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OVERVIEW

The Dordogne region is famous for its cobbled streets, picturesque squares, architectural treasures and fairytale castles, like Chateaux de Commarque, Beynac and Milandes that straddle the banks of the Dordogne River. Traverse the iconic villages of Beynac, La Roque Gageac and the magnificent bastide village of Domme.

Walk the Vézère valley where the chateaux give way to prehistoric caves and UNESCO-listed sites, including the Lascaux IV caves, the site of some of the oldest paintings in human history.

Highlights

  • The famous Lascaux Valley and experience the highlights of the Perigord Noir
  • Stunning chateaux including Des Milandes (Josephine Bakers' home)
  • Explore the towns of Montignac, Saint Leon, Le Moustier, Beynac, La Roque Gageac, Les Eyzies, Vitrac and Castelnaud
  • Visit the hilltop village of the Domme
  • Walk in the steps of Cro-magnon man on the way to Gorge d'Enfer valley and the  Vézère River
  • The valley of the Dordogne river also produces some of the world's most prestigious wines; enjoy!

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
10 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate

Grade 3 – Moderate

Short, steep hill sections. Walks that are longer than 12km with varied terrain. A moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience is recommended.
PRICE FROM
$ 2995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 1035

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of a room when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9
  • Day 10

DAY 1
ARRIVAL IN SARLAT THE TOWN OF ART HISTORY

The start: Arrival by your own means to Sarlat-la-Caneda (see how to get there in the General Info section). There’s no walking scheduled today, however, there’s plenty to explore including the picturesque small town squares and other architecturally significant buildings. If you start your walk on a Wednesday or Saturday you will get to enjoy the lively town market. Entrance to Chateau de Cammarque is included

Walking: Easy 1 – 5 km
Accommodation:  Sarlat

DAY 2
CHATEAU DE COMMARQUE & THE BEUNE VALLEY

The walk starts in with a transfer to Marquay, a charming Perigourdine village, with a 12th-century fortified church at its centre.  Traverse through deep oak & chestnut forests, punctuated by hamlets and rock shelters dug by the River Beune. Arrive at the Château de Commarque,  perched on a rocky outcrop with breathtaking views over the surrounding landscape (closed in March). The site features troglodyte habitats and a prehistoric cave (visit included). Continue your walk back to Marquay and transfer back to Sarlat (15mn).

Walking: Moderate / 13km / 3hrs 30 mins to 4hrs 30 mins

Elevation: +330M / -330M
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sarlat

 

DAY 3
EXPLORE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES OF THE DORDOGNE VALLEY

There are two walking options today, either start in Beynac, a longer walk, or a shorter option starting in La Roque

The stunning cliff-side village of Beynac and the impressive château were once captured by Richard Lionheart.  From Benyac you traverse wooded hills above the river before you reach La Roque Gageac touted as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The town contains historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings, exotic gardens and ochre-coloured stone houses.

If you have time or inclination there’s the opportunity to ride down the river on a flat-bottomed Gabarre, a replica of an old merchant ship from the 18th century. Domme, a magnificent bastide town dating from 1283 perched on a vertiginous cliff with golden stones offering panoramic views over the
Dordogne Valley.

Walking: Moderate / 11km or 18 km / 4– 6hrs

Elevation: +650M / -500M
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Domme

DAY 4
CHATEAU DES MILANDES & CASTELNAUD

There is an option to shorten your hike today, but in both versions of the walk you will pass by the magnificent Des Milandes Chateaux.  There is a short transfer to Allas les Mines, the longer hike,  or directly to Château des Milandes: The chateau became world-famous due to Josephine Baker, an American jazz singer of the 1930’s who renovated the chateau from a state of disrepair. As you follow the left bank of the Dordogne you will reach Castelnaud, a heritage-listed village that is dominated by a fortified castle that played an important role in the Hundred Year War.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 13 – 20 km / 4.5–7 hrs

Elevation: +640m or +430m / -560m or -390m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Domme

DAY 5
THE UNESCO CLASSIFIED VEZERE VALLEY

The walk through the enchanting Vezere valley towards Les Eyzies the capital of prehistory is one of the highlights. Again there are two choices of walks today; you can choose to be transferred to Limueil for a longer walk or directly to Le Bugue the shorter option. Starting in Limeuil (40 min), one of the most beautiful villages in France, you then walk via some of the most stunning landscapes of the region before arriving in Le Bugue located on the Vézère river. Pass through forest canopies, and via farms and hamlets to St Cirq. This is where there is an opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier. The walk ends in Les Eyzies.

