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Walking in the Dordogne

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

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

A guidebook to 35 day walks in France’s Dordogne region. Exploring the beautiful scenery of this historic area, the walks are suitable for beginner and experienced walkers alike.

Walks range from 6 to 19km (4–12 miles) and can be enjoyed in 2–6 hours. Each route is easily accessible from either Bergerac, Lalinde, Sarlat or Souillac (Lot) and has been graded to allow you to choose routes suitable for you.

1:50,000 maps are included for each route
GPX files available to download
Detailed information on accommodation, equipment to take, local plants and wildlife
Highlights include medieval towns, châteaux and caves

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

Updates

March 2024

Updates March 24

Thank you to Chuck Eldridge for the following updates.

Pg. 171 – Walk 22 on 4/10/2023

“Continue down the road, passing an old four…” Ignore the post markers which want you to go left on a track. Stay on the paved road going downhill to the right.

“Turn left on the road, with woods on the left…” From here on, the route is not marked well at all. The yellow markers all refer to other trails.

Pg. 181 – Walk 24 on 7/10/2023

“…but after a few minutes, where the track curves round, take a narrower path to the right, signed by a yellow marker on a tree. You start descending…” There’s no marker on a tree but stay on the same track which descends very steeply with poor traction.

“…take the second turning to the right (yellow sign) …” There is no marker. The track is very narrow and easily missed but it runs next to the field.

Pg. 196 - Walk 26 on 29/9/2023

“…the D703, which you should cross immediately to get to the narrow pavement to the other side.” There is no walking surface other than the road for more than .25 mile.

Pg. 200 – Walk 27 on 10/10/2023

“…cannot get into the fort itself as it is now closed for restoration.” It has reopened.

207 – Walk 28 on 29/9/2023

“…until you come to a sign to la Borie opposite a narrow road…” There’s a poorly marked turn here.

Pg. 215 – Walk 29 on 16/10/2023

“Be careful as there is no post indicating this turning.” There’s a post there now.

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

By 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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