The Roc circular in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère

For the short route, set off from the car park at the ‘Le Paradis’ campsite (just after point (3)).
For the long route, expect a steep climb at the start as you head towards the “Côte de Jor”.

From the hiking information point at the Montignac Tourist Office, head towards “Les Eyzies” (D706); stay on the D-road until you reach the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, at the signpost near the war memorial.

(S/E) Follow local road 201, which crosses the campsite towards the village exit, then continue straight ahead onto the Voie des 4 Routes. Pass the hairdresser’s and continue for about 600 m until you reach the Stop sign at the Route de la Vallée.

(1) Cross the D706 with care and head uphill opposite. After about a hundred metres, turn left and join the circular route of the Boucle du Roc via the “Côte de Jor” and the hamlet of Chaban. Ignore a path branching off to the right until you reach a road.

(2) Follow it to the left until you reach the second path coming from that direction. Head down this path. Cross a track, then keep to the left until you reach Chaban. Continue through the hamlet, pass a street on your right and carry on to the next junction.

(3) Turn left downhill onto the Impasse du Quau Daval, then carry on straight ahead along the path until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Continue left into the woods towards “la Rebeyrolle” and the Route de la Vallée.

(5) Cross the road (D706) with care and turn onto the communal path opposite (slightly to the left) between the campsite buildings. After passing the centuries-old oak tree, turn right to cross the campsite. Continue to the campsite exit.

(6) After the football pitch, turn left to reach the Vézère. When you reach the riverbank, take the old towpath on the right. After a wide bend to the right, continue until you reach the^second path on the right.

(7) Leave the banks of the Vézère by taking this path. At the D706, turn left, then right at the first path. Carry straight on along the tarmac road as it climbs. Take a moment to look back and catch one last glimpse of the cliffs and the Vézère winding its way between the hills to the south-west. Carry on straight ahead at the first two junctions. The small road passes close to the premises of a Buddhist association before reaching a second Fork in the road.

(8) Turn right onto the limestone path which descends into the forest and rejoins the junction from the outward journey.

(4) Keep to the left and retrace your steps along the same route as on the outward journey (S/E).

For the short version, once on the D706, do not turn into Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère: after 13 km, from the Montignac tourist office, park in the car park opposite Le Paradis campsite. Then follow the route from (5) in the direction indicated and, once you reach (4), keep to the right.

(1) La Salle keep and manor house.

(6) After admiring the Pas du Miroir and La Roque Saint-Christophe on the opposite bank of the Vézère, you’ll arrive at the Maison du Passeur, a small and unique house on the waterfront. La Roque Saint-Christophe.