience.

Key Facts

1. Theme

 walking the cevennes

When Hiking the Cevennes, life is here in microcosm. The Cevennes is an area of extraordinary diversity and Cevennes hiking is a fascinating journey from megalithic to modern times. It's tale is one of man’s enduring capacity to innovate, destroy and yet survive. At a time when we are witnessing a back-to-nature movement, here is one of the best preserved of French territories and an oasis of forgotten life.

The Cevennes is characterised by steep slopes and narrow valleys, it has never been a homogenous administrative or geographical space, yet has a strong self-identity that touches universal themes:

a) The Spirit of Freedom and the championing of The Rights of Man–offering refuge from oppression for Protestant, Spanish,Republican, Jew, French Resistance Fighter and Hippy.

b) The struggle for self sufficiency against ineluctable economic forces – the birth and decline of ways of life due to pestilence, competition and ‘progress’ and countryside exodus, followed by tentative re-settlement by those wishing to preserve ancient crafts or seeking an alternative, organic future.

walking cevennes c) Man’s struggle to master nature – dams, irrigated terraces and aqueducts are testimony to man’s structuring of his environment to both protect himself from the ravages of water and capture it for his needs.

This is a multi-thematic hiking vacation in France’s last undiscovered ‘Region’.

Read our article on The Cévennes.

Useful background information on The Cévennes National Park can be found here.

For a 4-night walking tour in France of the same theme, see Walking in France's Magnificent Cévennes

If you like train journeys, see our alternative approach to hiking the Cevennes, Walking in France by Train.

walking in Cevennes

2. Model 6-night Walking the Cévennes tour

 walking in the cevennes

Day 1. Gateway to The Cévennes.

Arrival and hotel check-in in Alès.Visit to this modern and attractive market town.Tour briefing at hotel and night in Alès.

Day 2. Montclar Pass. 10 miles -15kms, with shorter option.

Short train ride to Génolhac and a hike in the heart of Hugeunot country. After a criss-cross of a climb up an ancient drovers' trail, you reach a picturesque plateau, a scenic pass and, for the brave, a short, steep climb that will reward you with views no camera can reproduce. Second night in Alès.

Day 3. Cevennes Panorama. 12 miles-18 kms.

walking cevennes

The day starts with a taxi transfer to the start of the trail. You walk to Mialet across the mountain crest with outstanding views eastwards over the entire Garrigue as far as Mont Ventoux in Provence and beyond to the Alps; northwards to Mont Lozere, south-westwards to Mont Aigoual and southwards to Pic St Loup and the Mediterranean. You can also visit The Protestant Museum en route. Night near Anduze.

Day 4. La Fage. 9.5 miles-14.5 kms

Great views continue today, with more hill-crest walking and an orientation table with spectacular views soth westwards to Mount Aigoule. Descending into the valley, you see chestnut groves and a working farm before arriving at the Grotte des Camisards and the Pont des Camisards. Night near Anduze.

Day 5. Mialet to St Jean du Gard. 5.5 miles-8kms.

walking in France Today you walk only the morning, along the Gardon Valley and follow the GR 61 to St Jean. There's plenty to do in the afternoon: steam train and picture-postcard ‘gare’, history museum, castle, cafes and restaurants. Night in St Jean du Gard.

Day 6. Corniche des Cevennes. 10 miles-15kms.

The grande finale of the week: climb an ancient drovers' trail, walked by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1878, to a memorable 360 degree panorama. Night in St Jean du Gard.

Day 7. End of your hiking in France.

Tour de-briefing. Transfer back to Alès. Au revoir et à bientôt.

Note: as part of our policy of continual review and improvement, we reserve the right to make alterations to our walking tours in France.

walking the cevennes

3. Accommodation

You stay in three different places/hotels en route. They are:
1. Alès - two nights;
2. Near Anduze - two nights;
3. St Jean du Gard - two nights;

4. What's Included
  • 6 nights B & B -
    leaving you free to purchase your meals according to your personal preferences and budget:
    relevant information is available in your dossier;
  • Pre-tour briefing and post-tour de-briefing;
  • Luggage transfers and transport integral to the programme,
    including return train tickets on Day 2 and return transfer from St Jean to Ales at end of tour;
    • walking cevennes
  • Walking France Insight Notes™ that make orientation simple;
  • Themed vacation dossier;
  • Comprehensive travel notes & logistical information;
  • Option to leave your car in secure parking in Ales and collect it upon your return¹;
  • Emergency telephone help-line service by local British nationals;

    • ¹ Cars are left at owners risk.

5. Prices 2009
  • Price per person based on 2 persons sharing double room:
    • £495.00 or €575.00 or $740.00.
  • Single person rate:
    • £640.00 or €745.00 or $985.00

    Click to go to Booking and Costs

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