Walking in the Dordogne

The Dordogne is one of France's most beloved regions for good reason. Rolling limestone valleys, dramatic river gorges, medieval bastide towns, Renaissance châteaux, and some of Europe's most significant prehistoric cave art combine to create a walking landscape as rich in history and culture as it is in natural beauty.
With walks suited to all abilities and free of steep ascents or descents, this comprehensive guidebook by Janette Norton, Alan Norton and Pamela Harris covers 35 graded day walks across the Dordogne, ranging from 6 to 19km (4 to 12 miles) and taking between 2 and 6 hours to complete. Clear route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with information on accommodation, facilities, and local plants and wildlife throughout.

35 graded walks are described across four areas, covering Bergerac and the Périgord Pourpre, Lalinde, Sarlat and the Périgord Noir, and the Lot valley around Souillac, with walks taking between 2 and 6 hours
Medieval châteaux, bastide towns and prehistoric cave art feature throughout, including the UNESCO-listed Vézère valley near Les Eyzies, the châteaux of Bridoire, Biron and Milandes, and the bastide towns of Monpazier and Domme
The Lot valley around Souillac delivers some of the most dramatic walking in the guidebook, with routes to Rocamadour, the Gouffre de Padirac and the causses and gorges of Quercy
1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every walk, with route grades, practical access information and waymarking notes so you can plan each outing with confidence
Notes on local history, plants, wildlife and food and drink throughout, alongside a French-English glossary and comprehensive accommodation guidance for the region


Nowhere in France packs as much history, culture and natural beauty into a single walking region as the Dordogne. This guidebook is the perfect companion for exploring it on foot.