The area around Sarlat, formed like a half-moon, is called „Périgord Noir“. Here you find dark oak- and pine forests, flocks of quacking geese and round stone-huts. Follow the Dordogne through the Périgord past beautiful castles, medieval towns and many witnesses of the stone-age. The Périgord is famous for the heritage, mild climate and delicate cuisine, belonging to the best of france. The culinary treats form a big part of the “Art de Vivre” in the Périgord. Foie gras, truffles, confit and cassoulet made perfect by a glass of Bergera. Do you already feel your mouth watering?
Details of the hiking holiday in the Dordogne Périgord region
Experience the picturesque region of Dordogne-Périgord and immerse yourself in a particularly enjoyable break in France. There is a lot to discover in eight days and six hiking stages: picturesque sceneries, romantic places, castles steeped in history and sights from the Middle Ages, as well as prehistoric wall paintings and one thing in particular – the regional specialities and culinary delicacies. From Sarlat, the route initially leads to Domme, then to Les Eyzies and finally to Montignac. An impressive circular hike in the Lascaux Caves, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, is the crowning glory of this diverse hiking holiday.
All information and details about the hiking holiday in the Dordogne-Périgord region at a glance.
Highlights of the walking tour in the Dordogne Périgord region
A stroll through Domme: The small community of Domme in South-West France is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country. The best way to experience Domme is to take a leisurely stroll through town. Afterwards you can enjoy a wonderful distant view over the Dordogne valley from the ’Esplanade de la Barre’ on the cliff edge. Not surprising that the community is also known as the balcony of the Dordogne.
In the footsteps of history: On the fifth day of your hiking holiday the route leads into the Vézère valley. There are wall paintings and lived-in caves dating back to prehistoric times. Also on the final day of your active holiday there is a special feature of prehistory to explore: the Lascaux caves, home to the oldest paintings in history.
Picnic the French way: The regional cuisine offers the best conditions and delicious specialities for a successful picnic in the fresh air. Cheese specialities, delicious truffles, crusty baguette and tasty fruit – rounded off with an excellent glass of wine and your picnic is perfect.
Worth knowing about walking in the Dordogne Périgord region
Our wakling holiday in the Dordogne-Périgord region is assigned our level of hiking “Walking”. With a good basic fitness level, our active holiday through this unique bliss region becomes a soothing experience. Particularly convenient: the longer stages can also be easily shortened with a transfer if desired, and there is a shorter option for some routes on offer.
Our tip: This active holiday in the Dordogne-Périgord region can also be booked as a hiking holiday with a dog.
Sarlat, officially named "Sarlat-La-Canéda", is an idyllic small town in „Périgord Noir“. The well maintained old town with houses from the 15th and 16th century as well the honey and ochre coloured walls emanate a special atmosphere. Walk through the old town to the numerous points of interest.Feel the best city flair of cool, shady alleys and inner courtyards.
At first you walk through the forest to the Dordogne, follow the river bank to Monlord. Continue to Domme, where you will stay overnight. The well maintained Bastide occupies a spectacular situation on a rocky outcrop over the Dordogne. Enjoy a stroll through the village with small shops, offering arts and crafts as well as local specialities.
The highlights of today are the splendid castles of Castelnaud and Millandes, which you should not miss to visit. Afterwards you follow the idyllic river walk to Beynac, where you have a transfer to your hotel in Les Eyzies.
The today circular walk leads to La Madeleine. Walk through the valley of Dordogne into the valley of the river Vézère, likewise characteristic for the Périgord. Here you find pre-historic wall paintings, caves and other sanctuaries that witness the existence of pre-historic men. Visit the castle Tayac in Les Eyzies, exhibiting a Neandertal. Alternatively, you can choose the shorter circular walk around river Beaune.
In the morning short transfer to village Lespinasse. Afterwards follow river Vezère up-river, crossing it several times and walk through many small villages – pure Dordogne. How about a picnic with baguette, wine and cheese for substance? This night you will stay in the lovely village Montignac.
Today you walk to the caves of Lascaux, part of UNESCO Heritage with the oldest paintings of mankind. Visit the reproductions in a mock-up of the caves. In the afternoon, possibility of canoeing on the Vézère to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, a charming village with cosy cafés by the water.
approx. 2.5 hours
9 km
200 m
200 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Characteristics of the route
Walking tour through varied scenery. You walk in a region of pleasure with many points of interest. Good basic fitness level for longer walking distances required, tours can be cut short via transfers. Sometimes shorter variants are available.
