A donkey with colourful rucksacks on its back stands on a mountain path, grazing on grass. The bags are made up of different colours, including a yellow and a red one, and are
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Two women stand on a mountain path, surrounded by rolling countryside. One of them, wearing sunglasses and a colourful scarf, is stroking a donkey wearing a floral hat.
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A hiker accompanies a donkey along a mountain path, carrying rucksacks loaded on the donkey's back. The scene is surrounded by green bushes and hills, under a sky of
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A donkey and its calf stand on a rock, surrounded by ancient stones and discreet vegetation. The adult donkey stands up straight, with a curious expression, while the young donkey seems attentive.
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A dirt track is crossed by two donkeys carrying hiking bags, while two young girls walk alongside them. One of the girls is wearing a patterned T-shirt and shorts, smiling happily. The other is
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A panoramic view of green hills, with a swimming pool in the foreground. The hexagonal-shaped pool reflects the sky and the surrounding mountains. Next to it, a round table and a chair with a
1 / 0
A picturesque village nestling in a green valley, surrounded by hills covered in lush forests. The houses, built of stone with red-tiled roofs, are scattered around the village.
1 / 0
A group of people relaxing by a small, clear stretch of water, surrounded by nature. Two people are bathing in the water, while others are sitting on rocks or on the bank. The scene
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A donkey in harness is standing by a tree, shouting as it approaches a person who appears to be paying attention. This person, wearing a black hat, is turned slightly, revealing a small face.
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A group of five women are gathered around a green metal table, enjoying a convivial moment in the open air. They are seated on black chairs, with drinks laid out on the table, including bottles of
1 / 0
A rocky landscape reveals a smiling woman emerging from a hollow between two large stones. She is wearing a hat and a colourful outdoor outfit, with plaits falling over her shoulders. The
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A stone building with a slate roof, decorated with colourful flowers in hanging pots. The inscription "Domaine de la Vignette" can be seen above the entrance. Trees frame the scene
1 / 0
An undulating landscape in autumnal hues, with gentle hills covered in greenery and dry grass. Trees dot the terrain, while areas of yellow and green fields stand out.
1 / 0
A donkey with colourful rucksacks on its back stands on a mountain path, grazing on grass. The bags are made up of different colours, including a yellow and a red one, and are
Two women stand on a mountain path, surrounded by rolling countryside. One of them, wearing sunglasses and a colourful scarf, is stroking a donkey wearing a floral hat.
A hiker accompanies a donkey along a mountain path, carrying rucksacks loaded on the donkey's back. The scene is surrounded by green bushes and hills, under a sky of
A donkey and its calf stand on a rock, surrounded by ancient stones and discreet vegetation. The adult donkey stands up straight, with a curious expression, while the young donkey seems attentive.
A dirt track is crossed by two donkeys carrying hiking bags, while two young girls walk alongside them. One of the girls is wearing a patterned T-shirt and shorts, smiling happily. The other is
A panoramic view of green hills, with a swimming pool in the foreground. The hexagonal-shaped pool reflects the sky and the surrounding mountains. Next to it, a round table and a chair with a
A picturesque village nestling in a green valley, surrounded by hills covered in lush forests. The houses, built of stone with red-tiled roofs, are scattered around the village.
A group of people relaxing by a small, clear stretch of water, surrounded by nature. Two people are bathing in the water, while others are sitting on rocks or on the bank. The scene
A donkey in harness is standing by a tree, shouting as it approaches a person who appears to be paying attention. This person, wearing a black hat, is turned slightly, revealing a small face.
A group of five women are gathered around a green metal table, enjoying a convivial moment in the open air. They are seated on black chairs, with drinks laid out on the table, including bottles of
A rocky landscape reveals a smiling woman emerging from a hollow between two large stones. She is wearing a hat and a colourful outdoor outfit, with plaits falling over her shoulders. The
A stone building with a slate roof, decorated with colourful flowers in hanging pots. The inscription "Domaine de la Vignette" can be seen above the entrance. Trees frame the scene
An undulating landscape in autumnal hues, with gentle hills covered in greenery and dry grass. Trees dot the terrain, while areas of yellow and green fields stand out.

Hiking

Donkey trekking in the Cévennes

May to September
6 days| 5 nights
Level 1
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Set off to discover the Cévennes National Park, in the heart of the Massif Central, a place that is still isolated and wild - a place you will explore with an endearing animal with a strong character: a donkey.
An itinerant walk in which your mountain guide will take you in the footsteps of Stevenson in the company of a donkey.
Nights in isolated gîtes typical of the region and two nights bivouacking to contemplate the starriest sky in France, that of the Cévennes.
Cultural visits to picturesque villages steeped in history in the heights of the Cévennes, and meetings with local people

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 6
Night
gîte

We'll meet up at 5pm at Mas de Corbière to meet our group and guide. We'll have our first friendly meal together at the gîte, where we'll spend our first night.

DAY 2 / 6
Distance
Refuge
D+
14 km
Night
110m

The next day, after saddling up our donkeys, we'll head for the Col de l'Asclié (985 m) and its sheep bridge, created for the passage of flocks of ewes during the transhumance.

We'll take the transhumance route towards Mont Aigoual, used every year by almost 10,000 head of cattle to reach the still-green mountain pastures at higher altitudes.

After a break under the hetraie, we reach the beautiful sheepfolds of Bonperrier before continuing on to our gîte, Le Fenouillet. After looking after our donkeys, we'll have dinner at our accommodation, a small family-run business offering a warm welcome.

DAY 3 / 6
Distance
7km
D+
340m
Night
bivouac

On the third day, we'll take the winding paths lined with drystone walls to Ardalliers, a pretty village steeped in history and a hotbed of the Resistance. We'll then make our way to Puech Sigal, a magnificent hilltop hamlet, where we'll set up camp and meet Léo and Violette, who will be delighted to show us around their apiary...

