Lot & the Dordogne Valley – Independent
This trip starts in Rocamadour, a spectacular cliffside town. From here, walk across meadows and wide valleys, carved out by the Dordogne, Lot and Célé rivers, and limestone plateaux (known as ‘causses’), cut through by wild gorges and astonishing cave systems.
Along the way, stay in traditional peasant villages, rated some of the prettiest in France with remarkable medieval architecture, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. The rich cuisine of this region is an absolute treat, considered to be the finest in the country. Whether you choose to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant or eat more simple fare at a local brasserie, there is a culinary reward awaiting you at the end of each day’s walk.
In spring there are wonderful flowers, particularly orchids in April and May, as well as nesting birds in the dramatic cliffs over the river. In Autumn the changing colours of the forests can be superb.
Duration: 8 days
Itinerary
Time to explore Rocamadour, a Unesco-listed medieval pilgrimage site perched 120 metres above a canyon. Accommodation in a family-run hotel in the town centre or upgrade to stay in a renovated 15th-century mansion.
A spectacularly situated town, medieval pilgrimage centre and Unesco world heritage site, tucked under a cliff in the deep canyon of the Alzou stream. Stroll the fortified village, packed with interesting buildings, then climb the grand staircase to the Ecclesiastical City at the top with its many chapels and basilica built into the rock face, including the miraculous Chapel of the Black Virgin.
A charming hotel with traditional character
Elegant hotel nestled in the heart of the medieval city
Delightful optional circular walk leading up and along a limestone plateau, through ancient pastures bordered by drystone walls, and past a wonderful look-out point, before returning via the green, fertile valley of the Alzou, with its four ruined water mills (9 miles, 4 hours).
A charming hotel with traditional character
The hotel has an excellent restaurant!
Follow the gorge to Lacave with its extensive cave system (8.4 miles, 4 hours). Stay in a 4-star countryhouse outside the village (15-minute walk) with dinner included at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
Aside from the charming village, the main attraction here is the cave system. Accessed via a small train and lift, discover an underground world, decorated with fantastic stalagmites and stalactites. Your hotel, Le Pont de L’Ouysse, is a 15-minute walk from the village, on the banks of the Ouysse and below the Belcastel château. A delightful place to pause and relax, with gardens, heated pool, jacuzzi and gourmet restaurant.
Set on the banks of the river Ouysse in a tranquil setting
Follow farm tracks up to the village of Mayrinhac, then descend to Meyronne and your château hotel with valley views and pool (8.9 or 9.6 miles, 4 to 4.5 hours).
Once a busy port, this tiny village, with its typical old houses, lies in a beautiful setting along the Dordogne River. Stay in La Terrasse, a hotel built into the remains of the château and featuring lovely elements of the old castle alongside a beautiful terrace and pool with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Chateau hotel with valley views and pool
Upgrade rooms are suites
Paths lead through farmland and woods above the river before descending to Carennac and your comfortable, family-run B&B. This is a village of traditional stone houses clustered around a medieval priory on the banks of the Dordogne (14.3 miles, 6.5 hours).
This is one of the most attractive spots on the route. Picturesque medieval houses with brown roof tiles huddle around a 10th-century Romanesque priory. Apart from the priory, visit the church, the castle housing an exhibition on the town’s history or stroll the charming streets.
Comfortable, family-run B+B with pool and restaurant
Walk up from the river to Loubressac, a quintessential medieval village with a jumble of pointed tiled roofs and views of the imposing Château de Castelnau. Optional longer route via the Gouffre de Padirac, a 300ft deep chasm, with a boat ride through caves, along an underground river (7.4, 8.9 or 10 miles, 3.5 to 5 hours). Modern 2-star hotel with views or upgrade to a 3-star hotel with pool.
This medieval fortified town sits on a rocky spur, commanding the left bank of the river Bave. More delightful architecture adorned with colourful window boxes – a blissful place to stroll around with numerous views of the St. Céré valley.
‘Hotel de Charme’ – with wonderful views
Modern hotel with outdoor pool
Walk along paths overlooking the 'Cirque d’Autoire' - dramatic cliffs that edge the causses - to the Château de Montal and St Céré, a bustling medieval market town (7.4, 10.1 or 11.8 miles, 3.5 to 5.5 hours). Stay in a modern 3-star hotel opposite the Château de Montal (1.6 miles from St Céré) with Michelin-starred restaurant.
A market town overlooked by twin medieval towers and with townhouses dating as far back as the 15th century, many retaining their original wooden, corbelled fronts. Perhaps coincide your stay here with the annual summer opera festival. The hotel here, Les Trois Soleils de Montal, is situated a short distance from St Céré, opposite the Chateau Montal, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and close to a 9-hole golf course.
Modern hotel with pool and Guide Michelin restaurant (Michelin* held for over 25 years!)
Upgrade room option
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Easy to moderate. The length of each day varies from 3.5 hours to a maximum of 6.5 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests.
Terrain: The walking is through woods and farmland, across the riverbed of the gorges and across the cliff tops. The paths are tracks, some of them beside the Ouysse River, and grassy lanes. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Easy to moderate. The length of each day varies from 3.5 hours to a maximum of 6.5 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing or rests.
Terrain: The walking is through woods and farmland, across the riverbed of the gorges and across the cliff tops. The paths are tracks, some of them beside the Ouysse River, and grassy lanes. On certain days the walk takes you into the hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support.
All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.
The following activities are available locally
This is a wonderful area offering additional local experiences - some can be booked to fit in with your chosen itinerary, whilst for others you may wish to customise your trip to have an extra leisurely day or two to enjoy.
Additional activities are paid for locally and can be booked via your Route Manager who will contact you 2 weeks prior to departure. Your Route Manager can also book any required taxis on your behalf.
