Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française (Lébou) - Mialet (Audibert)

Twelfth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. It passes through several valleys among the Gardon rivers.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Chemin de Stevenson (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail)

Technical sheet

327269
Creation:
Last update:
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Caution, this route is Very difficult

This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.

  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.48 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 7 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 896 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 778 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 633 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 168 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts at Lébou on the D984 between Saint-Germain-de-Calberte and Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française, shortly before arriving in the latter town.

(S) You start off by following the D984 in the direction of Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française. You walk cautiously along the edge of this road for 750m (ignoring the first small road which climbs to the right towards Masbernat).

(1) It's only 200m farther on that you'll find a path that bends to the right. You take this one (markings on the ground - direction "Dourmen" - but beware, the markings sometimes seem to be intentionally destroyed). The path rises a little and then remains on the hillside in the trees before reaching the first houses of Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française (le Meyran district) 700m farther on. The path has become a small road (rue) which begins to descend quite sharply, turning right then left. Another road joins you after the first-aid post. Keep going downhill in front of you.

(2) Shortly afterwards, you reach the D984 at the sign for "Saint Étienne en Vallée Française". Continue on the D984, which turns left (signposted "Restaurant Bar Glacier ..."). Continue along the D984, ignoring the streets to your left and right, for just under 600m to reach the village centre, where the D984 turns right at the corner of the "Le Chataignon" store.

(3) You're in the old village center and have turned right keeping the D984. You pass through the village, staying on the departmental road which is the village's main street. It runs in a straight line for 300m. You pass a school, a restaurant, one or two mini-markets and the new town hall. Shortly after this, you cross a bridge over a stream, and a little farther on the D984 bends to the left.

(4) On your right, you'll find a small road between two low walls. Take this small road (signposted "Lancize - chambres d'hôtes"). After about 50m, a path twists to the left. Take this path, which climbs through the trees and then twists again to the right a little later. You pass the top of the hill near a B&B house and then go down the other side to return to the D984 at a crossroads. Follow the roadside signs for Saint-Jean-du-Gard (this is the D983). 250m farther on, you come to a bridge.

(5) This is the bridge over the Gardon de Sainte-Croix, which the D983 crosses. Cross the bridge and immediately afterwards, take the small path that starts on the right-hand side. The path climbs steadily up the hill for about 1km, with a section on the rock itself (a drainage channel is dug into the rock). So ignore the small paths that might lead you back down. The path ends its ascent, joining a larger track which you follow, veering to the right for a farther 500m or so uphill. You then come to a track in the middle of a switchback.

(6) Take this track to the left and make the next two switchbacks, ignoring a track coming from your right (in the first switchback). You're now on the other side of the hill, but you continue to climb on this track, ignoring another track which, at a Y-junction, starts off to your left. You will eventually reach a road (the D9) at a point where there is a milestone and a small plaque indicating "D.F.C.I". Take this D9 in front of you (to the left) and follow it carefully for almost 700m.

(7) You arrive at the Col de Saint-Pierre. On your right, under the trees, you'll find a picnic area and a signposted path. Ignore the latter, as the GR®70 turns right some 20m farther on into a steeply descending path (old route, now the GR®70 goes off a little further to the left). Be careful, the descent is dangerous and can be slippery in places, with water seeping and trickling down. You will descend for about 1.7km to a group of two or three houses at a place called l'Affenadou. The path widens out and gradually becomes a small road, winding broadly to the right and then left a little farther down. Continuing downhill, another track joins you on the right. Continue along this road. You soon come to the houses at the aptly named "Pied-de-Côte". Ignore the bit of road to your left, and move on, passing between the old houses with their remarkable architecture. A little farther on, you come to the D907, which overlooks the Gardon de Saint-Jean.

(8) Follow the D907 very carefully for 1.4km, sometimes taking advantage of a low-lying road to cut off from the traffic. 400m after the junction with the D260, which comes in from the left, you'll find a path that takes a right turn through the vegetation, allowing you to walk between the river and the main road.

(9) After 600m on this path, you come to the Pont de Cambonéral, which you take right to cross over the Gardon. Continue on the small road and, at the next T-intersection, turn left (la Boriette de Cambonéral). The road becomes a track at the level of a large property, then 400m farther on passes through the courtyard of a farmhouse (la Baumette de Viala). After another 400m, you come to the old bridge at Saint-Jean-du-Gard.