Walking: Moderate / 23 km or 13.5km / 6.5 hrs or 4 hrs

Elevation: +190m / -430m or -180m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies.

DAY 6
LES EYZIES AND PREHISTORIC ARCHILOGICAL SITES

Exploring the prehistoric remains around Les Eyzies is today’s mission. After leaving Les Eyries you will get to walk in the footsteps of the Cro Magnon man before crossing the Gorge d’Enfer valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the Vézère river on your way back to Les Eyzies. Les Eyzies is also the home of the National Museum of Prehistory, well worth a visit.

Walking: Moderate / 12km / 4hrs

Elevation: 400m / -200m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies

DAY 7
St Cyprien, Meyrals & Les Eyzies

The transfer to the start of your walk allows you to really immerse yourself in the French countryside as you walk back to Les Eyries. Both the longer and shorter versions have you walk through the forest and then past farms and gorgeous little hamlets and back to Les Eyzies. This is the rural heart of the Périgourdine countryside so expect to experience french rural life including local produce.

Walking: Moderate / 15 or 10 km / 4 to 6 hrs

Elevation: +400m / -300m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies

DAY 8
LA ROQUE ST CHRISTOPHE & SAINT LEON SUR VEZER

Today two walking options are either a transfer to Le Moustier for the longer walk or to St Leon sur Vezere for the more gentle option. From Le Moustier the path of prehistory runs along La Roque Saint Christophe a unique troglodyte, before making your way to Saint Léon sur Vézère, another ‘classified’ village.

You can choose to relax and have lunch at a café terrace with stunning views over the river.  The walk ends at the charming village of Montignac at the foot of the famous hill Lascaux.

Walking: Moderate / 20km or 14 km / 3.5 to 5.5 hrs

Elevation:  +300m / -510m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Montignac

DAY 9
THE ICONIC LASCAUX CAVE

Today’s hike is a short loop walk that follows the footsteps of our ancient ancestors with the opportunity to visit the LASCAUX IV cave (this is not included, and must be pre-booked in advance). The cave is a complete and original replica that houses the oldest paintings of humanity and retraces the discovery of this very famous archaeological site.

Walking: Moderate / 7km / 3 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Montignac

DAY 10
END OF THE TRIP IN SARLAT

The trip finishes after breakfast with a transfer back to Sarlat. Why not spend a few more days in the region?

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • 9 nights accommodation with private facilities, in handpicked B and B’s or 2-star guesthouses
  • 9 breakfasts
  • Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the freshest baguettes, where to taste olive oil or wine)
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground
  • GPX files
  • Day 2 Entrance Château de Commarque
  • Transfers Day 2 to Marquay: Day 3 to Beynac or La Roque Gageac: Day 4 to Allas or the Château des Milandes: Day 5 to Limeul or Le Bugue: Day 7 to St Cyprien or Meyrals: Day 8 to Peyzac Le Moustier or St Léon sur Vézère: Day 10 to Sarlat

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

All the accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region. From elegant guesthouses, small charming hotels to 19th Century family homes you can be assured that wherever you stay you will be warmly welcomed. The accommodations are 3 star with an emphasis on location and the ambience of the region. There is a choice of upgrading to 4 star accommodation if you wish.

We will endeavour to book all the accommodation listed below, but in the off chance we can’t, we will substitute something of equal quality.

  • Night 1 & 2

  • Night 1 & 2

  • Night 3 & 4

  • Night 3 & 4

  • Night 5, 6 & 7

  • Night 5, 6 & 7

  • Night 8 & 9

  • Night 8 & 9

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed.  Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

ngraph

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - BELOW AVERAGE

Elevation is not a major consideration in your overall training program. However, you should still incorporate some form of resistance training to increase your endurance.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles

GENERAL INFO

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available from the 1st of March to November 15th.

HOW TO GET START AND FROM THE END OF THE WALK

The walk starts and ends in Sarlat. You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the trip in Sarlat. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

Train: From Paris with TGV High-speed train Paris or from Bordeaux and then Bordeaux to Sarlat or with a direct train also from Paris. Or from Bordeaux airport by train from Bordeaux to Sarlat. Please see the websites below for more information.

