Donkeys and the Chemin de Stevenson/GR 70

[TheGroomStall]

The other night while falling down an internet rabbit hole, I stumbled across Robert Louis Stevenson’s Travels With A Donkey In the Cevennes. Which then lead me to see if the trail he travelled was still in use (it is - the Chemin de Stevenson/GR 70 in southern France). Then I looked to see if you can hike with a donkey (because why not?) And surprise, you can! (For a small rental fee).

I’m curious if anyone here has done any hiking with a donkey (or other equine) in this area? Or anywhere else for that matter. I’m an avid traveler and always looking for unique adventures, bonus points if it includes horses! According to the official website you can also ride the length of it, and there are stops along the route for feeding and watering your equine friend.

Would this be of interest to any of you? I know some people run with their ponies to keep them in shape. Why not hiking? You would obviously have to take animal welfare into account and prepare accordingly, but there is something endearing to me about going on an adventure with a donkey companion.

Opinions and concerns welcome!

Official website here: https://www.chemin-stevenson.org/

[Texarkana]

I don’t know anything about the hike you shared, but in the western US, pack burro racing is still a thing:

https://www.packburroracing.org/races

[moonlitoaksranch]

You can hike in Wicklow Ireland with a donkey. One of my dream trips.

Visit Clissmann Donkey Walking Holidays with Discover Ireland

[moonlitoaksranch]

I’ve trained several donkeys over the years to carry pack saddles. Our latest is a mini, so he carries a goat pack. He’s a more of a picnic donkey than a overnight trip donkey, lol!

[SLW]

This gentleman wrote a book about his travels through France with a donkey. It’s a delightful read.

The Wisdom of Donkeys: Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World

[hoopoe]

not with Donk, but I have done many inn to Inn walks along England Ireland Madeira and French long distance trails. It is a great way to vacation. The network of inns B&B and hostels are well established, There are agencies that only book these type trips. The France DR I was on ( Provence) was well marked and exceptionally varied.

There have been days where I wished I had a donk or other means of transport when the old feet give in.

[Rackonteur]

Cool! I would love to do that if i were still that mobile.
And i really must read that book now – all these years I’ve thought Stevenson and Donkey were traveling in Argentina!
– Do you know the donkey’s actual name? I just thought for purposes of this post he deserved a capital D.

[Salty]

Oh, I would love to do this with my cousin! We already have a fantasy vacation in France, involving donkeys, cheese, and wine.

[TheGroomStall]

The donkey’s name was Modestine! I’m reading the book right now, it’s quite a bit different than Stevenson’s other books, more light and humorous!

[Rackonteur]

My introduction to Stevenson was A Child’s Garden of Verses. I love his poem in it about the cow, and now I’m wondering if there is also one about a donkey …

[eightpondfarm]

My ponyboy Ollie plays Hide’n Go Seek. He can find you in 50 acres. He will track though and get to you lickety split…so you have to go allllll the way around the perimeter and walk in from the back side. You have to take a baggie of grain though, because he DOES demand a reward!

He also will ‘hike’ with me…and has ‘helped’ me walk many miles of fenceline. He follows anyhorse i’m riding, or with me when i’m walking. He doesn’t mind carrying me up any kind of hill either. But i prefer dismounting to go down lol. He kinda scrambles

[Libby2563]

@SLW

This gentleman wrote a book about his travels through France with a donkey. It’s a delightful read.

https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Donkeys-Finding-Tranquility-Chaotic/dp/0802719929

Yes! I scrolled down to recommend this book but you beat me to it.

My equine dentist does pack burro racing. It’s quite a trip!

[Rackonteur]

Handsome boy. And he has such a sweet look on his face.

[Fiesta01]

@moonlitoaksranch

He’s a more of a picnic donkey than a overnight trip donkey, lol!

Great visual!

[Rackonteur]

Years ago I wanted to visit Leconte Lodge, up on Mount Leconte in Tennessee, because you had to hike up a trail to get to it and your luggage and other supplies were transported (IIRC) by pack horses.
Since then they have switched to llamas because their hooves are easier on the trail than horses’ hooves. But now I’m thinking donkeys would have been nice.
And they don’t spit.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Thanks! Donkeys are really nice companions. The only disadvantage would be saying goodbye after trekking with them.

[Fiesta01]

So true. I would have to make the owner an offer they couldn’t refuse. Of course, then there would be the import cost!!

[Fiesta01]

For those who speak/read French, there is a lovely little book with beautiful illustrations called L’aventure de Modestine, by the painter Marie-Noëlle Lapouge. The story is told from the point of view of Modestine. The illustrations are charming.