With over 35 years of experience organising walking holidays in France, Walks in France takes care of everything: your accommodation is booked in quality hotels and guesthouses, your luggage is transferred from stage to stage, and you receive a detailed route book with maps and directions. You walk at your own pace, with nothing to carry but a daypack.
Your complete guide to walking in the Dordogne
Walking in the Dordogne is a journey through thousands of years of human history. The Vézère Valley, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters some of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, including the famous replica of the Lascaux cave near Montignac. Further along your route, the Dordogne Valley reveals a stunning concentration of medieval castles, bastide towns and villages that have changed very little over the centuries.
Our Dordogne walking holiday follows the GR6 and GR64 long-distance trails from Figeac to Les Eyzies. The route covers approximately 150 kilometres over six to eight walking days, with daily stages of 12 to 28 kilometres depending on your chosen itinerary. The terrain is gentle and accessible, with some short ascents to hilltop villages and limestone plateaux, making it suitable for walkers of moderate fitness.
Key stages of your Dordogne walking holiday
Figeac to Rocamadour
Your walk begins in Figeac, birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, the scholar who deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics. From Figeac, you head west through the Lot countryside, passing the fortified village of Cardaillac and the medieval market town of Lacapelle-Marival. You then walk through the wild gorges of the Alzou river before arriving in Rocamadour, France's second most visited tourist site after Mont-Saint-Michel. This extraordinary cliff-hanging village, built into the rock face above the valley, has drawn pilgrims for over a thousand years.
Rocamadour to Sarlat
Leaving Rocamadour, your path follows the Ouysse river valley, one of the most peaceful stretches of the entire walk. You pass through Lacave, where underground caves contain remarkable stalactite formations, before reaching the banks of the Dordogne river near Souillac. From Souillac, the trail leads you through shaded woodland and past walnut orchards to reach Sarlat-la-Canéda, the medieval capital of the Périgord Noir. Sarlat is famous for its beautifully preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, and its Saturday morning market is one of the finest in the whole of France.
Sarlat to Les Eyzies
The final section of your Dordogne walking holiday takes you deeper into the Périgord Noir. You walk past the dry-stone huts known as cabanes du Breuil, through chestnut forests, and along quiet lanes connecting small farming hamlets. The 12th-century Château de Commarque rises from the forest like a forgotten sentinel. Your walk ends in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, known as the world capital of prehistory. The National Museum of Prehistory here houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Palaeolithic art and tools in the world.
Landscapes of the Dordogne
The Lot and Quercy countryside
The first days of your walk cross the limestone plateaux of the Quercy region in the Lot department. This is a landscape of dry-stone walls, juniper bushes and wide open skies. The villages are built from pale golden stone, and the countryside feels timeless and unhurried. The Alzou gorge leading into Rocamadour is a particular highlight, where the trail follows a narrow, wooded canyon past ancient watermills.
The Dordogne Valley
As you enter the Dordogne department, the landscape transforms. The wide river valley is flanked by limestone cliffs topped with castles and fortified villages. Fields of sunflowers and maize alternate with walnut groves and tobacco plantations. The villages along the river, including Domme, La Roque-Gageac and Beynac, are among the most beautiful in France. Several hold the official "Plus Beaux Villages de France" designation.
The Périgord Noir and Vézère Valley
The Périgord Noir takes its name from the dense dark oak forests that cover this area. Between Sarlat and Les Eyzies, the landscape is more intimate, with narrow valleys, hidden hamlets and rocky overhangs that sheltered our ancestors tens of thousands of years ago. The Vézère Valley is sometimes called the Valley of Man, and walking through it you quickly understand why early humans chose to settle here: the sheltered cliffs, abundant water and rich forest provided everything they needed.
Medieval villages of the Dordogne Valley
The Dordogne Valley is home to some of the most celebrated medieval villages in France. Walking from one to the next, you discover centuries of history carved into golden stone, perched on clifftops or nestled against the riverbank. Three villages in particular stand out along your route and are well worth taking time to explore.
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Beynac is one of the most striking villages in the Dordogne. Steep cobbled lanes climb from the river to a formidable 12th-century castle that towers over the valley. The Château de Beynac, once captured by Richard the Lionheart, offers sweeping views across the river plain to its rival fortress of Castelnaud on the opposite bank. The village itself is a beautifully preserved cluster of stone houses with lauze roofs, and it holds the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" label.
Domme
Perched on a sheer cliff 150 metres above the Dordogne river, Domme is a fortified bastide town founded in 1283 by Philip the Bold. You enter through its original fortified gates, past towers where Knights Templar prisoners once carved graffiti into the stone walls. The panoramic viewpoint from the cliff edge is one of the most photographed vistas in the whole region. Beneath the village, underground caves open into vast chambers of stalactites and stalagmites.
La Roque-Gageac
La Roque-Gageac occupies one of the most dramatic settings of any village in France. Wedged between the Dordogne river and a towering ochre cliff face, its houses are stacked one above the other along a single main street. The south-facing position creates a microclimate warm enough for palm trees and exotic plants to flourish in the village gardens. From the river, you can take a trip on a traditional gabarre, a flat-bottomed boat that once carried goods along the Dordogne in centuries past.
