Dordogne Active Holidays | Hike & Bike the Dordogne

The Dordogne

Highlights

Hike through cliff-hugging villages like La Roque-Gageac, one of France's ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages’
Bike quiet lanes past walnut groves & golden Périgord hills
Walk to open-air markets packed with local flavors
Discover prehistoric art at world-famous Lascaux cave
Stay in the sacred and & dramatic cliffside village of Rocamadour
Enjoy flavorful regional cuisine; duck confit, truffles & creme brulée

Hiking and biking in Dordogne (Périgord) deliver an outdoors experience that feels tailor-made for travelers seeking authentic rural France. Medieval villages cling to limestone cliffs, rivers wind through deep-cut valleys, and every bend reveals walnut orchards, apple groves, and storybook hamlets. Whether you prefer peaceful hiking trails or scenic cycling routes, the region rewards you with landscapes that feel unchanged for centuries.

If you love immersive travel - slow exploration, local markets, and a sense of stepping back in time - choose one of our Walking in the Dordogne adventures. These routes guide you through “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France,” such as La Roque-Gageac, and into the heart of the Périgord Noir’s rolling countryside.

Travelers who prefer covering more ground by bike will enjoy our Dordogne Cycling itineraries, which thread between bastide towns, riverside cliffs, and unforgettable prehistoric sites like Lascaux.

With over a decade of expertise and deep local partnerships, we match each traveler with the trip that fits their pace—gentler rambles, moderate hikes, or relaxed cycling days—so you can experience what past guests describe as “heart-renderingly beautiful.” Whether on two feet or two wheels, Dordogne is a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and timeless French charm.

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Our Tour Types

Hiking in Dordogne

Hiking in the Dordogne with Macs Adventure leads you along peaceful river valleys, cliffside villages, and wooded trails that reveal the region’s timeless beauty at every turn. With carefully crafted routes, welcoming accommodations, and expert local support, you can explore medieval France at your own pace - relaxed, immersive, and wonderfully rewarding.

Biking in Dordogne

Cycling the Dordogne with Macs Adventure lets you glide through rolling orchards, medieval bastide towns, and quiet country lanes that showcase the very best of Périgord. With curated routes, reliable luggage transfers, and charming stays, you can enjoy a carefree journey through France’s most atmospheric landscapes.

Discover The Dordogne

Taste the Dordogne
Culinary Highlights of the Dordogne
- Foie Gras: A signature dish of the Dordogne, served in nearly every restaurant. If you’re a meat-lover, this rich delicacy is not to be missed. Vegetarians, don’t worry—there are plenty of other delicious options to enjoy.
- Truffles: The Dordogne is one of the country’s most important truffle centers and tasting them here is as authentic as it gets. Keep an eye out for the “black diamond” – a rare and high demand variety.
- Strawberries: The Périgord IGP boasts seven varieties of these sweet gems. They’re so loved that villages even host strawberry festivals. Try them in a tart, with ice cream, or paired with goat cheese.
- Walnuts: Four varieties, each with its own character, grown here since the days of Cro-Magnon man when they were also used as a form of currency. You’ll find them in salads, pizzas, oils, and even local soaps.
- Cheese: The soft goat’s milk Cabécou is the star, perfect on salads or pizza. Or taste the history in Trappe d’Echourgnac, crafted by monks since 1868.
Exploring the Dordogne on a Macs Adventure isn’t just about the trails. It’s about pausing in a market square, tasting strawberries in season, or discovering your new favorite French cheese with a glass of local wine.
Dordogne Local Markets
One of the joys of hiking or cycling in the Dordogne is wandering through its lively village markets. These aren’t just places to shop; they’re where the community comes together, swapping news over baskets of walnuts, cheeses, truffles, and bottles of Bergerac wine. It’s the perfect chance to slow down, people-watch from a café terrace, and pick up picnic supplies for your day on the trail.

If your travel dates line up with market days, you’re in for a treat. So plan ahead and time your Dordogne hiking or cycling holiday just right to catch a few of these weekly gatherings. And if you’re visiting in summer, look for the night markets, where music, crafts, and food stalls create a festival-like atmosphere.

Weekly Market Days
- Beynac: Monday
- Carsac: Sunday*
- Domme: Thursday
- La Roque Gageac: Friday*
- Les Eyzies: Monday (and Friday evening)
- Sarlat: Wednesday and Saturday
- St Cyprien: Sunday
* Check with the local tourist office, as these aren’t held every week
Seriously Photogenic Villages

The Dordogne Valley has 10 of the Plus Beaux Villages de France! Many of them are on hilltops, from which there are great views of the sparkling and tranquil river below.

Beynac
This remarkable village has steep cobbled lanes and at the top a medieval castle to explore, which has sweeping views across the river plain.

Domme
This bastide village, also on a hill top, is endearingly beautiful. It was founded in 1283. Order a coffee, beer or local glass of wine as you sit on a terrace overlooking the view. You can also wander through its tiny streets and admire its medieval fortifications.

La Roque-Gageac
This village occupies a dramatic setting tucked under ochre-colored cliffs and it's main street parallel to the river. It has a micro-climate due to its south-facing position and you will find palm and banana trees growing here!

Sarlat-Le-Canada
Ok, so this village is technically a town! One of the busier places in the area, but nonetheless a wonderful place to stay or visit, with its honey-colored architecture, secret squares and incredible market.