In the evening, we'll spend our first night in a self-contained bivouac. We'll be taking advantage of the fact that the Cévennes National Park is one of the places with the least light pollution in France. It has also been awarded the title of Europe's largest dark sky reserve.

DAY 4 / 6
Distance
8km
D+
430m
Night
bivouac

Early in the morning, after tidying up the camp and preparing our donkeys, we'll take the winding GR to Notre-Dame-de-la-Rouvière, a remote Catholic village in the middle of this region with a Protestant tradition.

We then continue on to the Valnierette, a small river ideal for a refreshing dip and a well-deserved break. In the shade of oak and chestnut trees, we'll make our way back to the campsite, pleasantly situated on the banks of the river.

DAY 5 / 6
Distance
7km
D+
300m
Night
gîte

We'll have a day to relax and discover the "Jardin des Sambucs", an extraordinary garden with a multitude of plant species and original constructions.

We'll finish the day with a short walk through some pretty hamlets typical of the Cévennes, perhaps giving us an opportunity to meet the local castane grower. Then it's on to our gîte, a small farm with animals and a small swimming pool.

DAY 6 / 6
Distance
10km
D+
490

On the last day, we'll follow paths through chestnut groves and green oak forests to reach small Cévennes hamlets surrounded by terraced fields.

We'll discover the medieval village of Saint-Martial and its 12th-century church, before returning to our starting point on the first day.

The tour ends at Mas Corbière at around 4pm.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Noé - Intermediate mountain leader (AMM)

Noé

Intermediate mountain leader (AMM)

FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

As a recent mountain guide, I grew up in Mas Corbières with the donkeys, which I know inside out. I'm particularly attached to the history and culture of the Cévennes, and I'll take the time to help you discover its magical places and unspoilt nature.

Find out more about Noé

What's included in the price

Included

Supervision: Throughout your stay, you'll be supervised by Noé, a local guide who knows the region as well as his donkeys.
Accommodation: You will have the opportunity to spend three nights in a gîte and two nights in the magic of the bivouac experience. During the nights in a gîte, you'll sleep in a single bed in a shared room.
Catering: All your meals from the first day (evening) to the last day (midday) are included in the price of your expedition.
Bivouac equipment: All bivouac equipment is provided: tents, stoves, cooking gear, etc. All you need is your best mattress and a good sleeping bag. All you need is your best mattress and a good sleeping bag.
The donkeys: For this donkey trek, we'll be accompanied by donkeys with the appropriate hiking equipment.

Not included

Your personal consumption
Everything not included in "What the price includes".

What level should you expect

Level 1
  • Are you interested in discovering isolated regions and magnificent landscapes?
  • You want to enjoy an easy hike over several days without carrying a rucksack, sleeping in gîtes and tents.
  • Are you prepared to walk 7 km to 10 km a day, with an average positive difference in altitude of 500 m?
  • You want to come with your family or friends, or register as a solo participant (children aged 3 and over admitted)

Getting there

Start: Mas de Corbières (17h)
End: Mas de Corbières (16h)

Transport

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No car?

You should know that we are encouraging car-pooling between participants by creating a whatsapp group 15 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before you even start your expedition!

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 474 97 09 38 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior to departures of less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

Will the donkey carry our things?

Yes, the donkey can carry a load of up to 35kg. You will only need to carry your bag during the day, along with your jacket, water bottle and picnic. Note that to load the donkey, your bag should be a maximum of 60cm long, and you should allow for a maximum of 10kg per person.

How many hours a day will we be walking?

There is between 7km and 10km of walking per day. Depending on your pace, we'll walk between 3 and 5 hours.

Do I need any hiking experience to take part in a donkey trek?

No, this walk can be seen as an introduction to hiking in the great outdoors. This is a wilderness experience accessible to all.

How many donkeys will be accompanying our group?

This depends on the number of people taking part in the expedition. In general, we allow 1 donkey for a group of 4 people and 2 when there are more than 4 people.

From what age are children admitted?

Children aged 3 and over are welcome on this expedition!

How comfortable are the gîtes?

The gites you will stay in on this expedition are comfortable and active in reducing their carbon footprint. You will have access to toilets and showers and sleep in single beds in shared rooms.

⛈ What happens if the metreo is wrong?

If the weather is bad but does not represent a danger to participants during the expedition, the activity will continue. If the weather becomes dangerous, the activity will be cancelled and replaced by an alternative offered by our professional guides.

What is included in the price of a DiscoveRent shipment?

At Wildhartt, we attach particular importance to price transparency for our shipments. Our approach is based on a clear breakdown of costs, aimed at providing a better understanding of the elements included in the total amount. Here's how we allocate the percentages:

  • 30% for our guides: We believe that our experienced guides play a crucial role in the success of each activity. That's why we make sure we allocate a significant proportion to pay for their expertise and supervision.
  • 35% for accommodation and food: We consider comfortable accommodation and quality food to be essential elements of an enriching experience.
  • 10% for equipment and transport: The safety and comfort of our participants is paramount. With this part of the total amount, we can guarantee that the equipment required is in excellent condition and adequate for each activity. Transport costs also come into play when they are essential during an expedition.
  • 25% for expedition participation and running costs: These costs cover the logistical, administrative and organisational aspects of the expedition, as well as the overall management of the experience, from start to finish.

Our aim is to provide you with a trustworthy, high-quality experience, while being transparent about how the final cost of your shipment is shared. If you have any further questions about our prices, please contact us here.


Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed on the dates of your choice. To make a privatisation request, go to the expedition of your choice and privatise it using the button under the "see departures" button.

Selected from 4 departures

From € 855 /pers.

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available

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