Why choose Walks in France for your Dordogne walking holiday
We have been organising self-guided walking holidays in France since 1988. Our team knows the trails, the accommodation and the local communities personally. When you book a Dordogne walking holiday with us, you benefit from our experience and attention to detail.
Your holiday includes half-board accommodation in carefully selected hotels and guesthouses along the route. We organise your luggage transfer between each stage so you can walk with just a light daypack. You receive a comprehensive route book with detailed stage descriptions, maps and practical information. And if you need to adjust the itinerary, whether shorter stages, extra rest days, or a different starting point, we can create a tailor-made walking holiday to match your preferences exactly.
If you enjoy walking in France and are also interested in long-distance trails with historical significance, you may wish to explore our St James Way and Camino de Santiago walking holidays, which include routes through similar landscapes in south-west France. For a very different experience, our Stevenson Trail walking holidays follow the GR70 through the Cévennes, while the Massif du Sancy walking holidays take you into the volcanic highlands of the Auvergne.
Practical tips for walking in the Dordogne
The best months for a Dordogne walking holiday are April, May, June, September and October. Spring brings wildflowers and pleasant temperatures, while autumn offers golden light and harvest season, when truffles and walnuts are gathered. July and August can be hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C, and the tourist sites are at their busiest.
The nearest main railway stations are Figeac (for the start of the walk) and Les Eyzies (for the finish). Both are connected to Paris via regional services through Brive-la-Gaillarde or Toulouse. If you are arriving from the United Kingdom, the most convenient route is to fly to Toulouse or Bergerac, or to take the Eurostar and connecting trains via Paris.
The walking terrain in the Dordogne is generally moderate. Trails follow well-marked GR paths, local footpaths and quiet country lanes. You should be comfortable walking 12 to 25 kilometres per day on undulating terrain with occasional short climbs. Good walking shoes with ankle support are recommended, along with a waterproof jacket, sun protection and a water bottle of at least 1.5 litres.
Do not miss the local gastronomy. The Périgord is celebrated for its foie gras, duck confit, truffles, walnuts and Bergerac wines. The markets in Sarlat (Wednesday and Saturday) and Souillac are excellent opportunities to taste and buy local products. Many of the restaurants and auberges along your route serve regional menus that showcase these specialities.
Request your free quote for a Dordogne walking holiday and let us help you plan your next walking adventure in France.
Frequently asked questions about Dordogne walking holidays
How difficult is walking in the Dordogne?
Walking in the Dordogne is graded as moderate (level 2). The terrain is undulating rather than mountainous, with daily stages of 12 to 28 kilometres. There are some short climbs to hilltop villages and limestone plateaux, but no sustained steep ascents. The trails are well maintained and clearly waymarked. Anyone with reasonable fitness who enjoys regular walks can complete this itinerary comfortably.
What is the difference between the Dordogne and the Périgord?
The Dordogne is the name of both the river and the modern French department in south-west France. The Périgord is the historical name for the same area, dating from before the French Revolution. Today, the Périgord is divided into four areas by colour: Périgord Vert (green, in the north), Périgord Blanc (white, around Périgueux), Périgord Pourpre (purple, around Bergerac) and Périgord Noir (black, around Sarlat). Our walking holiday focuses on the Périgord Noir, the most renowned area for walkers and the richest in terms of heritage and gastronomy.
What is included in a self-guided Dordogne walking holiday?
Your holiday includes half-board accommodation (dinner, bed and breakfast) in quality hotels and guesthouses, luggage transfer between each stage, a detailed route book with maps and walking directions (one per room), and local tourist tax. Transport to the start point and from the finish, midday meals, drinks and personal expenses are not included. We can arrange transfers from the nearest railway stations on request.
Can I customise my Dordogne walking holiday?
Yes. If the standard itinerary does not suit your schedule or fitness level, we can adapt it. You can shorten or lengthen stages, add rest days, choose a different starting point, or upgrade your accommodation. Simply send us your requirements and we will prepare a tailor-made proposal.
When is the best time to walk in the Dordogne?
The best periods are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). Spring offers mild temperatures, wildflowers and quieter trails. Autumn brings warm golden light, harvest festivals and the start of truffle season. Summer (July and August) is possible but can be very hot, with daytime temperatures above 30°C.
Is the Dordogne walking holiday suitable for solo walkers?
Yes. Many of our clients walk alone and find it a rewarding and safe experience. The trails are well marked, your accommodation is booked in advance, and our team is available by phone throughout your holiday should you need any assistance. Solo walkers are welcome on all our walking holidays.
What should I pack for a Dordogne walking holiday?
Since your main luggage is transferred between each stage, you only need to carry a light daypack. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good grip and ankle support, a waterproof jacket, sun cream and a hat, a water bottle of at least 1.5 litres, and some energy snacks. Your route book, a phone with GPS and a small first-aid kit complete your day kit.