The Gouffre de Padirac and its surroundings

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This day hike allows you to discover the Gouffre de Padirac and the listed villages of Loubressac and Autoire. From the promontory, you can enjoy a splendid view of the valley.

Details

n°1790253
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.15 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,624 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,647 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,371 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 558 ft
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Photos

the Château des Anglais
loubersac
autoire waterfall
autoire waterfall

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the rear of the Gouffre de Padirac.

(S/E) Head north, then turn immediately right and continue straight on until you reach a junction where the route meets theGR®®652(marked with red and white signs).

(1) Go straight on. Pass the Croix Hélène and carry on to the small road. Follow this road to the right.

(2) Cross the D14 to take the path opposite, which leads to the Route du Rouquet.

(3) Turn left and head towards the village of Loubressac. Walk past the Town Hall, cross the Place du Foirail, turn left then right into Rue du Bourg. Then turn right into Rue du Château, walk past the castle and the church before joining theGR®® behind the cemetery.

(4) Cross the Longueviole (stream) – a tributary of the Bave

(5) Carry on straight ahead and head down to Bolivaria, which you’ll pass by.

(6) At the crossroads, leave theGR®® and take the orange-marked bridle path opposite, running alongside the field of walnut trees. Follow the path uphill and take the track between the dry stone walls.
At the end of this path, turn left onto the track that descends the cliff face to Autoire (yellow markings). Take care on the descent to ensure you take the path on the right marked in yellow. You’ll emerge onto the D135 (Route de Saint-Céré à Lapoujade) at Taillefer.

(7) Follow the road to the right, then turn right again to join the D38, where you’ll rejoin the GR®. Turn right once more. Walk a few dozen metres, then veer right to reach the Romanesque church.

(8) Return to the D38, turn right, then right again towards Merlet. Do not follow the sign for the waterfall. Cross a small bridge, then turn left beneath the cliffs.
Take the path that climbs to the right towards the Château des Anglais. Climb up the cliff.

(9) At the fork in the path, beneath the rock, turn right to see the castle ruins, then turn back and continue straight on to the steps. Climb the steps and turn left towards Siran.

(10) Once in the hamlet, turn right, then turn left at the first junction and join the road.

(11) Turn right onto the road and take theGR®® on the left a few metres further on. Follow the signposts to the memorial stone (the IGN route is incorrect here).

(12) Keep the path straight ahead and follow it until you reach the Gouffre de Padirac car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,165 ft - Car park at the - Gouffre de Padirac
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 1,165 ft - GR® junction, straight ahead
  3. 2 : mi 1.87 - alt. 1,109 ft - Crossing the D14
  4. 3 : mi 2.56 - alt. 1,145 ft - Route du Rouquet, on the left
  5. 4 : mi 3.81 - alt. 607 ft - Longueviole (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Bave
  6. 5 : mi 4.7 - alt. 994 ft - Loubressac viewpoint
  7. 6 : mi 4.99 - alt. 984 ft - Crossroads, end of the GR
  8. 7 : mi 5.86 - alt. 558 ft - Taillefer, turn right
  9. 8 : mi 6.02 - alt. 610 ft - Église Saint-Pierre (Autoire)
  10. 9 : mi 6.88 - alt. 1,017 ft - Junction - Château des Anglais
  11. 10 : mi 7.49 - alt. 1,148 ft - Siran
  12. 11 : mi 7.84 - alt. 1,188 ft - Road, on the right
  13. 12 : mi 9.12 - alt. 1,309 ft - Memorial stone
  14. S/E : mi 11.15 - alt. 1,161 ft - Gouffre de Padirac car park

Worth a visit

Visit the Gouffre de Padirac, which is approximately 35 metres in diameter. At the bottom of this chasm, 103 metres below the surface, flows an underground river that forms part of a vast network stretching over 55 kilometres.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Maryse DRITSAS
Maryse DRITSAS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There were a few moments of confusion in Loubressac regarding the signposting.
Otherwise, a lovely route, interesting and not very busy.

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Marie-therese arsuffi
Marie-therese arsuffi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, the Autoire waterfall is a must-see, and you can join the trail via the small footbridge at the foot of the waterfall
The return trip is a bit long
The villages are all beautiful
the climb up to the English castle is a bit challenging
However, there are slippery stones along the route, so walking sticks are recommended
thank you for this suggestion

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Bertrand648
Bertrand648

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route starting from the Padirac chasm. Beautiful view of Loubressac, especially after passing through the village following the route. In Autoire, you can go directly to the waterfall without passing by the Château des Anglais; follow the signs for "cascade" and then climb back up to the plateau either via the Château des Anglais or directly. The return to Padirac via a long path is less pleasant. Worth doing nonetheless.

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Pierrette.L
Pierrette.L

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I had difficulty finding the starting point. Then, in Loubressac, I wasn't sure I was on the right path

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VALOMA
VALOMA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery of the villages of Autoire and Loubressac

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waki89
waki89

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful landscapes and wonderful discoveries in these villages

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Pasin
Pasin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route combining bucolic trails and passages through beautiful villages in the Lot region.

