The heights of La Roque-Gageac

A short, quick walk starting from La Roque-Gageac through the woodland and away from the crowds during busy periods.
It offers some beautiful views of the circular river bend whilst enjoying plenty of shaded sections.
The final section takes place in the upper part of the village, right at the foot of the cliff, where you can add to the experience by exploring a unique botanical garden situated around the church and the town hall.

Details

29621991
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 131 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 131 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 217 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 77 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is located at the top of the village (on the left when facing the cliff) at the end of Rue Albert Maradene, at a small tarmac-surfaced square.

(S/E) Take the paved path up the hill (yellow markings). After about a hundred metres, at a sharp bend, you’ll reach the first viewpoint over the valley. Then, after a fairly steep, continuous climb, you’ll join a limestone path leading up the hill.

(1) When you reach the highest point of this walk at a place called Les Bouygues, turn right onto the tarmac road, which quickly becomes a dirt track and then a footpath.

(2) At this point, turn right. Alternative route available, see ‘Practical Information’ section.

(3) After skirting the edge of the cliff, return to a street in La Roque-Gageac that winds right at the foot of the cliff, offering some lovely views. Follow this street to reach the finish (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 91 m - At the end of Rue Albert. On the edge of the - Dordogne (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 217 m - Les Bouygues
  3. 2 : km 1.61 - alt. 131 m - La Roque-Gageac / Gageac junction
  4. 3 : km 1.91 - alt. 109 m - Return to the village
  5. S/E : km 2.6 - alt. 91 m - At the end of Rue Albert

Notes

Parking is always a bit tricky; although there is a charge all year round, the public car park is recommended.
There are plenty of bars and shops in the village; however, there are no drinking fountains along the walk.
No major difficulties but fairly steep slopes, so wear shoes that provide good support.
Note that at the end of the walk, you can stroll through the village and enjoy, further down, the plantings of a rather original and unexpected botanical garden for this region.
(2) You can extend the walk slightly by turning left to reach Gageac and then returning via the valley floor towards La Roque, rejoining this route at point (3).

Worth a visit

The village of La Roque-Gageac and, right next to it, the Marqueyssac gardens and, of course, not far away, Sarlat-la-Canéda.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
sisi18
sisi18
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

much of the route through the forest is uninteresting

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Dominou HTD
Dominou HTD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely walk, which we cut short at point 207 by turning left to get back to the starting point more quickly. As soon as you leave the village, there aren’t many people around...!

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alma67
alma67
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went on a lovely walk this morning in the shade of the forest, taking in beautiful views of the cliffs and the river, before passing through the botanical gardens. Well worth doing before sitting down to a lunch of Périgord specialities.

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk that offers a quick taste of the charm of the village of La Roque-Gageac and beautiful views over the Dordogne valley.

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