Birds of Prey experience in Rocamadour. Ornithological park with raptor and parrot shows (open May to September). Costs 12€/person (tickets can only be purchased on site)
Caves visits:
La Grotte Préhistorique des Merveilles, in Rocamadour (closed Fridays) with cave paintings dating back 22,000+ years. Costs 9.5€/person
Les Grottes de Lacave, in Lacave, discover an underground world of stalagmites and stalactities. Costs 13.5€/person
Le Gouffre de Padirac, en route to Loubressac. Descend a 300ft deep chasm, with a boat ride through caves, along an underground river. Costs 23€/person
Canoeing / Kayaking: Take a taxi from Lacave to nearby Souillac and spend a day on the water and paddle through the magnificent nature of the Dordogne for either 9km / 18km or a full day's 28km. Great for birding, past wild cliffs, gorges and lovely swimming spots.
- Canoe from 22€/person, kayak from 26€/person
- The canoe company's bus will take you from Souillac to the start of the Canoe trip at 9.30am or 11am.
- Water tight containers provided for your belongings.
Château visit: Visit the Château de Montal, a jewel of French Renaissance just outside St Céré, discover the history and architecture of the château and explore its gardens. Costs 9€/person
Museum visit: Visit the Jean Lurçat Tapestry Museum Workshop, housed in the castle of Saint-Laurent-les-Tours in St Céré. Jean Lurçat is recognized as the great craftsman of the renaissance of tapestry in the twentieth century. Costs 4€/person
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
The Dordogne has been my home for over a decade. When I walk through the Dordogne valley, passing the world-class prehistoric sites and stunning medieval castles, a sensation of travelling back in time and witnessing our human history first-hand overcomes me to this day. I love sharing my passion for this beautiful corner of the world and look forward to welcoming you here.
“She (Route Manager) was terrific!! Attentive, informative, knowledgeable and delightful!”
“Michela was exceptional. Her expertise and commitment made the difference between a good and outstanding experience - especially when the weather was intermittently wet and we were unsure about how much we could walk.”
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
You can expect each hotel to be one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, with the character and sometimes the standard varying from place to place.
Star ratings indicate official classification, although many delightful places have no star rating. In more remote areas hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.
Single travellers are accommodated in double rooms for single occupancy for a supplemental charge.
On this route, upgraded accommodation is available at some overnight stops, as specified on the itinerary.
Breakfast is included and there are suggestions in the Route Book about where to buy provisions for a picnic lunch, as well as restaurant recommendations. Dining options often include a choice of restaurants that can be pre-booked for you by your Route Manager.
Food & Wine
The region has a reputation for extremely fine food, with several Michelin-starred restaurants en route. Dishes tend to be rich, using mainly local products. Expect a variety of poultry on the menu including confits (poultry preserved in fat) or poultry stuffed with succulent livers, chestnuts and truffles. The region is famed for its pâtés particularly the delicious (but controversial) goose liver pâté, foie gras. Also look out for Quercy lamb, AOC Rocamadour goats cheese and Quercy melon. The local wines perfectly complement both the heartier as well as the finer dishes. The dark reds from the regional capital, Cahors, and the reds and whites of the Bergerac vineyards being the best known. The Route Book contains a section on the cuisine and wines of the region, and a list of recommended restaurants en route.
History
The Lot départment is part of the Occitanie region of south-west France, whose history has been defined by its causses (limestone plateaux), through which the Lot, Dordogne and Célé rivers have carved their paths. Before the French Revolution the Lot was referred to as ‘Quercy’ and you will still today find many references to ‘Quercy’ traditions and foods. The Route Book provides a detailed account of the history of the Lot and Dordogne.
Flora & Fauna
The causses have relatively sparse vegetation while the valleys are filled with oak, wild cherry, wild plum, poplars and willow. In spring, expect meadows and hedgerows thick with wildflowers (including orchids), and an abundance of birds and butterflies. Many birds nest in the dramatic cliffsides along the River Dordogne and there is no shortage of fish in the wide, meandering rivers below. In the woods you may come across wild boar, pheasants, deer, partridge and quail. Our Route Book provides further detail while apps such as ‘LeafSnap’, ‘Flora Incognita’ and child-friendly ‘Seek by iNaturalist’ can identify the wildlife en route.
Travel Arrangements
Travel arrangements, including flights, for ATG Independent Footloose trips should be made independently.
Outward travel to Rocamadour: There are direct trains from the central railway stations in Paris, Brive and Rodez to Rocamadour-Padirac. From here it is a short taxi ride to the first hotel. From Toulouse there are indirect trains via Figeac, and from Limoges there are indirect trains via Brive.
Return travel from St Céré: Take a taxi to the nearest railway stations at either Gramat or Bretenoux-Biars, from where there are onward trains to Paris (via Brive), Brive, Rodez, Limoges (via Brive) and Toulouse (via Figeac).
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour in the Dordogne starts with 2 nights in Unesco listed Rocamadour and offers 5 days walking and 1 optional walk. Stay in pretty villages and discover gorges, cave systems and the gastronomy of this unique area of France.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rocamadour*
Day 2: Rocamadour* - free day
Day 3: Rocamadour to Lacave
Day 4: Lacave to Meyronne*
Day 5: Meyronne to Carennac
Day 6: Carennac to Loubressac*
Day 7: Loubressac to St Céré*
Day 8: Departure day
*The upgrade price option includes upgrades at these locations
Prices (per person)
Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.
If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.
The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.
You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.
Tourist Tax
This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
Your Route Manager will be able to tell you about the ATG Trust project on this route to restore the Four de Py Bread Oven; this is a small building of remarkable heritage, the project was to restore the existing building to its original traditional character.
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