Hiking in the Dordogne from your holiday home in France

Hikes to do when on holiday in France

Castle routes: Many castles in the Dordogne are accessible via short, adventurous walks. For example, the climb to Château de Beynac in Beynac-et-Cazenac is an experience in itself, with a steep road through the village and a beautiful view as a reward. We also highly recommend visiting Château Castelnaud, especially if your children love knights and weapons. The walk to these castles is easy to do with children, although bringing a stroller might be difficult due to the steep paths.
Walking along the river: The banks of the Dordogne are perfect for short walks, picnics, water fun and water sports. At Le Buisson de Cadouin, for example, you can combine a nice walk with swimming or build dams in the river. Along the river, near Domaine de Lanzac, there are many beaches and places where children can play safely or where you can go canoeing.
Nature walks: Around the town of Champs-Romain there are several walks, including a route to the waterfalls of Chalard. These routes offer plenty of nature and adventure along the way, ideal for families. You can also enjoy hiking in the Causses du Quercy.
Prehistoric walks: In the vicinity of Les Eyzies there are hiking trails that lead past caves and prehistoric sites, such as Roc de Gazelle. Here, children can discover how people used to live and take part in treasure hunts and climbing sections.
Short city walks: In towns such as Sarlat-la-Canéda, there are city walks of 5 km, suitable for families who want to combine culture and history with a walk that is not to long.

Preparation and packing list

• Check the weather forecast
• Inform those staying at home which route you are taking
• Stay on marked trails
• Comfortabele hiking shoes
• Hiking socks
• Weatherproof clothing (including raincoat)
• Backpack (20-30 liter)
• Water bottle or drinking bag
• Energy snacks/lunch
• Hiking map/GPS
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, cap
• First aid kit (including blister plasters)
• Smartphone and/or powerbank
• Walking sticks (optional)
• Pocket knife (optional)
• Identity document

Hiking in the Dordogne: Popular routes

There are so many beautiful hiking trails in the Dordogne that you can't walk them all during your holiday in France. We have selected the most beautiful routes for you.
Beynac and La Roque-Gageac route (12 km) - This route connects two of the most beautiful villages in France. During this walk in the Dordogne valley, you will enjoy beautiful views over the Dordogne, walk through forests and pass the imposing Château de Beynac and the picturesque La Roque-Gageac with its tropical garden.
Vitrac to Montfort (10 km) - This 10 km route follows the Dordogne River, taking you past picturesque villages and offering beautiful views of the water and surrounding hills. You walk through alternating open landscape and wooded areas. The walk is not too long, varied and offers plenty of places to stop for an ice cream or a picnic along the way. Ideal for families who love nature and culture.
Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère to Carlux (15 km) - Hike through forests and fields. You will pass through charming villages and enjoy the rural character of the Dordogne, far from the large tourist crowds.
Le sentier de l'ermite (5 km) – This route was voted one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Périgord in 2019. This walk is aimed at bringing the history of the village of Saint-Cyprien to life. Information boards along the route inform visitors on the past, as you pass by caves in the Dordogne and over the limestone cliffs with beautiful views over the Dordogne valley.
Trémolat and the Dronne Valley (8 km) – This route is very suitable for families. You walk along the river Dronne and enjoy beautiful views. The landscape is varied and offers plenty of opportunities to see special plants and animals. The route is not too difficult and there are plenty of opportunities to take a break along the way.
Gorges de l'Auvézère in Saint-Mesmin (40 km) - This route runs on marked trails through one of the most rugged and unspoilt natural areas in the Dordogne. You will walk along impressive gorges, waterfalls and wild rivers. This makes this route one of the most varied in the region.
Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin - This vast natural park offers a network of hiking trails for all levels, including families with children. There are lakes, rivers and plenty of opportunities for educational activities, such as treasure hunts and nature excursions. The alternation between walking, playing and discovering makes this park particularly suitable for families.
Circuit découverte Domme (4 km) - Domme is one of the 'Plus beaux villages de France'. This short walk explores the medieval city gates, fortifications and the famous cave of Domme. You will enjoy beautiful views over the Dordogne valley. The route is ideal for lovers of history and architecture.
Forest around Montpeyroux (20 km) - For nature lovers, a network of trails stretches in and around this centuries-old forest. Perfect for admiring the beautiful nature of the region.