Trainline.com: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times
TGV: https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv

Plane: One of the easiest options would be to fly into Bordeaux and then catch the train from there to Sarlat. There are many airlines that fly from Paris to Bordeaux. Below are possible websites that provide a number of different carriers to choose from.

https://www.kayak.com/flights
www.google.com/flights

WALKING

What’s important is to optimise your time whilst you are in the region. We transfer you almost every day to avoid out-and-back walks and to let you discover more of the Dordogne region at your own pace. The terrain is hilly, but not mountainous, with lots of chestnut & oak forests, and typical farm animals like cattle, sheep and goats. The walks are not technically difficult as there is not much elevation, so the walks are fairly easy, but we still offer shorter options for those who want easier days.

The walk is moderate with some long days if you wish. There are options to shorten the walk on all of the long days. Full-day walks average about 18 km with 5 –6. hours walking each day. The walking is over mostly flat well-maintained paths through the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne region. Please assess your walking capability in the context of how many kilometres each day is walked to assess whether this walk is suitable for you. Walkers have let us know that our assessment of the walk as moderate is accurate but their level of fitness may not be equivalent to your fitness level.

This is a beautiful area with many fabulous historic attractions on top of the fabulous walking routes. We highly recommend that you incorporate some extra time after the walk to rest and immerse yourself in the region.

For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice in our FAQ section.

WEATHER

From March the temperature begins to rise so be prepared for warmer days if you walk in June (summer). The walk is not offered in winter as the accommodations close and the conditions are not pleasant or perhaps even safe in the mountains. Shoulder season is by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of having fewer people around in the villages and towns (we walk away from the people on the walk so crowds are never an issue.)

See the weather information at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    PER PERSON
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 15 Nov 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2995

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1035
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 15 Nov 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $3795

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $2255

    4 Star Accommodation

    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 11 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $3115

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1075
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $3945

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $2345

    4 Star Accommodation

    BOOK NOW

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Overview

OVERVIEW

The Dordogne region is famous for its cobbled streets, picturesque squares, architectural treasures and fairytale castles, like Chateaux de Commarque, Beynac and Milandes that straddle the banks of the Dordogne River. Traverse the iconic villages of Beynac, La Roque Gageac and the magnificent bastide village of Domme.

Walk the Vézère valley where the chateaux give way to prehistoric caves and UNESCO-listed sites, including the Lascaux IV caves, the site of some of the oldest paintings in human history.

Highlights

  • The famous Lascaux Valley and experience the highlights of the Perigord Noir
  • Stunning chateaux including Des Milandes (Josephine Bakers' home)
  • Explore the towns of Montignac, Saint Leon, Le Moustier, Beynac, La Roque Gageac, Les Eyzies, Vitrac and Castelnaud
  • Visit the hilltop village of the Domme
  • Walk in the steps of Cro-magnon man on the way to Gorge d'Enfer valley and the  Vézère River
  • The valley of the Dordogne river also produces some of the world's most prestigious wines; enjoy!

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
10 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate

Grade 3 – Moderate

Short, steep hill sections. Walks that are longer than 12km with varied terrain. A moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience is recommended.
PRICE FROM
$ 2995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 1035

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now
Itinerary

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9
  • Day 10

DAY 1
ARRIVAL IN SARLAT THE TOWN OF ART HISTORY

The start: Arrival by your own means to Sarlat-la-Caneda (see how to get there in the General Info section). There’s no walking scheduled today, however, there’s plenty to explore including the picturesque small town squares and other architecturally significant buildings. If you start your walk on a Wednesday or Saturday you will get to enjoy the lively town market. Entrance to Chateau de Cammarque is included

Walking: Easy 1 – 5 km
Accommodation:  Sarlat

DAY 2
CHATEAU DE COMMARQUE & THE BEUNE VALLEY

The walk starts in with a transfer to Marquay, a charming Perigourdine village, with a 12th-century fortified church at its centre.  Traverse through deep oak & chestnut forests, punctuated by hamlets and rock shelters dug by the River Beune. Arrive at the Château de Commarque,  perched on a rocky outcrop with breathtaking views over the surrounding landscape (closed in March). The site features troglodyte habitats and a prehistoric cave (visit included). Continue your walk back to Marquay and transfer back to Sarlat (15mn).

