Dordogne: Cycling Souillac to Rocamadour

8 Days & 7 Nights

Cycle across the Dordogne region from Souillac to Rocamadour
Dordogne delicacies of ceps, truffles & confit du canard
Explore the spectacular cliffside village of Rocamadour
Discover the subterranean waterways of Gouffre de Padirac
Pedal the ‘Beaux Villages’ of Carennac & Loubressac

Discover the Dordogne’s geological wonders, medieval settlements and world famous gastronomy as you pedal from Souillac to Rocamadour. Following the River Dordogne cycle to the hilltop villages of Martel and Collonges la Rouge. Pedal to the enchanting villages of Carennac and Loubressac where sun drenched restaurant terraces invite you to indulge in local dishes created with ceps, truffles and canard. Explore the subterranean waterways of Gouffre de Padirac as you roll west to the dramatic cliffside village of Rocamadour. Here sample local delicacies of goats cheese and saucisson, rounding off with a day of poolside relaxation.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

Graded moderate, daily distances cover 30km-50km. It is perfectly suited to cyclists that enjoy pedalling rolling terrain to the rewards of hilltop villages and gastronomic experiences. With optional loop rides on day 2 and 5 you can always recharge in the gardens or pool of your peaceful accommodation.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Cycling | A classic point to point cycling holiday, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Mixed Abilities

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie Adventures
Wine, Whisky & More...
Luxury & Unique Stays
Historical Journeys

Inspiration:

Classic

Grade & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded moderate. Cycling distances are between 35 and 40km on well surfaced country and urban roads. It is perfectly suited to regular cyclists that enjoy pedalling for the rewards of hilltop villages, rolling valleys and gastronomic experiences. You will cycle principally on quiet country lanes and some busier roads when approaching towns. Please always mindful of other road users.

Navigation

The route notes and maps that accompany your itinerary give a step by step, turn by turn account of your route to give you continual points of reference and help you find your way.

Accommodation Information

Each evening will be spent in 3* or 2* hotels. We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed below, but on occasion, especially during peak season, we do use alternate accommodation of equal or higher standard. Examples of accommodation are listed below.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

If you require single rooms within your party or are travelling as a solo cyclist single rooms are available subject to a supplementary payment.

Meals

Breakfast is included each day at your hotel and usually consists of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats and granola. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking. Lunches and dinners are not included. One of our favourite experiences in the Dordogne is to pick up local cheeses and boulangerie breads for a riverside picnic. As you will be staying at the heart of each village or town, there are extensive cafes and restaurants to choose an evening dining spot. You will find a number of recommendations in your information pack.

Included

5 Nights in 3* hotels and 2 Nights in 2* hotels
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Taxi transfers from Rocamadour to Souillac (day 8)
Information pack
Access to route notes, detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to / from Souillac
Bike hire (optional upgrade to an e-bike)
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire
Upgrade to e-bike hire

When To Go

The best times to travel in the region are spring, early summer and autumn. However, if you prefer to travel in summer temperatures are high (between 35 to 39 degrees Celsius). We recommend early starts in the morning to miss the heat of midday and avoid possible thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Getting to the Start

Air: It is possible to fly into either Toulouse, Brive, or Bordeaux Airports. All of which are serviced by scheduled and low-cost airlines.

All cities connect with Souillac train station. Approximate journey times below:

Toulouse (2 hours)

Brive (30 minutes)

Bordeaux (4 to 5 hours)

The SNCF website will give you times and schedules. If you fly into Brive Airport you can also easily hop into a taxi on arrival. The cost is around €50 with journey time approximately 30 minutes.

Ferry: From Portsmouth (UK) to Caen, Souillac is around a 5 to 6 hour drive. You can park your car in Souillac either in an open car park opposite the hotel or in the secure hotel car park (for approximately €6 per night). Direct Ferries have details of route crossings and sailing times to the UK.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20 kg). If you require excess baggage allowance do contact us prior to travel.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, lightweight rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as footwear, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Trek or Cube hybrid bikes are available for hire. All bikes are equipped with a pannier, helmet and spare inner tube along with a pump and tyre levers. EBikes are also available on this trip and are great for providing a boost on the hills when the legs need it most! For more information on E-Bikes please click here.

If you’d like to hire a bike, please let us know your height and frame size you currently ride.

If you would prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate hybrid or touring bike for this trip.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book?

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