Paths to Rocamadour – Independent
Starting in the very heart of the Black Périgord, an exceptionally scenic area of the Dordogne, walk through meadows and wide valleys carved out by the winding waters of the River Dordogne, which also offers swimming opportunities.
Then cross into the Lot and walk on over 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. Rocamadour makes for a spectacular finish, its historic buildings seemingly suspended above the gorge below. The rich cuisine of this region is an absolute treat, considered to be the finest in the country.
In spring there are wonderful flowers, particularly orchids in April and May, as well as nesting birds in the dramatic cliffs over the river. The changing colours of the mixed forests in Autumn can be superb.
Duration: 5 or 8 days
Itinerary
Arrive in Sarlat-la-Canéda. Take an optional sightseeing walk of this attractive market town in the heart of Périgord Noir, with its narrow medieval and Renaissance streets. Sarlat has the highest concentration of historical monuments in all of France. NB Market days: Wednesdays and Saturdays. 3-star and 4-star (upgrade) hotel options, both with pool facilities.
Beautifully preserved market town surrounded by wooded hills, with narrow medieval streets and restored Gothic and Renaissance town houses. Try to visit the Saturday market if you can – it’s one of the best in the region, filling the streets of the old town. On Saturday mornings in October there is also a walnut and chestnut market.
Spacious, airy hotel with pool and garden.
Situated in the heart of the historic centre, with pool and spa.
Walk from the valley up into low hills with fertile farmland, before descending to the Dordogne Valley and Carsac-Aillac (Standard hotel: 9.3 miles, 5 hours / Upgrade hotel: 11.3 miles, 5.5 hours). Family-run B&B with pool or 4-star converted farmhouse with pool (upgrade).
Tiny, charming village in a peaceful setting with a pretty Romanesque church. In the summer months, visit the water gardens of Jardins d’Eau de Carsac, featuring tiered ponds, water lilies and lotus flowers.
Family-run B&B with lovely garden and pool.
Converted farmhouse in idyllic setting with pool.
Paths and tracks along the valley bring you to Rouffillac before continuing on to Carlux (8.1 miles, 4 hours / 7.5 miles, 3.5 hours from upgrade accommodation); or via the Château de Fenelon – 12.7 miles, 6 hours / 11.6 miles, 5.5 hours from upgrade accommodation). Stay in a simple hotel in the village of Carlux.
A pretty, traditional Périgord village which has retained its medieval appearance with its charming stone houses. The village is dominated by the ruined castle dating back to 12C where you can visit the inner courtyard and keep. There is a 14C church and a 'Sarrazin chimney' which was lit during times of epidemics to warn visitors to keep away!
Simple, welcoming hotel with valley views
Paths across the hills, with farm and woodland tracks and views of the Dordogne Valley, bring you to the market town of Souillac. Stay in a historic 3-star hotel in the old town, close to the fine 11-12th century Benedictine Abbey church (10.3 – 11.2 miles, 5-6 hrs).
Picturesque, medieval town with 12th century abbey adorned with Romanesque sculptures. There are wonderful street markets throughout the old town on Fridays, as well as a ‘gourmet’ market on Wednesday evenings in high season. In July there is an excellent jazz festival with atmospheric performances held outside the abbey.
A charming 16th Century building in the heart of the city centre
Paths through farmland and woods lead across low hills, then back down to the River Dordogne. At its confluence point with the River Ouysse is the small village of Lacave, with its impressive cave system - visited on a small electric train for the first 400 metres, then explored on foot. Stay just outside Lacave in a 4-star riverside hotel with Michelin Star restaurant (7.3 miles, 3.5 hrs).
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 stalactities. Your hotel, Le Pont de L’Ouysse, is a 15-minute walk from the village, set in an idyllic spot on the banks of the Ouysse. This is 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
Following the resurgent River Ouysse, good paths and tracks lead through dramatic limestone gorges and the causse of Quercy. Look out for birds of prey wheeling high overhead. The day finishes in historic, cliff-side Rocamadour (8.4 miles, 4 hrs) with accommodation in a charming 2-star hotel or upgrade to 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
Time to visit the medieval monastic complex high on the cliff, its churches and sanctuary with its famous Black Madonna. Optional circular walk along wooded paths and tracks across hills of the causse to the Moulin du Saut, a ruined 18th-century mill, returning through the valley of the Gorge d'Alzou. (9 miles, 4.5 hrs)
A charming hotel with traditional character
The hotel has an excellent restaurant!