Walking: Moderate / 13km / 3hrs 30 mins to 4hrs 30 mins

Elevation: +330M / -330M
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sarlat

 

DAY 3
EXPLORE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES OF THE DORDOGNE VALLEY

There are two walking options today, either start in Beynac, a longer walk, or a shorter option starting in La Roque

The stunning cliff-side village of Beynac and the impressive château were once captured by Richard Lionheart.  From Benyac you traverse wooded hills above the river before you reach La Roque Gageac touted as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The town contains historic mansions, troglodyte dwellings, exotic gardens and ochre-coloured stone houses.

If you have time or inclination there’s the opportunity to ride down the river on a flat-bottomed Gabarre, a replica of an old merchant ship from the 18th century. Domme, a magnificent bastide town dating from 1283 perched on a vertiginous cliff with golden stones offering panoramic views over the
Dordogne Valley.

Walking: Moderate / 11km or 18 km / 4– 6hrs

Elevation: +650M / -500M
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Domme

DAY 4
CHATEAU DES MILANDES & CASTELNAUD

There is an option to shorten your hike today, but in both versions of the walk you will pass by the magnificent Des Milandes Chateaux.  There is a short transfer to Allas les Mines, the longer hike,  or directly to Château des Milandes: The chateau became world-famous due to Josephine Baker, an American jazz singer of the 1930’s who renovated the chateau from a state of disrepair. As you follow the left bank of the Dordogne you will reach Castelnaud, a heritage-listed village that is dominated by a fortified castle that played an important role in the Hundred Year War.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 13 – 20 km / 4.5–7 hrs

Elevation: +640m or +430m / -560m or -390m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Domme

DAY 5
THE UNESCO CLASSIFIED VEZERE VALLEY

The walk through the enchanting Vezere valley towards Les Eyzies the capital of prehistory is one of the highlights. Again there are two choices of walks today; you can choose to be transferred to Limueil for a longer walk or directly to Le Bugue the shorter option. Starting in Limeuil (40 min), one of the most beautiful villages in France, you then walk via some of the most stunning landscapes of the region before arriving in Le Bugue located on the Vézère river. Pass through forest canopies, and via farms and hamlets to St Cirq. This is where there is an opportunity to visit the prehistoric Grotte du Sorcier. The walk ends in Les Eyzies.

Walking: Moderate / 23 km or 13.5km / 6.5 hrs or 4 hrs

Elevation: +190m / -430m or -180m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies.

DAY 6
LES EYZIES AND PREHISTORIC ARCHILOGICAL SITES

Exploring the prehistoric remains around Les Eyzies is today’s mission. After leaving Les Eyries you will get to walk in the footsteps of the Cro Magnon man before crossing the Gorge d’Enfer valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the Vézère river on your way back to Les Eyzies. Les Eyzies is also the home of the National Museum of Prehistory, well worth a visit.

Walking: Moderate / 12km / 4hrs

Elevation: 400m / -200m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies

DAY 7
St Cyprien, Meyrals & Les Eyzies

The transfer to the start of your walk allows you to really immerse yourself in the French countryside as you walk back to Les Eyries. Both the longer and shorter versions have you walk through the forest and then past farms and gorgeous little hamlets and back to Les Eyzies. This is the rural heart of the Périgourdine countryside so expect to experience french rural life including local produce.

Walking: Moderate / 15 or 10 km / 4 to 6 hrs

Elevation: +400m / -300m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Les Eyzies

DAY 8
LA ROQUE ST CHRISTOPHE & SAINT LEON SUR VEZER

Today two walking options are either a transfer to Le Moustier for the longer walk or to St Leon sur Vezere for the more gentle option. From Le Moustier the path of prehistory runs along La Roque Saint Christophe a unique troglodyte, before making your way to Saint Léon sur Vézère, another ‘classified’ village.

You can choose to relax and have lunch at a café terrace with stunning views over the river.  The walk ends at the charming village of Montignac at the foot of the famous hill Lascaux.