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Flore46
Flore46
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike with varied landscapes, the superb Autoire waterfall and the very pretty villages of Loubressac and Autoire. The views over the valley are stunning.
Please note that during the high season, there is a charge for parking at the Gouffre de Padirac (starting point of the hike). We parked a little further away.
Please note that there are two drinking water points with toilets and small cafés and restaurants (in season) in Loubressac and then Autoire.
Feel free to leave the trail for a few minutes to stroll through the narrow streets of the two villages.
The route does not take you exactly to the foot of the waterfall or to the Château des Anglais, but don't hesitate to continue on to both. It is very well signposted and only adds a few hundred metres to the walk, which is well worth the detour.
Please note that the waterfall site is currently undergoing renaturation, so you will not be able to swim in the waterfall or the stream.
three difficulties if you are not experienced hikers:
. A steep descent of several hundred metres on a stony path towards Autoire
. A steep climb of about 600 metres on stony and rocky paths, in the sun in the early part of the day
. Passages, particularly uphill and downhill, along the cliff edge with a drop below, 2 metal staircases above the drop to cross, be careful if you suffer from vertigo.
If you stick to the route, the walking time indicated is generous; it took us about 3 hours and 45 minutes, not including stops. But allow a whole day so you can enjoy the waterfall, the view from the Château des Anglais, the two villages and, why not, visit the Siran farm on the way.
The first 3 kilometres from Padirac to Loubressac are along pretty limestone paths lined with dry stone walls.
However, the last 4 kilometres, after the Siran farm to Padirac, are of no interest. They are on a flat, almost straight, stony track in full sun, running alongside a field of solar panels for much of the way. It's neither beautiful nor ugly, this part is just there to complete the loop.

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Elo1733
Elo1733
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for the great route!
I did the hike as described and luckily I couldn't have done the section between the Château des Anglais and the Autoire waterfall on the way down (I'm afraid of heights).
A very nice discovery of the villages of Loubressac and Autoire, with lovely views at several points along the route.
Perhaps it would be worth mentioning that the waterfall is easily accessible by following the route rather than the signs?
The last section is a bit long (and not very shaded) but overall, this route is very pleasant!

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Hello,

You clearly didn't enjoy the hike, which is not in line with previous reviews.
You seem to know the area well.
Why not suggest a hike that you find more interesting?
Best regards

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sagnouss
sagnouss

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Sorry for those who posted this route, but out of the 16 km, 12 are completely uninteresting!
Skip Padirac/Loubressac, get off the route at Autoire and enjoy it to the fullest. Siran/Padirac is long, flat, straight and boring!
In short, leave Loubressac, go down to Autoire, do all the things to see (waterfall, ridges, English castle) and then head back!

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stchat
stchat

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We parked at the Siren car park to admire the waterfall and the magnificent landscape overlooking Autoire from the top of the cliff. We did the circuit backwards, starting at point 10 so that we could visit Autoire first thing in the morning when it's quieter. Follow the GPS route carefully from the start so you don't miss the steps that lead down to the path to Autoire.
After that, there is a steep climb, which is best done before lunch. After that, the path climbs gently. Loubressac is a beautiful village.
The return journey after Padirac is a bit monotonous, but it's a beautiful ride.

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trantole
trantole

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery of the villages of Loubressac and Autoire
You can walk to the foot of the waterfall between points 7 and 8, it's well worth the detour
the first panorama overlooks the waterfall and the second overlooks Autoire
The return trip is a bit long on a rocky trail.
A very beautiful hike

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jean michel Bzdzinck
jean michel Bzdzinck

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery of the villages of Loubressac and Autoire + the Château des Anglais, superb panoramic views, although the return journey is a little monotonous on the track. No problems with the route using the GPS on my phone.

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Adeloumi
Adeloumi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views. The crossings at Autoire and Loubressac quickly make you forget the two monotonous tracks.

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Other walks in the area

Walking The Cirque de l'Autoire via the waterfall

Visorando Member
Le Cirque de l'Autoire par la cascade
↔6.03 mi ↗+1,368 ft ↘-1,365 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Loubressac (Lot)
A nature trail to admire the remarkable Autoire cirque and its waterfall, not to mention the unique Château des Anglais nestled in the cliff.

Walking Château des Anglais in Autoire

Visorando Member
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↔1.57 mi ↗+528 ft ↘-531 ft ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Loubressac (Lot)
A family walk, fairly shaded, featuring a renovated ruined castle and magnificent views. Stone or metal steps in some places. An easy walk, but a little close to the cliff edge at times.

Walking Circular walk between Autoire and Castelnau-Bretenoux Castle

Visorando Member
Boucle entre Autoire et le Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux
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A rewarding walk offering the chance to discover three remarkable villages: Autoire, Loubressac and the castle village of Castelnau-Bretenoux. The Autoire waterfall is another must-see attraction. The detour via the Château des Anglais is also well worth the trip. There is a great variety of landscapes, ranging from the limestone plateau and its cliffs to the steep-sided Autoire valley, via the broad Bave plain – landscapes dotted with manor houses and traditional architecture of great interest.

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