Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille walks

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).

In Haute-Loire, in the "midlands" of Auvergne, starting from Le Monastier sur Gazeille, take a walk in the French "highlands", as R. L. Stevenson called them in 1878 when he stayed in Le Monastier before embarking on his journey that took him to Saint-Jean du Gard in 12 days with his donkey Modestine.

This hike takes you to the Recoumène viaduct, the village of Monastier-sur-Gazeille and the Meyzous plateau. The most beautiful part is the crossing of the Meyzous plateau amid meadows and dry stone walls. Throughout the route, you can admire different views of the Recoumène bridge and the Devès, Meygal and Mézenc mountain ranges.

An easy hike with magnificent 360° views of the Haute Loire.

Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.

This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.

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.

A lovely hike with little elevation gain. In the distance, the peaks of Mézenc. Alternating meadows, pretty hamlets and forests. Château de Vachères at the start.

Goudet is a crossing point on the Stevenson Trail (GR®70), which intersects with theGR®40, which we took for our departure. Two notable points of interest: the Moulin du Rocher mill and its organ pipes, and the Camp d'Antoune with its bird's eye view of the Loire.

A long walk alternating between panoramic views and beautiful woodland, discovering the Rocher Tourte, the water tower for the neighbouring villages, but also a playground for climbers in summer and sled dogs in winter.

A circular route for exploring the pretty Orcival valley, one of the first tributaries of the Loire. Part of the route is on a very quiet little road through the forest. Very pretty views of the Mézenc plateau.

A very short walk between the thatched village of Moudeyres, its eco-museum, the Ferme des Frères Perrel, and the heights of the Aubépin valley.

Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.

Panoramic walk around Freycenet-la Cuche with views of Mont Mézenc.

This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.

A very beautiful walk, with views in all directions over the peaks of the Haute-Loire. An easy hike, although there is a slightly uneven descent at the end of the route, requiring good footwear.

A beautiful circular hike, full of panoramic views, to discover the western part of the Mézenc plateau, with the Orcival, a tributary of the Loire, as your guide. Sometimes high up with the knolls as your horizon, sometimes flowing with the torrent as your guide, this is a hike in the heart of authentic Mézenc. Please note that this route includes a section of approximately 400 m across pastures, off the beaten track, as well as several fords across the torrent. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

This easy hike, which allows you to discover the very pretty village of Bigorre and its 17 thatched cottages, offers numerous views of the region and its diverse landscapes.

A magnificent discovery of the wild Loire and its tributary, the Orcival, hidden at the foot of Issarlès, with pretty pools, beautiful waterfalls and basalt cliffs. A short and easy hike, but one that still requires good footwear and a minimum of agility to navigate the sometimes slippery slabs along the banks of the Loire.

This route offers views over the wild gorges of the Gagne valley from La Pradette to the hamlet of Villard, as the valley floor is impassable. There are numerous viewpoints and minimal passage through undergrowth. This route is therefore ideal in spring and autumn, with only very hot summer days to be avoided.

This is an easy hike that offers beautiful views of the Saint-Julien basin and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Seigneur de Chapteuil. There are very few sections on small roads. This is a great hike if you have friends who are not used to hiking; they will come back delighted!

A short, easy walk. Beautiful scenery throughout, and two pretty villages (Le Betz and Auteyrac) with beautifully restored houses. Also worth seeing is the Betz Observatory.

Discover the Chibottes Valley, a site classified as a landscape of outstanding beauty since 8 March 2016. These small dry stone huts, built from stones cleared from the plots of land, were used as shelters by shepherds and farmers who cultivated orchards and terraced vineyards (known as "chambées"). This trail forms a loop, partly following the Way of St James on the way back.

This short hike allows you to discover hamlets overlooking Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, a few mills, bread ovens, Béates houses, a thatched cottage... all in a variety of environments (meadows, short grass, coniferous and beech forests...). Most of the route is in open country.