We noticed that you are based in the United States - click here to visit our USA website. US 

Last chance availability on popular trips: Browse here

 

Walking in the Dordogne In Style

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.8 Read 9 reviews
  • Relaxed walking through the idyllic landscapes of the Dordogne
  • Towering cliffs of La Roque-Gageac, one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’
  • Rich rolling hills of apple and walnut orchards in the Périgord Noir
  • Unwind in fabulously located hand-picked hotels
  • Indulge in delicious French food and local wines
The perfect Dordogne walking tour, if you are looking for some extra comfort while exploring this quintessentially French region. Walk through amazing river valleys amidst the idyllic landscapes of the Périgord Noir, staying in hand-picked hotels. In this region famed for its gastronomy, exploring the local markets, such as the traditional outdoor market in Sarlat, is the ultimate French experience. The early morning mist hangs over the river like a blanket, then dissipates as you enjoy your croissant and coffee. Each day, set out on alluring and peaceful paths through this iconic countryside. Tranquil trails and riverside paths link ancient villages and vistas are framed by magnificent limestone cliffs, rolling hills and thick orchards of apple and walnut.

What To Expect

Each day explore these delightful and typically French landscapes on foot, stopping for picnic lunches and a spot of sightseeing en route. In the evenings relish this region’s distinctive gastronomy and the terrific local wine. Overnight in hand-picked hotels that offer the very best in comfort and relaxation.

Trip Type:

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Foodie

Grade & Terrain

This tour is graded easy to moderate. The trails are a combination of dirt trails, gravel tracks and tarmac country roads. The walking routes are a mix of surfaces, but please note that there will be tarmac walking at times as it is unavoidable. This tour is suitable for walkers with a reasonable physical fitness. There are rolling hills in this area, and it will also be necessary to walk up some short but fairly steep stretches.

Navigation

The route is generally way marked (when on a GR trail) with red and white GR signs or wooden posts with yellow or green markers. Some sections in the woods can be a little trickier to navigate. However, we provide maps, as well as access to our app, which contains all the information you need to find your way each day.

Accommodation Information

The accommodations provided on this tour are a mix of hand-picked 3* and 4* hotels. In Domme and La Roque Gageac we are using 3* hotels, but reserving upgraded rooms for you. In Sarlat and Les Eyzies we are using excellent 4* hotels.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
We also welcome solo walkers on this tour, again a supplement is payable.


Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. Lunch is not included. On some of the walking days it will be essential to take a packed lunch as there are no cafes or restaurants en route (your route notes will give you these details). However it will be very easy to buy a baguette, fruit, drinks, etc from a local bakery, sandwich shop or the local market (depending on the day of the week) before you depart. Two dinners are included,  one in Domme and one in La Roque Gageac. The restaurants in these hotels are well-renowned as having excellent cuisine. For all the other dinners you can also eat at your accommodation or there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from.

Included
  • 7 Nights accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners
  • Luggage transfers
  • Transfers to walks where mentioned
  • Transfer from Souillac Train Station to Sarlat
  • Transfer from Les Eyzies to Sarlat or Le Buisson
  • Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
  • All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
  • 24/7 telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Travel to Souillac
  • Travel from Sarlat or Le Buisson
  • Lunches
  • 5 Dinners
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
  • Personal equipment
Extras
  • Private transfers
  • Additional nights before, during and after the walk

When To Go

The best times to travel in the region are spring, early summer, and later in the year in autumn when the temperatures are pleasant for walking.

The summer months of July and August can be very hot, please bear this in mind when booking. The area is also occasionally prone to thunderstorms. Always check the weather the day before; you can ask your accommodation to check for you. 

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. 

  • Beynac: Monday
  • Carsac: Sunday (Not always weekly so best to check with your local tourist office just to be sure.)
  • Domme: Thursday
  • La Roque Gageac: Friday (Not always weekly so best to check with your local tourist office just to be sure.)
  • 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

In Summer, some villages also have night-time markets with local products, crafts, and souvenirs. These often have a great atmosphere, with live music and food and drinks to sample.