Sarlat-La-Canéda city walk (5 km) - Discover the medieval streets of Sarlat, full of history and atmosphere. This walk will take you through the medieval streets of Sarlat, one of the best preserved medieval cities in France. Ideal for those who want to combine culture and history with a leisurely stroll.
The Beynac Castle Route (20 km) – An impressive tour of some of the most authentic castles in the Dordogne, including Château de Beynac and Château de Castelnaud. The route offers a nice mix of nature, culture and adventure. Also fun for children.
Montfort circuit (15 km) - A walk around the Château de Montfort. After a climb through the undergrowth, you will reach the village of Vitrac, with magnificent views over a natural plateau and the cliffs of Caudon and Roche Percée.
Boucle des moulins near Jumilhac-le-Grand (14 km) – During this circular walk you will see the varied landscape of valleys, forests and old water mills. Enjoy stunning views of the highest hills of the Dordogne along the way.
Dordogne Valley (30 km) - This long-distance hike takes you past water, gardens, forests and open fields. You will pass the Jardins d'eau, the labyrinth of Ferme de Turnac and various castles in the Dordogne, which makes for a very varied walk.
Walking through Périgueux- The Périgueux city walking tour takes you through narrow streets past Roman ruins, medieval squares, and the impressive cathedral. You will see the rich history of this city, from Roman times to the Middle Ages, and enjoy the characteristic cityscape.
Route around the castle of Castelnaud (16.5 km) - This nature walk starts at the imposing Castelnaud-la-Chapelle Castle, a 13th-century castle with a war museum. The route runs through wooded area and also passes Château des Milandes, the former home of Josephine Baker.
Monpazier to Château de Biron walk - This walk starts in the bastide village of Monpazier, a perfectly preserved medieval bastide or fortified town, and leads to the imposing castle of Biron. Along the way, you will walk through the typical landscape of the Périgord.
Boucle de Calès (10 km) - Circular walk along the high and low banks of the Dordogne. You have beautiful views of the river and walk along steep bank walls, forests and open grasslands.
Boucle de Monbazillac (6 km) - This relatively short walk offers regular views of the famous Château de Monbazillac, a sixteenth-century castle surrounded by vineyards.
GR®646 The Périgueux (Dordogne) à Ste-Foy-la-Grande (Gironde) - This long-distance hiking trail is divided into stages, several of which are excellent for families with children. The route runs through the rolling Dordogne countryside, along rivers and through charming villages. The trails are well marked and offer many opportunities for picnics and breaks. Is this route too long to hike? You can also cycle large parts of this tour.

Hiking trails in the Dordogne - nature reserves

For those who would like to spot wild animals while hiking in the Dordogne, there are several routes and nature reserves where the chance of seeing fauna is high. These hiking trails will take you through forests, along rivers and through natural parks known for their biodiversity and tranquility, allowing you to fully enjoy nature and its inhabitants.
Forest around Montpeyroux - This centuries-old forest offers a network of hiking trails where you can enjoy nature in peace. Due to the dense vegetation and varied landscape, many bird species, small mammals and occasionally larger animals such as deer and wild boar live here. The chance of seeing animals is high, especially if you walk quietly.
Surroundings of Mareuil - With 350 kilometers of hiking trails through forests, fields, and along ponds, this area is ideal for observing wildlife. You will see deer, wild boar, squirrels, owls and countless insects and butterflies. The routes are varied and offer plenty of opportunities for nature lovers who like to spot animals.

Parc Naturel Régional Périgord Limousin - This vast natural park in the Limousin region is known for its tranquil landscape, rich biodiversity, and abundance of wildlife. During walks through the forests, along rivers and ponds, you will have the chance to see deer, wild boar, squirrels, salamanders, owls and numerous bird species. The trails are well maintained and offer plenty of opportunity to observe animals in peace, especially in the early morning or at dusk.
Gorges de l'Auvézère near Saint-Mesmin - The rugged gorges and forests of the Gorges de l'Auvézère are a true paradise for nature lovers and animal spotters. With more than 40 km of hiking trails through unspoilt nature, you have a great chance of encountering birds of prey, roe deer, badgers and other forest dwellers. The remoteness and varied landscape provide a rich fauna.
Étangs de la Double - This wetland area is an oasis for flora and fauna. The many ponds attract birds, amphibians and small mammals. During a walk through this serene landscape you can spot special bird species and enjoy the tranquility that the area exudes.