(10) The path passes under an arch of the old bridge and immediately turns right to become a small road again, leading to a roundabout. At the roundabout, you enter the first houses in Saint-Jean-du-Gard. Turn left (towards the town center) onto Avenue de la Résistance. Drive to the end of this road, and shortly after the sports fields, you'll come to a crossroads between two restaurants (on your right, you'll see the Saint-Jean-du-Gard train station). Opposite the station, turn left (towards the town center) onto the D44 (this is Avenue René Boudon). Continuing on this road, you cross the bridge over the Gardon de Saint-Jean and arrive in the center of Saint-Jean-du-Gard.

(11) Go straight through the center (the street has become "Rue Maréchal de Thoiras") and reach the crossroads with the Grand'rue. Continue straight ahead on Avenue Abraham Mazel (D983 - direction "La poste"). 100m farther on, you come to another crossroads and take the continuation of Rue Abraham Mazel (D983 - direction Saint-Etienne-V.F. / Mialet). The road gradually climbs and turns left. After a waste sorting station and the courtyard of a recessed building, take the first right onto Chemin de Luc (direction Quartier de Luc / Gymnase des Fumades). Follow up this winding street for about 650m, ignoring the small streets that take you both left and right (you stay on the right-hand side of the road, signposted "no vehicles over 6 tons"). Higher up, you gradually leave the neighborhood and enter the trees (properties scattered among the trees), still following the "no over 6-tons" sign.

(12) You come to a Y-junction where you take the left-hand branch (Chemin de Mialet). Approximately 200 m farther on, the small road twists to the right, which you follow (ignoring the path which turns left). After another bend to the left, the small road continues to climb. Ignore the path to the right, which leads to a few houses, and gradually reach the summit, following the contour line.

(13) You reach a T-junction where you take the right-hand road. The road then turns left to reach a place called La Borie. You remain at about the same altitude. But once you've climbed a little, you come to a Y-intersection where you take the left-hand branch. Gradually, the road begins to descend. Stay on the road, ignoring any paths to the left or right. The small road twists and turns a few times. In fact, you go downhill for about 1.7km before reaching the "La Berge Fleurie" campsite on the banks of the Gardon de Mialet.

(14) At the campsite entrance, you'll see the bridge over the Gardon on your left. Cross the bridge and follow the road (ignoring the one on your right) to reach the D50. Go left for about 50 metres. Then you come to a sunken track on your right, which starts out under the foliage. Take this path, which then becomes a footpath and takes you up 200m in a little over 1km. The slope is steep and difficult in places, but keep to the signs to reach the hamlet of l'Elzière. There you can admire the old buildings you'll pass between. In the narrow street where you end up, turn left to leave the houses and head up the smaller, much gentler road. You'll reach the D160 at a waste sorting station. Take this D160 to the right to reach the hamlet of Audibert a little farther on, which is the finish point of this route (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 271 m - Lieu-dit "Lébou" at Saint-Etienne-V.F.
  2. 1 : km 2.39 - alt. 257 m - Centre of the village of Saint-Etienne-V.F.
  3. 2 : km 3.84 - alt. 233 m - St-Jean-du-Gard. Bridge over the - Gardon de Sainte-Croix (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Gardon
  4. 3 : km 6.97 - alt. 597 m - Col de St-Pierre at Saint-Jean-du-Gard
  5. 4 : km 7.68 - alt. 616 m - Start on the right of the path
  6. 5 : km 14.35 - alt. 189 m - Saint-Jean-du-Gard town centre
  7. 6 : km 16.11 - alt. 308 m - Right at the T-junction
  8. 7 : km 18.69 - alt. 172 m - Bridge over the Gardon de Mialet at Mialet - Le Gardon
  9. E : km 20.48 - alt. 397 m - Lieu-dit "Audibert" at Les-Aigladines / Mialet

Practical information

Shortly after your departure, you'll find all the shops you need in (3) Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française. You'll also find accommodation there, if required. Likewise, (11) Saint-Jean-du-Gard, farther along the route, is full of shops, restaurants and accommodation. Your arrival point (E) "Audibert / Les-Aigladines" has accommodation but no shops.
(7) The GR®70 no longer passes through here, but goes off to the left a little farther along the road.

