HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics // Comparison Engine
Route A

Great Ocean Walk

australia/victoria-otways
VS
Route B

The Stevenson Trail (GR70)

france/Cévennes National Park (Haute-Loire, Lozère, Gard)

Great Ocean Walk vs The Stevenson Trail (GR70): Intensity Score Comparison

Both routes share a similar overall intensity (58 vs 59). Depending on personal strengths, the challenge relies more on Great Ocean Walk's technicality versus the physical output of the other.

Model-based (not a field report) · Evaluates overall route demand, not danger.

Intensity Difference
+1 The Stevenson Trail (GR70) is harder
Higher Physical Load
The Stevenson Trail (GR70)
Higher Technical Seriousness
Great Ocean Walk
Greater Commitment
The Stevenson Trail (GR70)
Overall HikeMetrics Score
The Stevenson Trail (GR70)wins 5 of 8 metrics
3
Route A
5
Route B
australia/victoria-otways

Great Ocean Walk

MODERATE // CHLG
Full Route Report

The Great Ocean Walk is a 104km point-to-point coastal trekking route in Victoria, Australia. Connecting Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, the trail follows the Shipwreck Coast within the Great Otway National Park. The route traverses mixed terrain including Mountain Ash forests, coastal heathland, and tidal beaches. It serves as a terrestrial alternative to the Great Ocean Road, providing access to remote cliff-top vantage points above the Southern Ocean. Surface composition consists of managed forest tracks, purpose-built boardwalks, and segments of uncompacted sand and rocky littoral platforms.

france/Cévennes National Park (Haute-Loire, Lozère, Gard)

The Stevenson Trail (GR70)

MODERATE // CHLG
Full Route Report

The GR70, universally known as the Stevenson Trail, traces the historic 1878 journey of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey, Modestine. This 270km linear hike begins in the volcanic hills of the Haute-Loire, crosses the granite plateau of Mont Lozère, and descends through the forested valleys of the Cévennes National Park to finish in the Gard. It is a premier literary trail passing through ancient chestnut forests and traditional stone villages of the Massif Central. Note: Compiled from public sources — not a field report.

Head-to-Head Metric Analysis

Intensity ScoreHigher Overall Demand
58
WINNER59
Physical LoadMore Physically Taxing
71
WINNER72
Technical SeriousnessMore Technically Demanding
32 WINNER
27
DistanceLonger route
104 km
WINNER270 km
Elevation GainMore vertical
2,400 m
WINNER7,650 m
Highest PointHigher summit
210 m
WINNER1,699 m
DurationShorter commitment
8 days WINNER
12 days
Hazard Level
MODERATE // CHLG
MODERATE // CHLG
Crowd LevelLess crowded
2 / 5 WINNER
4 / 5
Remoteness
3 / 5
3 / 5

HikeMetrics Hazard Scale — Explanation

1
LOW // ACCESS
2
STANDARD // RT
3
MODERATE // CHLG
4
EXPERT // HAZARD
5
EXTREME // LETHAL

The HikeMetrics Hazard Scale is a proprietary 5-point classification system that evaluates hiking routes across five dimensions: physical demand, technical complexity, altitude exposure, weather risk, and rescue accessibility.

Unlike generic star ratings, the Hazard Scale is calibrated against altitude profiles, elevation gain per day, and logistical isolation factors — making it the most precise route classification system available.

Full Scale Documentation
Route A // Hazard Verdict
Great Ocean Walk
MODERATE // CHLG
tidal beach crossings: Specific segments at Milanesia Beach and Wreck Beach are subject to tidal inundation, making passage impossible during high-tide phases.
venomous wildlife (Tiger/Copperhead snakes): The Great Otway National Park is a habitat for Tiger Snakes and Lowland Copperheads, particularly in dense scrub and sun-exposed sections.
Route B // Hazard Verdict
The Stevenson Trail (GR70)
MODERATE // CHLG
summer heat in the cevennes: As the trail moves south into the deeper valleys of the Cévennes (Lozère to Gard), the climate shifts from temperate to distinctly Mediterranean. The deep, rocky gorges trap intense, suffocating heat in July and August.
mont lozere exposure: The crossing of Mont Lozère (the highest point at 1,699m) is entirely exposed. Sudden, sustained storms or dense freezing fog can hit the barren granite summit plateau unexpectedly.

Required Gear Comparison

Great Ocean Walk
Supportive hiking boots or technical trail runnersGaiters (Snake and sand intrusion protection)Waterproof outer shell for Southern Ocean weather systemsHard-copy tide chart for the Cape Otway regionSun protection system (High-SPF, hat)Water treatment (Gravity filter or chemical tablets)
The Stevenson Trail (GR70)
Comfortable, highly breathable trail running shoes or lightweight boots (the path offers many soft, leafy tracks alongside rocky descents)A copy of Stevenson's book (for evening reading)Topographical maps (IGN Top 100 156/163) or the official FFRandonnée TopoGuideWater filter (for the southern half where villages become sparse)

Compare with Other Routes

argentina
Cerro Tronador (Refugio Otto Meiling)
MODERATE // CHLG
argentina
Laguna Torre (Cerro Torre)
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
Coburger Hütte — Seebensee & Drachensee
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
Kaisertal — The Stairway to Heaven
MODERATE // CHLG
austria
The High Descent — Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Höhe to Heiligenblut
MODERATE // CHLG
australia
Fraser Island (K'gari) Great Walk
MODERATE // CHLG