Walking: Moderate / 20km or 14 km / 3.5 to 5.5 hrs

Elevation:  +300m / -510m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Montignac

DAY 9
THE ICONIC LASCAUX CAVE

Today’s hike is a short loop walk that follows the footsteps of our ancient ancestors with the opportunity to visit the LASCAUX IV cave (this is not included, and must be pre-booked in advance). The cave is a complete and original replica that houses the oldest paintings of humanity and retraces the discovery of this very famous archaeological site.

Walking: Moderate / 7km / 3 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Montignac

DAY 10
END OF THE TRIP IN SARLAT

The trip finishes after breakfast with a transfer back to Sarlat. Why not spend a few more days in the region?

What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • 9 nights accommodation with private facilities, in handpicked B and B’s or 2-star guesthouses
  • 9 breakfasts
  • Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the freshest baguettes, where to taste olive oil or wine)
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground
  • GPX files
  • Day 2 Entrance Château de Commarque
  • Transfers Day 2 to Marquay: Day 3 to Beynac or La Roque Gageac: Day 4 to Allas or the Château des Milandes: Day 5 to Limeul or Le Bugue: Day 7 to St Cyprien or Meyrals: Day 8 to Peyzac Le Moustier or St Léon sur Vézère: Day 10 to Sarlat
Accommodation & Dining

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

All the accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region. From elegant guesthouses, small charming hotels to 19th Century family homes you can be assured that wherever you stay you will be warmly welcomed. The accommodations are 3 star with an emphasis on location and the ambience of the region. There is a choice of upgrading to 4 star accommodation if you wish.

We will endeavour to book all the accommodation listed below, but in the off chance we can’t, we will substitute something of equal quality.

  • Night 1 & 2

  • Night 1 & 2

  • Night 3 & 4

  • Night 3 & 4

  • Night 5, 6 & 7

  • Night 5, 6 & 7

  • Night 8 & 9

  • Night 8 & 9

Fitness Guide

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed.  Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

ngraph

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - BELOW AVERAGE

Elevation is not a major consideration in your overall training program. However, you should still incorporate some form of resistance training to increase your endurance.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles

General Info

GENERAL INFO

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available from the 1st of March to November 15th.

HOW TO GET START AND FROM THE END OF THE WALK

The walk starts and ends in Sarlat. You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the trip in Sarlat. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

Train: From Paris with TGV High-speed train Paris or from Bordeaux and then Bordeaux to Sarlat or with a direct train also from Paris. Or from Bordeaux airport by train from Bordeaux to Sarlat. Please see the websites below for more information.

Trainline.com: https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times
TGV: https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv

Plane: One of the easiest options would be to fly into Bordeaux and then catch the train from there to Sarlat. There are many airlines that fly from Paris to Bordeaux. Below are possible websites that provide a number of different carriers to choose from.

https://www.kayak.com/flights
www.google.com/flights

WALKING

What’s important is to optimise your time whilst you are in the region. We transfer you almost every day to avoid out-and-back walks and to let you discover more of the Dordogne region at your own pace. The terrain is hilly, but not mountainous, with lots of chestnut & oak forests, and typical farm animals like cattle, sheep and goats. The walks are not technically difficult as there is not much elevation, so the walks are fairly easy, but we still offer shorter options for those who want easier days.

The walk is moderate with some long days if you wish. There are options to shorten the walk on all of the long days. Full-day walks average about 18 km with 5 –6. hours walking each day. The walking is over mostly flat well-maintained paths through the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne region. Please assess your walking capability in the context of how many kilometres each day is walked to assess whether this walk is suitable for you. Walkers have let us know that our assessment of the walk as moderate is accurate but their level of fitness may not be equivalent to your fitness level.

This is a beautiful area with many fabulous historic attractions on top of the fabulous walking routes. We highly recommend that you incorporate some extra time after the walk to rest and immerse yourself in the region.

For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice in our FAQ section.

WEATHER

From March the temperature begins to rise so be prepared for warmer days if you walk in June (summer). The walk is not offered in winter as the accommodations close and the conditions are not pleasant or perhaps even safe in the mountains. Shoulder season is by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of having fewer people around in the villages and towns (we walk away from the people on the walk so crowds are never an issue.)

See the weather information at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

Map

MAP

Departure Dates

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    PER PERSON
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 15 Nov 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2995

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1035
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 15 Nov 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $3795

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $2255
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 11 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $3115

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1075
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $3945

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $2345
    BOOK NOW
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