Overview
A week of walking in the Dordogne, staying in three locally-owned hotels and guesthouses, with a strong emphasis on local, fine food. This is an easy to moderate trip, walking between three to four hours every day, ranging from riverfront to forested trails on the Périgord plateau. This carefully crafted itinerary takes you through some of the region’s most exquisite ancient villages, such as Montferrand and Monpazier, as well ancient cultural sites such as the Cistern Abbey of Cadouin and 12-century Château Biron. This wonderfully relaxing walking holiday is also reachable by train.
- Périgord countryside
- Montferrand, Monpazier, Molieres
- Cistern Abbey of Cadouin
- Château de Biron
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Badefols-sur-Dordogne
Check into your charming hotel, right on the banks of the Dordogne where you have time to enjoy its elegant garden or a stroll along the Dordogne. After checking in, you may wish to sit in the hotel’s garden and enjoy the sunset over the river. You will want to build up an appetite, as dinner promises to be superb at your hotel, all included.
- Accomodation: Hotel Cote Rivage or similar in Badefols-sur-Dordogne
Day 2: Circular walk from Badefols-sur-Dordogne | 16km
Start straight out of the hotel and walk along the high and wooded south bank, toward the village of Calès. Then follow the varied terrain around Calès, following the elevated bank of the Dordogne. Back at the same hotel, enjoy relaxing in the garden with an apéritif, or a quick game of tennis before cooling down with a local Monbazillac wine.
- Walking for the day: 16km
- Accomodation: Hotel Cote Rivage or similar in Badefols-sur-Dordogne
Day 3: Badefols-sur-Dordogne to Cadouin | 13km
A relaxing walk from Badefols-sur-Dordogne to the medieval village of Cadouin, built around a 12th-century Cistercian Abbey. First ,stroll through the deciduous forests full of oaks, chestnuts and beech trees. In spring, wildflowers are abundant including several species of orchids. In autumn, there’s a palette of yellow, red and golden colours as the leaves turn and wild berries and nuts become abundant. Halfway through the route you come to Molieres, a small bastide town, perfect for a lunch stop. Towards the end of the day, walk through Forêt de Bessadois to the B&B, a restored rectory and former police station in Cadioun.
- Walking for the day: 13km
- Accomodation: La Salvetat de Cadouin or similar in Cadouin
Day 4: Circular walk from Cadouin | 13km
Today has been left free to do as much or as little as you like. You may choose to spend your time relaxing on the terrace or visit the nearby 12th-century Cistercian Abbey. Alternatively, you can take on a 13km walk through nearby woodland. Tonight you can choose a place for dinner from among the fine local restaurants in the village.
- Walking for the day: 13km
- Accomodation: La Salvetat de Cadouin or similar in Cadouin
Day 5: Montferrand-du-Périgord to Monpazier | 15km
Transfer to the picturesque village of Montferrand-du-Périgord. Today’s route is a beautiful and varied trek along narrow trails through undulating wheat fields, woodlands that are home to roe deer and wild boar and past some impressive farmhouses. Your day ends at the small 13th-century village of Monpazier. Built by Edward I, it was also home to Richard II for a time and is categorised as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Your accommodation for the next two nights is in a 19th-century château on the edge of the village. Once again, the dinners served at this hotel are magnifique.
- Walking for the day: 15km
- Accommodation: Hotel Edward I or similar in Monpazier
Day 6: Circular walk from Monpazier | 13-18km
Your last day of walking might be the most beautiful route of the programme: a walking tour to Château Biron with an optional visit. This is a day of walking in quintessential Périgord landscapes, with a fine farewell dinner served in the gardens of the hotel, weather permitting.
- Accommodation: Hotel Edward I or similar in Monpazier
- Walking for the day: 13-18km
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast your trip comes to an end.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view standard hotels
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts and four dinners are included. Lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you may be able pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel, and there is no shortage of other cafes and restaurants en route.
Difficulty and terrain
Daily walks are between three and four hours. Daily walks are a mixture of country paths and forest trails. (read more about difficulty grades) The trails are generally easy to follow. Some of the routes on this walk are not way-marked, but we will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from April – October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The closest airports for this tour are Bergerac, Toulouse-Blagnac and Bourdeaux-Merignac.
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Bergerac and Toulouse. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF Connect.
Arrival in Badefols-sur-Dordogne: From Bergerac airport or railway station, you will need to arrange a taxi to Badefols-sur-Dordogne. We can arrange a transfer from Bergerac upon request.
Departure from Monpazier: You can take a taxi transfer from your last accommodation, in Monpazier, to the train station in Belvès (this service is included in your arrangement). You can then take a train from Belvès to Bergerac with connection in Le Buisson (2h). You will then need to take a taxi from the train station in Bergerac to Bergerac airport (6km).
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- 4 dinners
- Luggage transport (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Transfer on day 4
- Detailed digital information pack, route notes and maps with tracks (Please note, that the information pack for this tour is digital only and will be emailed to you prior to departure. Physical documents are NOT able to be mailed or provided on-site)
- 24/7 phone support
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners not mention in the program
- Drinks and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Additional transfers
- Tourist tax
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the itinerary
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
- Optional hotel upgrades
- Optional transfers
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