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Walking: Easy to moderate. The walk lengths vary from 3.5 hours to a maximum of 9 hours walking, with most days averaging 4-5 hours of 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: Low hills with valley views, limestone gorges, farm and woodland paths and tracks, a section of disused rail track, quiet country lanes and gravel roads.
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 walk lengths vary from 3.5 hours to a maximum of 9 hours walking, with most days averaging 4-5 hours of 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: Low hills with valley views, limestone gorges, farm and woodland paths and tracks, a section of disused rail track, quiet country lanes and gravel roads.
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.
Gardens Visits:
Les Jardins d’Eau (Water Gardens) at Carsac. Costs 8€/person
Les Jardins de Cadiot at Carlux with 10 gardens to explore (open May to September). Costs 8€/person
Canoeing/Kayaking: 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.
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:
Les Grottes de Lacave, in Lacave, discover an underground world of stalagmites and stalactities. Costs 13.5€/person
La Grotte Préhistorique des Merveilles, in Rocamadour (closed Fridays) with cave paintings dating back 22,000+ years. Costs 9.5€/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 (Route Manager) 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. 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 Dordogne is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It is better known for its prehistory than its later history. Finds in this region date mostly from the Palaeolithic Age – about two million to ten thousand years ago. Human skeletons have been found here upon which theories about the stages of man’s evolution have been based. Other skeletons have been discovered of animals that no longer exist in Europe such as lions, tigers, elephants and rhinoceros, as well as extinct animals such as mammoths. 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 Dordogne.
Flora & Fauna
In spring, the meadows and hedgerows of the Dordogne are thick with wildflowers (including orchids), as well as 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 waters below. In the woods you may come across wild boar, pheasants, deer, partridge and quail. The causses of the Lot region have relatively sparse vegetation while the valleys are filled with oak, wild cherry, wild plum, poplars and willow. 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 Sarlat-la-Canéda: From Brive airport there are no public transport links so we recommend getting a taxi direct to Sarlat (40km). From Bergerac and Bordeaux you will need to get to the central station in town (taxi from Bergerac airport, shuttle bus from Bordeaux airport). From there you can catch a train to Sarlat.
Outward travel to Souillac: As above from Bergerac and Bordeaux, then take an onward taxi from Sarlat to Souillac (35 mins). From Brive airport, take a taxi direct to Souillac.
Return travel from Rocamadour: Take a taxi to Brive airport direct (45 mins) or a taxi to Rocamadour-Padirac station (10 mins) and a train to Brive from there. For Rodez or Limoges airports, you will also need to get a taxi to Rocamadour-Padirac station (10 mins) and an onward train from there to your city of departure. For Bergerac airport, take a taxi to the station in Sarlat (50 mins) and an onward train from there. For Toulouse airport, take a taxi to the station in Souillac (30 mins) and an onward train from there.
Trip Options & Prices
Overview
This 5 day independent walking tour in the Dordogne starts in the picturesque town of Souillac. The trip includes 3 walks, each around 4 hours in length which gives ample time to explore the caves at Lacave and, of course, Unesco listed Rocamadour. A short break in France combining scenic walking, nature, some fine culture and rich cuisine.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Souillac
Day 2: Souillac to Lacave
Day 3: Lacave to Rocamadour*
Day 4: Rocamadour* - free day
Day 5: Departure
*The upgrade price option includes an upgrade in Rocamadour
Prices (per person)
Overview
This 8 day independent walking tour in the Dordogne is a more in-depth visit of the area. Starting in the very heart of Périgord Noir at Sarlat-la-Canéda, this trip offers 3 additional walks before joining up with the 5 day itinerary to continue on to Rocamadour. Enjoy a longer trip to France with more walking and the opportunity to explore the delights of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sarlat-la-Canéda*
Day 2: Sarlat-la-Canéda to Carsac-Aillac*
Day 3: Carsac-Aillac to Carlux
Day 4: Carlux to Souillac
Day 5: Souillac to Lacave
Day 6: Lacave to Rocamadour*
Day 7: Rocamadour* - free day
Day 8: Departure
*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.
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