Getting to the Start

There are a number of different options available when getting to and from Sarlat. You can fly into and out of Brive, Toulouse, Limoges, Bergerac, Bordeaux, or even Paris! Sarlat is close to Souillac, which is on a main train line. From Brive (approx 30 mins), Toulouse (approx 2H), Limoges (approx 1.5H), or Paris (approx approx4.5H) you can take trains to Souillac. From here you can either take a bus or a taxi (approx €40) to or from Sarlat. Please find information about the bus schedules here. If you are flying into or out of Bordeaux or Bergerac you can take trains directly into and out of Sarlat itself as it does have a small ain station. To and from Bordeaux the journey takes approx 3-4H, depending on if it is direct and to and from Bergerac the journey takes approx 1.5H. Please check the SNCF website for more details on schedules and prices.

Getting from the End

Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac is also on a train line. It is therefore possible to fly from Limoges or Bergerac (via Le Buisson) as they are both accessible from Les Eyzies. Bordeaux is also accessible via Bergerac or Perigueux. Paris is also accessible via Limoges. If you wish to return to Sarlat, the best way to get there is by taxi. If you wish to drive it’s best to park your car in Les Eyzies as there is free parking in the town centre and then you can retrieve your car easily at the end. Macs Adventure can provide private transfers to and from all the train stations and airports. We can also provide taxi transfers from Souillac to Sarlat and Les Eyzies to Sarlat/Souillac and Les Eyzies to Le Buisson. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

How far in advance do I need to book?
How fit do I need to be?
How do the baggage transfers work?
What equipment do I need?
When is the best time of year?
What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Sarlat-la-Caneda Day 2 Transfer to St Vincent le Paluel. Walk to Sarlat 8 miles / 13 km Day 3 Transfer to Carsac. Walk to Domme 8 miles / 13 km Day 4 Walk to La Roque Gageac via Beynac 12 miles / 20 km Day 5 Free day or loop walk via Vitrac 9 miles / 14 km Day 6 Transfer to St Cyprien. Walk to Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac 9 miles / 14 km Day 7 Free day or loop walk via St Cirq 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 8 Onward Travel

Blog Articles

You May Also Like

  • In Style
    Type In Style
    8 Days 7 Nights
    Walking in Burgundy in Style
    Explore the best of Burgundy on foot, staying in beautiful accommodation throughout
    Highlights
    • Stay in 4* hotels, guesthouses and Châteaux
    • Explore the medieval cities of Dijon and Beaune
    • Immerse yourself in Burgundy's wine culture
    Grade
    Comfort
    From £1,800.00
  • In Style
    Type In Style
    6 Days 5 Nights
    Amalfi In Style
    Stay in hand-picked 4* accommodation and walk Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast
    Highlights
    • Walk Italy's Amalfi Coast, in style
    • Dine al fresco on fresh, local seafood
    • Charming Ravello and the Path of the Gods
    Grade
    Comfort
    From £1,455.00

The Macs Adventure Way

  • Tried & Tested Adventures Tried & Tested Adventures
  • Freedom Freedom
  • Book With Confidence Book With Confidence
  • Expertise Expertise
  • Positive Impact Positive Impact
Built with our knowledge and expertise, to suit you.
  • Knowledgeable and helpful friendly specialist adventure planners
  • Wide variety of trips to suit all interests and experience levels
  • Start on any date that suits you
  • Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
  • Range of accommodation options
  • Choice of trip styles
Authentic adventure travel experiences on your own terms.
  • Choose your own travel companions
  • Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
  • Make your own decisions
  • Choose your own path
  • Indulge your passions
Feel secure in making the right choice for your precious adventure time.
  • 18,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
  • Feefo Platinum Award 2023
  • As featured in the Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and more
  • Founder owned & operated since 2003
  • Passionate team members based in the US, the UK & Europe
  • 100% Financial Protection
You can be confident that every detail of your holiday has been expertly planned.
  • Meticulously planned adventures
  • Quality, hand-picked accommodation
  • Seamless and reliable arrangements
  • Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
  • Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
  • Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
Travel the right way, and make a positive impact.
  • Travel responsibly
  • Explore off the beaten track
  • Support locally owned businesses
  • Engage with local communities
  • Minimise your impact
  • Maximise the benefit of your travel
  • Challenge yourself & grow
Currency:
£ - GBP - Pound
Country/Region name:
UKUK