Gare de Le Puy-en-Velay walks

A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.

This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.

Twenty to thirty thousand walkers set out from Puy-en-Velay every year to do the pilgrimage along the Way of St. James. Discover the Way of St. James by doing the first stage by foot. You can return to Puy-en-Velay in the evening in a special coach.

First stage of the Way of St James by bike, heading to Chanaleilles from Le Puy-en-Velay. This route follows the Way of St James, avoiding roads with traffic as much as possible and respecting pilgrims on foot. There are, however, a few technical sections that can be avoided by taking the road.

Sixteenth stage of the Way of St James. From Le Puy-en-Velay to the picturesque village of Saint-Privat-d’Allier, don’t forget to look back and admire the view of the Marian city. Once you arrive in Saint-Privat-d’Allier, you’ll look out over the impressive Gorges de l’Allier and its still-wild river. Crossing the Velay region and its fields of lentils, as well as the Devès mountain range, is on the itinerary for this stage.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).

Fifteenth stage of the Way of St James. In the heart of the Meygal, Queyrières, a village in the Haute-Loire department, stands beside its basalt rock. From there, you begin the descent towards Le Puy-en-Velay, passing through Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and its mills that once lined the Sumène. A gentle end to the route with a leisurely finish as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, a major pilgrimage site.

This seventeenth "mountain" stage with significant elevation gain takes you to the village of Monistrol-d'Allier and the troglodyte chapel of La Madeleine, which are must-see sights before arriving in Saugues.

This route is the third stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This is undoubtedly the easiest stage of the tour. The route follows the GR®70 (follow the well-known GR® markings). Please note the route may have been slightly modified from what is shown on the map, in particular to avoid a few short stretches of busy road.

The point of interest on this route is linked to the history of the Transcévenole, an old railway line, and the Récoumène Viaduct. It also offers beautiful views of the region.