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Walking in the Dordogne

35 walking routes in the Dordogne - Sarlat, Bergerac, Lalinde and Souillac

By Janette Norton, Alan Norton, Pamela Harris

ISBN

9781852848439

Availability

Published

12 Feb 2018

Edition

Second

Pages

264

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

290g

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This guidebook describes 35 walking routes in France's beautiful Dordogne region, based around Sarlat and Souillac regions (Perigord Noir) and Bergerac (Perigord Poupre). The walks range from short walks to mountain circuits, and explore the spectacular gorges, chateaux and medieval villages of the region.

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.

ISBN

9781852848439

Availability

Published

12 Feb 2018

Edition

Second

Pages

264

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

290g

Overview

Guidebook to 35 half-day and day walks in France's beautiful Dordogne region, based around Bergerac, Lalinde, Sarlat and Souillac (Lot). The walks, which range from 6 to 18.5km, take in the region's myriad delights, from spectacular gorges to enchanting chateaux and charming medieval villages. All walks are within the capacity of the average walker, and are on well-marked paths or quiet roads. They are graded easy or medium; there are no long, steep climbs or abrupt descents.

There are step-by-step descriptions and maps for each route. Also included is information on the history, flora and fauna of the region, together with practical pointers such as what to take and when to go, as well as notes on waymarking, accommodation and transport. A route summary table and glossary are also provided.

Lying in south west France, the Dordogne is a land of great scenic variety, from rolling wooded hills and fertile valleys to barren upland plateaus and limestone cliffs riddled with caves. The charm of the Dordogne also lies in the picturesque medieval towns, châteaux, churches and abbeys that stud the landscape, and these are the focus of many of the walks.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

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

Appendices

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful information

Appendix C Glossary of French words

Maps

Maps

A good map that gives an overall picture of the Dordogne and Lot is the Michelin Carte Routière et Touristique 1:150,000 Périgord Quercy.

Each walk in this guide is accompanied by a sketch map with coloured contours, showing key places and numbered waypoints that are highlighted in the route description. To cope with the high density of information and the different walk lengths, we have used four scales: 1:25,000, 1:33,000, 1:40,000 and 1:50,000. For additional features and detailed navigation, the relevant 1:25,000 IGN paper map is specified in the information box at the beginning of each walk. Unfortunately, only a few of the IGN maps for the Dordogne are in the Top 25 Carte de Randonnée series, which often show the walking paths explicitly; most are in the Série Bleue series, which do not show the walking routes so clearly.

A complete list of IGN maps can be found in Appendix B, together with details of where to buy or order them in the UK. Otherwise, it is easy to buy them in the region and they are sometimes cheaper in local supermarkets.

For pre-walk planning and post-analysis, all the 1:25,000 and 1:100,000 IGN maps for the whole of France are available on the internet for a very small annual subscription from www.sitytrail.com. This is the best way to be sure you have the latest editions, and is accompanied by a powerful set of tools to choose the magnification, print selected areas, superimpose recorded GPS trails and record your favourite routes online.

GPX files for all the routes described in the guide are available as free downloads to purchasers of the book at www.cicerone.co.uk/843/GPX.

Guidelines to walking in the Dordogne

Read the walk description against a map before you go to ensure that the walk is within the capacity of all members of your party. Give yourself plenty of time by setting off early. If a walk has a timing of five hours, allow at least one hour extra for breaks and a lunch stop. Although the Dordogne is not usually as hot as the south of France, in summer you will need to take plenty of water and sunscreen. It is advisable not to deviate from the marked path – if there is a shortcut it is usually shown on the map. If you are walking alone, always tell someone where you are going. Do not pass any barrier indicating ‘Propriété Privée’ unless the walk description indicates that this is permitted. Even if the day looks hot and fine, take waterproof clothing as the weather can be changeable. Remember to walk on the left-hand side of the road in order to face oncoming traffic. Shut all gates and barriers that you go through. Do not light matches or make a fire, especially when it has been dry. Do not pick the wild flowers but leave them for others to enjoy. Take your litter home with you.

Updates

July 2019

Route Update

Walk 33 - Rocamadour.

(modified start, from Grant Cameron)

There is a change to the start of the walk because a new car park has been built. You still turn left onto the D673/A20 and start to walk out of town. The new car park is on your right, just after the end of housing, and now you turn right just before the sign (which has been moved) indicating the end of Rocamadour. This is in fact what would have been the second turn on the right as shown on the sketch map (and in the IGN2136 map) where the roads drew a small triangle. The first road on the right has now been removed by the car park. Turn right off the D673 then take a slight left onto the road signed to Gare SNCF. The rest of the description is excellent.

Reviews

Without the book we would not have ventured where we did so well worth the purchase.

Bought this book as staying for a few days in Carennac on the Dordogne river and looking for details of possible walks around that area. We also bought the IGN map (#2136) that covers the area and the two worked well together. We did two walks and the detailed descriptions, particularly of the beginning of the walks, were very helpful. A number of the walks describe existing local routes which are very well signed with coloured markers on trees, boulders etc. In particular the GR routes are very well signed so it leads to relaxed walking as you know you are on the right path. Timing of the walks also tied up very well with our pace. Without the book we would not have ventured where we did so well worth the purchase. We will keep hold of it for future trips too.

Grant, by email

Downloads

Walking in the Dordogne - GPX File

Janette Norton

Janette Norton lived in France, near Geneva, for over 30 years with her physicist husband, Alan, raising four children and working in the marketing field. Her love of mountain walking dated from the time she was a guide in her twenties, and the proximity of the Alps and Jura to her home inspired her to continue her passion. After her children grew up, she branched out to explore other areas of France.

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