Walking in the Dordogne

The Dordogne is one of France's most beloved regions for good reason. Rolling limestone valleys, dramatic river gorges, medieval bastide towns, Renaissance châteaux, and some of Europe's most significant prehistoric cave art combine to create a walking landscape as rich in history and culture as it is in natural beauty.

With walks suited to all abilities and free of steep ascents or descents, this comprehensive guidebook by Janette Norton, Alan Norton and Pamela Harris covers 35 graded day walks across the Dordogne, ranging from 6 to 19km (4 to 12 miles) and taking between 2 and 6 hours to complete. Clear route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with information on accommodation, facilities, and local plants and wildlife throughout.

• 35 graded walks are described across four areas, covering Bergerac and the Périgord Pourpre, Lalinde, Sarlat and the Périgord Noir, and the Lot valley around Souillac, with walks taking between 2 and 6 hours
• Medieval châteaux, bastide towns and prehistoric cave art feature throughout, including the UNESCO-listed Vézère valley near Les Eyzies, the châteaux of Bridoire, Biron and Milandes, and the bastide towns of Monpazier and Domme
• The Lot valley around Souillac delivers some of the most dramatic walking in the guidebook, with routes to Rocamadour, the Gouffre de Padirac and the causses and gorges of Quercy
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every walk, with route grades, practical access information and waymarking notes so you can plan each outing with confidence
• Notes on local history, plants, wildlife and food and drink throughout, alongside a French-English glossary and comprehensive accommodation guidance for the region

Nowhere in France packs as much history, culture and natural beauty into a single walking region as the Dordogne. This guidebook is the perfect companion for exploring it on foot.

Seasons

Any time of the year, but either May and June (also good for flowers), or September and October (for the grape harvest) are best. High summer is very hot and crowded.

Centres

Bergerac and Lalinde in Perigord Poupre; Sarlat in Perigord Noir; and Souillac in the Lot.

Difficulty

35 straightforward half and full-day walks for all abilities, on well-marked paths or roads. Graded easy or medium, with no steep ascents or descents.

Must See

The Dordogne river with dramatic horseshoe meanders and quiet stretches for boat trips on traditional gabarres; the cliffs of the Vézère with caves and overhangs where early man made his home; the arid causses and subterranean gauffres in the south; medieval castles and towns, Renaissance-style chateaus, Romanesque churches.

Map key

Overview map

Location of walks

Preface

Introduction

The Dordogne river

A short history of the Dordogne

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

How to get there

When to go

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Waymarking

Maps

Using this guide

Around Bergerac

Walk 1 Along the river at Bergerac

Walk 2 The vineyards of Monbazillac

Walk 3 Flaugeac to the Château de Bridoire

Walk 4 Around Monestier

Walk 5 Round the Lac de l’Escourou

Walk 6 Boucle d’Issigeac

Walk 7 The Conne river valley

Walk 8 Boucle de St-Aubin

Walk 9 St-Georges-de-Montclard

Around Lalinde

Walk 10 St-Félix-de-Villadeix

Walk 11 Couze to the Château de Lanquais

Walk 12 The heights and river at Lalinde

Walk 13 Above Mauzac

Walk 14 The Cingle de Trémolat

Walk 15 Limeuil and the Vézère river

Walk 16 Above the Abbey of Cadouin

Walk 17 Beaumont and the Rocher du Corbeau

Walk 18 Monpazier and the Château de Biron

Around Sarlat

Walk 19 Around les Eyzies

Walk 20 Along the Vézère river

Walk 21 Boucle de Coulonge at Montignac

Walk 22 Around St-Geniès

Walk 23 St-Crépin and Carlucet

Walk 24 Les Jardins d’Eyrignac

Walk 25 South of the Château des Milandes

Walk 26 Le Chemin de Cazenac from Beynac

Walk 27 Around la Roque-Gageac

Walk 28 The bastide town of Domme

Walk 29 Boucle de Veyrignac

Around Souillac (Lot)

Walk 30 Gourdon and the Bléou valley

Walk 31 Roc des Monges from Saint-Sozy

Walk 32 Martel to Mont Mercou

Walk 33 Rocamadour and the mills of the Alzou Gorge

Walk 34 Alvignac and the Source Salmière

Walk 35 The Gouffre de Padirac and Causses de Quercy

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful information

Appendix C Glossary of French words