Dordogne Valley - 8 Days
FranceDordogne

Dordogne Valley - 8 Days

8 Days
Moderate

Dordogne Valley - 8 Days

from $2,980 / person

Overview

Walk through the Périgord Noir, one of France's most captivating regions, on this eight-day journey through the Dordogne and Vézère valleys. The trails wind along rivers, through chestnut forests and walnut orchards, past fairytale medieval and Renaissance châteaux and into some of the most beautiful villages in the country. The UNESCO-listed prehistoric caves of the Vézère Valley add an extraordinary layer of history, with cave drawings dating back tens of thousands of years. Each evening, the colourful markets and restaurants of Sarlat beckon, where foie gras, truffles, confit and Bergerac wine are never far from the table.

Highlights

  • The beautiful Dordogne River and the finest Dordogne scenery
  • Visit the picturesque hilltop village of the Domme
  • Walk via what are ranked by the French themselves as some of the most beautiful villages in France
  • Enjoy the pre-historic sites & chateaux lining the banks of the Dordogne
  • Discover the great diversity of prehistoric sites at Les Eyzies, Lascaux, and Roque St Christophe in the UNESCO classified Vézère valley
  • Choice of an easy or moderate hike each day

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Guest House (5 nights), 3-star Hotel (2 nights)

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

7-18 km

Daily distance range

133-687 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in handpicked three-star guesthouses, charming small hotels and historic family homes, each chosen for their character, location and connection to the region. From elegant stone houses to 19th-century manor-style properties, the accommodation reflects the warmth and heritage of the Périgord Noir at every stop. A four-star upgrade option is available for those seeking extra comfort.


What You'll Eat

Seven breakfasts are included each morning to set you up for the day. Dordogne is one of France's great food regions, and lunch and dinner are yours to explore independently. From truffle-scented bistros and riverside terraces to the bustling market stalls of Sarlat, every meal is an opportunity to discover why Périgord cuisine is so celebrated. Foie gras, confit de canard, local cheeses and Bergerac wines are all waiting to be savoured at your own pace.


More About This Trip

The walk starts and finishes in Sarlat. The easiest option is to fly into Bordeaux and take the train to Sarlat, a straightforward connection with regular services. Alternatively, TGV high-speed trains run directly from Paris to Sarlat, or via Bordeaux with an onward connection.

This walk is available from 20 March to 5 November. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the finest times to walk — temperatures are ideal, the countryside is at its most beautiful, and the villages are quieter. Summer brings warmer days and longer evenings, perfect for lingering over dinner in Sarlat, though June onwards can be hot. The walk is not available in winter as accommodations close over the colder months.

This walk is graded moderate, with daily distances averaging around 18km and five to six hours of walking. The terrain is hilly but not mountainous, winding through chestnut and oak forests, past farmland and along river valleys through some of the most beautiful countryside in France. The walking is on well-maintained paths with little significant elevation, making it accessible to most walkers, though shorter options are available on longer days for those who prefer a more relaxed pace. Transfers on some days allow you to cover more of the region without retracing your steps. The Dordogne rewards those who linger — an extra day or two after the walk to explore the region further is highly recommended.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Dordogne reviews

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Dallas R
2 months ago

The departure point process was super easy. We had all the contact numbers in the kit provided. We absolutely loved our walk. Every day was a little different from the other and the scenery during the spring season was beautiful. We loved that we could choose shorter or longer walks each day depending on how we were feeling. We will definitely reach out Auswalk for our next walking adventure.

Lynette L
2 months ago

Scenic walk varying each day from farmland to Chateaus and villages in the beautiful Dordogne Valley

Kathryn L
2 years ago

The walking choices were great - lots of variety, taking us through different landscapes and areas of historical interest. The accommodation was also great, really lovely choices. Friendly and welcoming hosts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day while you walk — it will be waiting for you when you arrive. All transport on and off the track and daily luggage transfers are included in the package. You carry only a lightweight daypack on the trail.

The walking season runs from early spring through to autumn, with May, June, September, and October being the sweet spots. May and June are warm with long days, wildflowers in the meadows, and relatively few crowds. September and October bring golden light, cooler temperatures, the truffle season beginning in earnest, and the walnut and chestnut harvests. July and August are the peak tourist months — warm to hot, busier in the villages, and the period when the weekly markets in Sarlat are at their most vibrant. Early spring can be rainy, but the countryside is lush and the region is beautifully quiet.

A comfortable daypack with a waterproof cover. Key items include a quality waterproof jacket, warm layer, sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking boots, 1–2 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit, cash in Euros, your phone, and your walk notes and maps. The Auswalk navigation app is your primary wayfinding tool, particularly on sections of the route that are not formally waymarked.

France uses the Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. Carry some cash for smaller village bakeries, market stalls, and cave entrance fees where card facilities may not be available. ATMs are accessible in the larger towns like Sarlat and Les Eyzies, but can be scarce in smaller villages — stock up when you can.

Tipping is not mandatory in France, but rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros for attentive service is always appreciated — particularly at the smaller, family-run restaurants that make the Dordogne dining scene so special.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking so your accommodations can be informed in advance. The Dordogne's cuisine is heavily meat and duck-based, and vegetarian options — while more available than they once were — can be limited in smaller village restaurants. If your requirements are specific, Auswalk's insider restaurant tips in your walk notes will help you identify the best options each evening. Bringing supplementary snacks for the trail is always sensible regardless of dietary needs.

Want to Know More?

The Dordogne Experience

Wonder
The Dordogne on foot, France's most quietly magnificent secret. Wander Sarlat-la-Canéda’s cobbled squares and honey-stone architectural treasures
Visit Château des Milandes, Josephine Baker’s restored riverside château
Auswalk though prehistory through Lascaux IV, Les Eyzies and Gorge d’Enfer
Wellness
Walking in the Dordogne restores you by subtraction. The further you walk from the road, the lighter everything feels.
Reconnect to a pace of life that feels genuinely nourishing. This is green therapy at its most effortless and most effective
Relax in handpicked acccommodations rich with regional ambience & pause for café terraces, local produce and Dordogne valley panoramas
Nature
This is one of the most quietly unspoiled river valleys in Europe. Traverse oak and chestnut forests above the River Beune to Commarque
Walk away from the croards beside the Vézère River past limestone cliffs and troglodyte shelters
Weave through wooded hills, forest canopies and quiet hamlets and take in Domme’s cliff-top views across the broad Dordogne Valley