Ayen walks

Ayen, Saint-Robert, Perpezac-le-Blanc and Segonzac are among the hilltop towns of the Yssandonnais region. Located in the foothills of the Massif Central, they all share a unique geological feature: they are isolated hills with very distinctive flora and fauna that are well worth observing or photographing. Since 2011, these towns have been part of the Vézère-Ardoise region of art and history.

This is a very pleasant walk through the forest, offering exceptional views of the Objat valley at the end of the route.Best done at the weekend to avoid any disturbance from quarrying activities. User comment on 24 August 2025.(!) After the ruins of Patel, the footbridge (4) over the river has collapsed and it is not possible to cross. A diversion is signposted. This takes you towards Rouffignac. Alternatively, you can follow "le chemin du Maquis", which is a little technical in places.

This magnificent trail will allow you to discover part of the Vézère Gorges in a preserved and wild natural setting. Panoramic view of the Brive basin.

In Saint-Mesmin, you can see a church with a magnificent 17th-century altarpiece. Take the Côtes du Batissou trail with views of the Auvezère Gorges to reach the forges and blast furnace at Savignac-Lédrier. You will pass through Bourg Savignac-Lédriers and head towards Saint-Mesmin, passing in front of the Fontaine du Bon Saint-Mesmin fountain, before reaching the Saut Ruban and returning to Saint-Mesmin along the Auvezère tributary.

Feedback from 19/12/2024. Still relevant on 25 August 2025.(!) The route is impassable from La Rechèze due to a crack in the pond's overflow. It is impossible to cross the path, which is closed by municipal order.This beautiful hike will take you to La Chartreuse du Glandier, founded in 1219, known at the time as "Notre-Dame du Glandier", destroyed during the Revolution of 1789 and rebuilt in its current state by the Carthusian monks in 1869.You will also discover the Étang de La Rochèze, built in 1457 to serve as a reservoir for the Canal des Moines (1457).Today it is an institute for people with mental disabilities.

This loop, mainly through woodland, will take you to some of the Périgord Noir's lesser-known châteaux: Saint-Rabier, Rastignac, Larres and Le-Maine. A steep climb will take you to the heights of Larres from Taravellou. The return journey is on a gentler slope through the village of La-Chapelle-Saint-Jean. There is a bit of tarmac at the start and finish, but overall there are far more paths than roads.

An easy walk through the forest ends at Notre-Dame de Fournet, with a beautiful view of the Couze valley. The route also offers a glimpse of Lake Chasteaux.

A beautiful hike covering many kilometres but with little elevation gain. Pleasant paths between low walls and woods, especially after the hamlet of Beauzens. Interesting village, churches, castle, hamlet of Beauzens, stele.

This easy hike will take you along the Canal des Moines in a bucolic, shaded setting, starting from one of the prettiest villages in Corrèze.

A very pleasant hike close to a colossal structure built by the monks of Aubazines in the 12th century. This circuit also allows you to discover a dolmen, a dry stone "village" built by a hermit, the Puy de Pauliac with its orientation table and its cromlech. The Canal aux Moines skilfully follows the curves of the hill for about 1.5 km and feeds a reservoir in the abbey enclosure. In the past, the waterfall was used to power the monastery's watermill.

A short walk around the village of Turenne, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with interesting views of the citadel.

Walk around Collonges-la-Rouge.

Loop around Meyssac and Collonges-La-Rouge to discover the geological fault that has left a deep mark on the ground. Red sandstone to the north and white limestone to the south will take you to the Chaise du Diable (Devil's Chair) where you can rest before diving back into the valley.

This hike takes you up to a higher elevation with a beautiful view of the Vézère River, and also allows you to discover two sites: - La Roque Saint-Christophe, troglodyte dwellings in a limestone cliff one kilometre long and sixty metres high, - and the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Put yourself in the shoes of the Lord of Lasserre and visit his lands between the dairy farm of Pech Mortier and the ruins of the mill on the banks of the Beune, passing by the castle. The return trip is via Marcillac, between fields and forests.