Walking in the Dordogne

This route is suitable for most regular walkers.

Before your trip, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The trails are a combination of dirt trails, gravel tracks and tarmac country roads. There are rolling hills in this area, and it will also be necessary to walk up some short but fairly steep stretches.

This tour is graded easy to moderate.

Accommodation is a mix of well-located, hand-picked hotels and B&Bs, with the option to choose the 'comfort’ variant for upgraded hotels and room standards if you'd like something a little more special. We offer a few different options in each location, though on occasion we may need to book elsewhere due to availability, always to a similar or better standard.

There's only one hotel in Domme, so if it's unavailable we'll arrange alternative accommodation a short distance away in Vitrac, with a transfer timed so you still have a chance to explore Domme first.

Accommodation is also limited in La Roque Gegeac - so we do advise booking early.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every morning.

Lunch isn't included, and on some walking days it's essential to bring a packed lunch, as there are no cafés or restaurants en route - our app will flag these days, and it's easy to pick up a baguette, fruit or other supplies from a local bakery, sandwich shop or market beforehand.

Two dinners are included on the 8 day variants in Domme and La Roque Gageac. One dinner is included on the 5 day variant in Domme.

For the remaining dinners, you can eat at your accommodation if possible, or choose from the many good local restaurants nearby.

The best times to visit are spring, early summer and fall, when temperatures are pleasant for hiking. July and August can be very hot, and the area is occasionally prone to thunderstorms, so it's worth checking the forecast with your accommodation the evening before you set off.

The Dordogne is extremely popular from May to June and again from August to September, so it's worth booking well ahead.

Many towns along the way have excellent weekly markets - Sarlat's, for example, runs on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, with a daily indoor market from mid-April to October. In the summer some also host night markets with local crafts, food and live music.

The weekly town markets are listed below so that if there is one you don't want to miss you can time your trip right. Please double check these on the local tourist websites - as they do change.

• Beynac: Monday
• Carsac: Sunday (Not always weekly so best to check)
• Domme: Thursday
• La Roque Gageac: Friday (Not always weekly so best to check)
• Les Eyzies: Monday (and Friday evening)
• Sarlat: Wednesday and Saturday mornings for the traditional market, from mid-April to October the indoor market is held daily from 8am to 1pm (full days on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from mid-July to the end of August)
• St Cyprien: Sunday

There's also no shortage of historic chateaux and prehistoric caves to visit, many of which are already mapped as points of interest on our app, though it's worth checking opening hours and booking requirements in advance given how popular some sites are.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It’s vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

The route is mostly marked with easy-to-spot red and white GR signs, or wooden posts with yellow or green markers, especially on GR trail sections. Some stretches through the woods can feel trickier to navigate, but our app has you covered.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential - the following maps cover the area of the route:

• IGN 2036 ET Sarlat-Souillac
• IGN 2037 OT La Roque-Gageac Domme-Gourdon
• IGN 1936 ET Les Eyzies

Getting to the start

You can fly into and out of Toulouse, Limoges, Bergerac, Bordeaux or even Paris - and then take the train to Souillac, before a bus or taxi to Sarlat.

Souillac is the best train station as it sits on a main train line: trains from Toulouse take around 2 hours, and from Paris around 4.5 hours.

From Souillac you can take a bus or a taxi (€40) to Sarlat. If you are booking on the In Style tour there is an included taxi from Souillac to Sarlat.

If you fly into Bergerac (about 1.5 hours by train) or Bordeaux (3 hrs by train), you can take a direct train into Sarlat itself, which has its own small station.

Check the official SNCF website for schedules and tickets.

Getting from the end

• If you choose the standard 8 day variant, there is a train station in Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac, and can reach Bordeaux, Limoges or Bergerac via Perigueux or via Le Buisson. Paris can be reached by train via Perigueux or Bordeaux

If you are flying from Toulouse the best way is to get a taxi transfer to Souillac, then get a train.

• If you choose the short break (5 day), a transfer from La Roque Gageac to Sarlat is included, from where you can retrace your outward journey steps.
• If you choose the In Style tour, a transfer from Les Eyzies to either Souillac or Le Buisson is included. From either of these towns you can take the train to other major cities.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation