Hilltop Villages of the Dordogne

What more could you ask for than wonderful French countryside and quaint villages, combined with tasty local French cuisine and optional rest days or loop walks. This walking tour will appeal to those who are looking to escape from city life and travel at a relaxed pace through the hill tops and valleys of the rural Dordogne region.

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This walking tour is graded as Easy to Moderate, with daily walks ranging from 13 to 17 km (8 to 10.5 miles). Some days are longer than others, and there are a few short, steep climbs. Routes follow a mix of country paths and forest trails. The terrain can be uneven underfoot, with stony sections and the occasional overgrown path, so a steady footing is helpful. If you enjoy regular walks and are comfortable on varied ground, this tour will be a rewarding experience.

To get the most out of this trip, you should be a regular walker with a reasonable level of fitness, with confidence walking on varied terrain. Previous experience of walking in the countryside or on woodland trails is beneficial. To prepare, we recommend taking regular walks of similar distance in the weeks leading up to your trip, ideally including some hilly or uneven terrain. Comfortable walking boots and walking poles will also help you feel comfortable and supported.

We specifically select your accommodation in local, family-run 2* hotels, to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in France. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. Some of our accommodation have swimming pools (although not always guaranteed), so remember to take your swimming costume/suit for a relaxing dip at the end of the day!

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This tour is available for solo walkers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone. If you are travelling solo the tour is slightly more expensive as some costs are not shared. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you, a single room supplement payable.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning and 5 dinners are included on Days 1, 3, 5, 6 & 7.  On Days 2 and 4 dinner is not included which gives you the option to choose from one of the many local eateries. You can buy lunch in the village patisserie before you depart each morning, or buy it en route. Your route notes have details for each day including rest stops and places of interest.

Some of the routes on this walk are not way-marked. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• IGN 2136 ET Rocamadour-Padirac
• IGN 2236 O St Céré 

Summer months July and August are likely to have hot days with temperatures rising into the high 20s/low 30s Celsius (80-88' Fahrenheit). We would, therefore, encourage you to travel in spring, early summer and autumn when the temperatures are more pleasant for walking.

If traveling during high summer, please make sure to always carry at least 2L/80oz of water per person, wear sunscreen and a sun hat.

There’s no shortage of historic chateaus/castles and prehistoric caves to visit in Dordogne, and you’ll find many of our favorite Points of Interest already mapped in each day’s hike on the Macs App. Please note: that due to their popularity and limited admission, you’ll want to check your preferred sites for operating hours and advance reservation requirements.

Your first night’s accommodation in Meyssac is approximately 20km/12.5miles from the closest train station at Brive-la-Gaillard. It will cost approximately 45 euros in a taxi to your hotel, and the journey will take around 20 minutes depending on the time of day.

By Air: There is an airport in Brive-la-Gaillard However the choice of flights is limited. There is also an airport in Toulouse which is serviced by many low-cost airlines including Easyjet and Flybe.  Alternatively, you can fly to Paris and take the 4 hour train to Brive-la-Gaillard from here.

By Train: From Toulouse Airport you can take a shuttle bus to the centre and then a train (2hrs 15mins) to Brive-la-Gaillard.

For more information about train times and schedules please visit the SNCF website.  

You can book a taxi to Brive-la-Gaillard (55 mins) and then all onward travel can be taken from there. 

It is also possible to take a less expensive taxi fare to the train station in Puybruns which is a 15 minute ride from Loubressac and then a 2hr 15min train to Brive-la-Gaillarde. However please bear in mind that there are only about 3-4 trains per day. You can ask the hotel to call a taxi or you may contact our local partner who will be able to assist you in booking one for you.

All your belongings will be transferred between accommodation. We do ask you to keep your baggage to one bag per person (maximum weight 20kg/44lbs).