It's attracting because it's easy and frequented, it's not high mountains like the Pyrenees or the Alps.
There are frequent resuply, several choices of accommodation, there are not too many elevation gain, the path is well marked, in short, all the conditions are met to make some test, to get started without thinking too much, to experiment.
Obviously, the difficulties will be different depending on your hiking experience and your physical conditions.
It's necessary to take into account the 7655m of gain elevation and a little more in negative.
The closer we get to the end, the higher it gets.
It also can be very hot, and there are some stages that can be a little long, so take it at your own pace!
It's definitely worth it because it's very pretty and pleasant.
We find ourselves in a very green environment, agreeably hilly. There are streams and rivers to cool off, the landscape changes as you go along.
And personally, I love the smell of the pine forests and the sound of the cicadas.
I won't tell you about Robert Louis Stevenson because I'm not a big fan of him, but if you want to bring a book during your trip, I would highly recommend "Marche en pleins ciel" by Gwenaêlle Abolivier .
It was my first hike alone, although I had crossed France on foot, hike through Swedish Lapland and experienced many other adventures, I had never gone alone, and despite my countless nights outside I always continued to be afraid of the dark.
This trek, on the Stevenson, in bivouac all alone was to overcome this, to face my greatest fear.
So it remains a big challenge for me and the GR70 was perfect for experimenting and getting out of my comfort zone.
I would say that it's a trek quite suitable for the first experiences, there were many women who set out on it to try walking alone, or groups of people who tried hiking for the first time, couple who tried to camp , families taking their childrens walking...
Which makes the path quite nice because you meet all types of people in the end.
I hike it in August and it was reasonably crowded, I expected to see lots of people, potentially with donkeys, and overbooked sections, but not at all.
It was just what was needed, nice enough to meet people during the day, sharing conversions, bits of roads, but there was no hardly anyone slept outside and rarely people in the same place as me during my breaks
.
The experience is surely different when you follow the stages and sleep in the lodges, if this is your case check it in advance and book your nights, apparently it's quickly full
To note that all the accomodations weren't full during my crossing.
It can also be interesting to do it before/after the summer to avoid hot weather or if you particularly like the loneliness.
To note that before may, the weather remains quite harsh, and that from October there can be a lot of rain.
To get to Stevenson by public transport, there is a SNCF station in Puy en Velay and Alès.
The trail is very well marked, you must however be careful when it crosses other GR, I advise you to go with a GPX tracker.
It's also very well documented that it's on the web or on paper, which allows you to be well organized for your stages, whether you sleep in a bivouac, on a campsite or in accommodation.
It can be really really hot during the summer, due to global warming, there will be more and more scorching heat waves, and there is many long sections without shade, especially at the beginning.
You really have to equip yourself accordingly, don't hesitate to get wet > as soon as you can, and drink a lot (lemonade is life).
Water points (fountains, faucets, etc.) are found in almost all villages, but I would still recommend taking a filter > with you just in case, always carry extra water to be careful, and if you are ever in trouble don't forget to look in the cemeteries, there is normally always a tap available.
On the other hand it can quickly get cool at night, especially when you approach the Cévennes, if you plan to camp, don't forget a good down jacketand a good sleeping bag
If you need, there is my gear list as well as an article about that.
It's totally possible to camp along the way.
At the beginning is a little bit complicated because there are a lot of fields and private properties, but it's always possible to find small places on the side of the paths.
The further we advance, the easier it becomes because there are more and more forests.
Of course, like everywhere else, you must respect the bivouac rules;
- Set up your tent in the evening, from 6 p.m./7 p.m.
- Leave early the next morning around 7/9 a.m.
- Take all your waste with you.
- Leave no trace of your passage.
- Don't make a fire, especially in summer and in risk areas.
- Respect the no bivouac zones, especially in sensitive and preserved areas, they are indicated by signs.
- Enjoy the calm and the stars.
It's possible to have daily supplies in tiny villages grocery stores and some larger supermarkets from time to time like in Langogne and Florac.
It's also entirely possible to do this while being vegan, and if you need help or ideas on this subject, don't hesitate to read my article about it.
The resupplies :
Puy en Velay : Casinon supermarché.
Monastier sur Gazeille : Intermarché contact / Vival
Bouchet St Nicolas : Epicerie fruits et légumes Le panier Bouchitois
Pradelles : Vival
Langogne : Carrefour contact / Intermarché super
La bastide Puylaurent : Vival point montagne
Chasserades : Epicerie Service Gourmand
Le bleymard : Carrefour express
Le pont de Montvert : epicerie
Florac Trois Rivières : Intermarché super / Carrefour market (!! Magnum vegan!!)
St Germain de Calberte : Alimentation générale Tabasc, Presse – Besse Pascal
St Etienne vallée Française : Spar
St jean du gard : U express
Alés : Casino super
I hope you will find this article helpful. Don't hesitate to contact me on my socials medias, for any questions, it's with pleasure that I would exchange on this topic and the others.
Wonderful adventures to all !
>
>
>