In the nearby area

(3) The old center of Saint-Etienne-Vallée-Française.
(11) Saint-Jean-du-Gard: old bridge, tower, church.
Cévennes landscapes.
The Gardons and their many opportunities for bathing in the right season.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Jajasep
Jajasep

Marion has sent us the following notice:
For your information, the following stage hike has been modified: the GR 70 was diverted following landslides and bad weather in 2020: https://www.mongr.fr/sinspirer/actu/le-g....

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Les DJ
Les DJ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Please note! Following a landslide along the Gard during the recent floods, a section of the GR 70 has been removed. The new route starts at the "Col St-Pierre" post. It is very well signposted. From the Col Saint-Pierre, descend about 200 metres onto the D260, then turn left onto the tarmac path that climbs up. You then go deep into the undergrowth, where the path follows the ridge line, offering some very fine views over the valleys. Continue through the forest as far as the "Chemin d'Arbousse" sign and continue downhill to Saint Jean du Gard, where you can take the alternative route back along the Gard.

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Patlemarin
Patlemarin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

From St Etienne VF, if you don't have a donkey, rather than going via St Jean du Gard, you can head northwards over the badly damaged bridge over the Gardon to "la Planque" then "la combe" then "Combe d'Avelac" then "la Peyre" and "le Ranc". From here, take the dotted path shown on the maps, which runs above "l'Arbousset" and rejoins the path leading to the Pierre de la Vieille Morte (point 656) at point 570. Take the track leading to Peyreret (signposted) and follow the tracks to the Col d'Uglas. From here, there is a gîte (Les Hauts de Mazel) at 500 m, or downhill a little to other accommodation;
The next day, we set off directly for Alès without having to do the climb: the route to Alès from the Col d'Uglas is long and sporty enough as it is. Distance: 17 km, with some fine views.

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Michel lacroix
Michel lacroix

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Be careful, the GR is closed between the Col Saint Pierre and Saint Jean du Gard. You stay on the ridges and follow Saint Jean du Gard under the Teule. This part is called the new GR 70. This explains my "average" marks for the reliability sections of the description and the map.
A rival site offers the new route...
Note that the markers on the ridges are too far apart. I have informed the FFR of this.
To be continued.
Take care and be vigilant for future hikers on the Stevenson Trail who will be doing this stage.
Best regards and happy walking!

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Dompie
Dompie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We don't go through Mialet. At Aigladines, we continue towards the Col de l'Uglas, then St Paul la Coste and finally Alès.
A pleasant route. A lot of elevation gain up to St Paul la Coste, but some nice paths.
After that, the descent to Ales is tough. The route takes you over the crests for several kilometres, with peaks on either side and rocks to climb over.
But the views to the left and right are magnificent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arrival in Alès without any particular problems.

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Dompie
Dompie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

No particular difficulties.
The arrival at St Jean du Gard has been changed due to flooding. Please take care.

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Jolinoix
Jolinoix
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The last stage (for us) of the Stevenson trail, we set off from Saint-Etienne Vallée Française to finish in Saint-Jean-du-Gard (fairly short stage: 13.5 km). A fine climb up to the Col Saint-Pierre and a sometimes steep descent on the other side. The only drawbacks are the stretch of road leading to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, which is very busy with cars, and the path along the banks of the Gardon, which is sometimes hard to see. Crossing it to return to the town via the Vieux Pont makes up for this inconvenience. Don't miss: the museum (a former sericulture factory) and the ethnobotanical garden in Saint-Jean-du-Gard.

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Cathdetara
Cathdetara

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with varied scenery and some great swimming!

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Cathdetara
Cathdetara

In the end I did this hike in the opposite direction... leaving from Mialet on Friday evening with a bivouac at Les Aygladines, then on Saturday to the Col de Saint Pierre, and finally on Sunday morning to Saint Étienne Vallée Française. The climbs are certainly more difficult and should be avoided in the heat, but I would say difficult. And my colleague who did it again in the normal direction on Sunday in 6 hours found it easier that way! Otherwise, you'll come across some very beautiful and varied scenery and some great swimming spots!

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Campagne bessons
Campagne bessons

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I didn't do the whole stage, I stopped at st jean du Gard

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BOBJOSS05
BOBJOSS05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Be careful on the descent from the Col de ST PIERRE, the start is very tricky with high steps, a maze of rocks and roots.
Poles are very useful... On arrival at St Jean du Gard, there is a lot of tarmac and traffic, which is not very pleasant. End of Stevenson's
of Stevenson.

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