Transfer on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th day (upon request, to shorten the walking distance)
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
GPS-data available
Service hotline
Optional extras:
For departure we recommend taking the taxi from Montignac to Brive (train station) or to Sarlat, cost approx. EUR 90 per fare (Sunday/holiday approx. EUR 120). Reservation required on arrival at the hotel in Montignac, payable on-site.
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
By train via Paris to Sarlat in approx. 6 hours (1x change of trains)
Airport Bordeaux und further by train to Sarlat, approx. 3 hours, or airport Bergerac and further by train to Sarlat, approx. 2.5 hours (www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine).
Parking: public parking place close to the hotel, approx. EUR 5 per day. No reservation possible, payable on-site.
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Contact & booking
Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.
"I will help you with the planning of your holidays with advice and action"
Wir sind begeistert von der Tour, gemütliche Wanderungen, wunderbare Hotels und köstliche Mahlzeiten
TanjaHaringanswered:
Herzlichen Dank für Ihre positive Rückmeldung, es freut uns sehr, wenn Sie eine schöne Auszeit hatten. Wir hoffen, schon bald wieder eine Wanderreise für Sie organisieren zu dürfen.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Anita Hauser |24.10.2021
Kultur trifft auf Natur
Die Wanderreise Dordogne Périgord überzeugte uns von Beginn an. Tolle Wanderwege, super leckers Essen, wunderschöne Landschafte und beeindruckende Kulturhighlights. Die Rundwanderung in Sarlat bietet sich super als Start dieser Wanderreise an. Vor allem die Altstadt und ihre alten Häuser haben uns sehr gefallen. Der Abschluss der Reise die „Höhlen von Lascaux“ rundeten die letzten Tage optimal ab. So ein Highlight zum Schluss war nochmal echt klasse! Eine sehr empfehlenswerte Reise.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Hans-Günther Geißler |22.05.2017
Wandern in der Dordogne Périgord
Es war eine sehr schöne Wanderreise mit vielen Eindrücken. Alle Hotels waren sehr gut gelegen, immer mitten im Geschehen. Fast alle Unterkünfte waren in älteren Gebäuden, was einen gewissen Charme den Hotels und auch den Zimmern verlieh. Landschaft und Essen sind ein Genuss. Leider sind viele Wanderabschnitte asphaltierte Straßen, die aber meist wenig befahren sind.
TanjaHaringanswered:
Lieber Herr Geißler, besten Dank für Ihr nettes Reisefeedback! Wir versuchen bei der Auswahl der Wanderwege immer auf möglichst schöne und unberührte Wege zu achten und überall wo möglich, die vorhandenen Wanderwege zu nützen. Sollte dies einmal nicht möglich sein, wird auf gemütlichen und ganz wenig befahrenen Nebenstraßen gewandert. Wir freuen uns, dass Sie mit Ihrer Dordogne Reise zufrieden waren!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Dr. Thomas Haug |10.05.2017
Dordogne
Die Wandertour ist sehr zu empfehlen mit vielen Höhepunkten. Teilweise war die Wanderbeschreibung etwas unpräzise. Wichtige Abbiegungen waren nicht immer eindeutig beschrieben. Da halfen dann die GPS-Daten, so dass wir uns nie verlaufen haben. Alle Taxitransfers waren sehr pünktlich und die Fahrer hilfsbereit und sehr freundlich. Die Hotelauswahl war angemessen.
TanjaHaringanswered:
Sehr geehrter Herr Dr. Haug, vielen Dank für Ihr schönes Reisefeedback! Wir freuen uns, dass Sie spannende Wandertage in der Dordogne Region verbracht haben - vielen Dank für Ihren Hinweis bzgl. den Etappenbeschreibungen, wir werden diese prüfen und weiter verbessern!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Hans Walenta |01.06.2016
Wanderreise Dordogne
Sehr schönes Wandererlebnis mit guten Routen und akzeptablen, sehr gut ausgewählten Quartieren, die einen unverfälschten Eindruck des dortigen Lebensgefühls vermitteln.
TanjaHaringanswered:
Sehr geehrter Herr Walenta - vielen Dank für Ihr Reisefeedback! Bei dieser Wanderung nächtigen Sie in speziell ausgewählten, besonderen Unterkünften mit französischem Charme. Schön, dass Ihnen unsere Dordogne Reise gefallen hat!