The Cevennes are a marvelous, undiscovered, profound area of France. This hike starts out following the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson as described in his book "Travels with a Donkey". It moves along into an area shrouded in the mysterious past of violent, mythical nighttime creatures, up to a high mountain weather station, down into a fantasyland of rock formations and ancient caves past cool rivers to soothe your feet, to secluded refuges where local dishes are served out on long picnic tables. At the end of the hike down a winding series of switchbacks to the lovely ancient village of St Etienne in the gorge of the Lozere.
At many points along the trail we would pass through farms such as this.
Sometimes the trail goes right through the farmer's land. We stopped and filled water bottles at this farm.
We had reached the highest point in the trail about mid-day.
Our host at the gite. We had a wonderful dinner on the terrace that night and could not believe the amazing meal they served. Mama was in the kitchen cooking all day. It must have been a 15 course meal, so much that we were laughing at the unending serving of the food. It was all delicious and the hospitality they showed us was very appreciated.
My feet were not looking very pretty after our long day of 20+ miles. I blamed it all on the shoes.
At another refuge, the guardians served a traditional cheese dish and potato dish that I thought was out of this world. Someone told me they saw them using dried potato flakes! Probably I was under the spell of the beautiful landscape and long day of hiking, but I recall it as one of the best meals I've ever had.
Deep in the Cevennes are impossible looking rock formations. There was a large area of them not far from our 4th night refuge.
It seemed that just a small push could roll them off, but they wouldn't budge.
Looking down into the valley for the last stretch of the hike.
The river forms a spectacular gorge with waterfalls and rapids.
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