Walking in the Dordogne In Style

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.

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.

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.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This tour is rated as easy to moderate, making it ideal for walkers with a reasonable level of physical fitness.

The routes include a mix of dirt trails, gravel paths, and tarmac country roads, which are typical for the Dordogne region. While some tarmac sections are unavoidable (particularly on your first day when hiking into Sarlat), they are a standard feature of official walking routes in this area. Drivers here are accustomed to sharing the roads with walkers, and the routes are well-signposted to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, and you’ll encounter a few short but fairly steep climbs along the way. Overall, this tour offers a pleasant balance of accessible terrain and manageable challenges, perfect for those looking to explore the beauty of Dordogne on foot.

The accommodations provided on this tour are a mix of stylish, hand-picked 3* and 4* hotels. In Domme and La Roque Gageac, lodging options are quite limited, so we’ve selected the best available 3* hotels. In Sarlat and Les Eyzies, you’ll be treated to a lovely experience with our excellent 4* hotel partners.

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 for excellent cuisine. For all the other evenings, dinner is not included, as you will no doubt wish to try one of the many delicious local restaurants in town or dine at your accommodation.

The route is mostly marked with easy-to-spot red and white GR signs or wooden posts with yellow or green markers, especially when you're on the GR trail. Some sections through the woods might feel trickier to navigate, but don’t worry, you’ve got this! The Macs Adventure Smartphone App has your back. Packed with detailed maps, GPS tracks, and daily route info, it’s like having a personal guide in your pocket, making sure you stay on track and stress-free. Adventure made simple.

Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

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

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.

There’s no shortage of historic chateaus/castles and prehistoric caves to visit in Dordogne, and you’ll find many of our favorite Points of Interest already mapped in each day’s hike on the Macs App. Please note: that due to their popularity and limited admission, you’ll want to check your preferred sites for operating hours and advance reservation requirements.

There are several different options available when getting to and from Sarlat. You can fly into and out of Toulouse, Limoges, Bergerac, Bordeaux, or even Paris! Sarlat is close to Souillac, which is on a main train line.

From Toulouse (approx. 2 hours), Limoges (approx. 1.5 hours), or Paris (approx. 4.5 hours), you can take trains to Souillac. From here, a transfer to Sarlat is included.

If you are flying into or out of Bordeaux (approx. 3 hours) or Bergerac (approx. 1.5 hours), you can take trains directly into and out of Sarlat itself, as it does have a small train station.  If you arrive in Sarlat by train from either Bordeaux or Bergerac, a discount will be provided.

Please check the SNCF website for more details on schedules and prices.

Macs Adventure will provide a transfer from Les Eyzies to either Souillac or Le Buisson, depending on your onward travel plans.

If you're flying from Bordeaux (approx. 3 hours) or Bergerac (approx. 1.5 hours) the best way is to be transferred to Le Buisson and catch the train from there.

If you are flying from  Toulouse (approx. 2 hours), Limoges (approx. 1.5 hours), or Paris (approx. 4.5 hours) we recommend a transfer to Souillac, which is on the main train line for all these destinations. 

For updated train times and ticket prices, please visit the SNCF website.

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.