Sainte-Croix (Dordogne) walks

An easy walk whatever the season, very shaded in summer as it runs through woodland, but still manageable in winter. A gentle, unchallenging climb offering views of a landscape typical of southern Périgord: a small valley, woodland of oak and chestnut trees, a stone house with a traditional Périgord roof, a park with a château (not open to visitors) and a small 12th-century church.

The village of Saint-Avit-Sénieur is built around an old abbey surrounded by rich land and beautiful chestnut groves. There are many hiking trails around the village. This walk is inspired by one of them, but is a little shorter. This means it can easily be done in half a day. The first part follows theGR® trail and takes you through undergrowth and meadows, while the second part mainly follows paved local roads.

A mixed walk (forest paths and small roads) around the bastide town of Monpazier. A complete immersion in the undergrowth and in a countryside that has hardly changed in over 50 years. A truly remote spot. Updated at the request of a local resident, the start of this hike has been moved to Saint-Cassien, near the village church.

A hike starting from the magnificent bastide town of Monpazier in the south of the Périgord Pourpre. Small paths and chestnut tree undergrowth. The walk is quite long, but the elevation gain is low. Enough to spend a very good afternoon (or morning).

A very easy walk around Lake Tourliac, along the Brayssou, a small tributary of the Dropt. Plenty of birds (mallards, teals, wigeons, etc.). It largely follows the contour line along a footpath. As this is a reservoir, the walk is more pleasant in spring, when the lake is full.

This circular loop starting from Naussannes presents virtually no difficulty, apart from a few slightly steep metres. It offers the chance to explore the countryside around this small village, with lovely shaded sections in a well-preserved environment and vegetation typical of the Périgord’s limestone soils. There are some lovely views of the bastide of Beaumont-du-Périgord. Well worth exploring, for example, on a lovely summer’s afternoon.

This route is not particularly "wild", but the natural surroundings here still allow you to find yourself. As a bonus, the superb Château de Bannes will amaze you.

This route has been created by Dordogne Périgord Trail for runners and mountain bikers. Four routes are available starting from Bayac. Route No. 1 is a gentle warm-up for beginners, taking in the majestic Château de Bannes.

This route has been created by Dordogne Périgord Trail for runners and mountain bikers. Four routes are available starting from Bayac. This route allows you to complete Route No. 3 (16 km), and partway along, a circular route of 4 km enables you to complete Route No. 4 (20 km).

This route has been created by Dordogne Périgord Trail for runners and mountain bikers. Four routes are available starting from Bayac. Route No. 2 offers a lovely hike but requires a good level of fitness.

This hike takes you through the hills to the bastide town of Molières, which is well worth a visit for its charm. You will walk through the hamlets along shaded paths and return via the other side overlooking Badefols. Quiet roads and paths follow one another with beautiful panoramic views of the valleys.

Majestic and imposing, Biron Castle perches on a hill, reigning supreme over the surrounding countryside. This landscape of hills, valleys, woods and fields where cows and horses graze is a haven of peace conducive to meditation.

A route starting from Urval, a typical Périgord village, on the left bank of the Dordogne in the Périgord Noir, between Belvès and Le Buisson de Cadouin. A route, mainly through woodland, with little elevation gain and few tarmac sections. Ideal for families. 

Urval is a small, unassuming village on the outskirts of the Bergerac–Sarlat road; there are several walking trails, marked in yellow, which are very interesting. This walk begins with a fairly steep climb at the start, though it is shaded, leading to a magnificent little hamlet at the end, followed by a superb descent with a beautiful view of the valley before climbing up the opposite slope and passing in front of the Château de la Poujade (private); finishing with a descent towards the village with its church and communal bakery (halfway along the route, there is also the option of taking a more direct route to the village of Urval via the road at the bottom of the valley). This route alternates between footpaths and roads with very little traffic, except, in summer, on the section at the bottom of the valley.

The third stage follows the bends of the Dordogne, taking in the villages of Mauzac and Trémolat, before finishing in the village of Limeuil, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Circular starting from Roquépine-Sainte-Radegonde via Saint-Léon d'Issigeac. Lots of countryside, a little forest. A ford to cross in winter. Birdsong. Perhaps a deer. Landscapes everywhere. A few small roads, with almost no cars. And then the ruins of the Moulin de Pincanelle after the Bois de Bayard.

A circular starting from Sainte-Radegonde in Roquepine via Saint-Léon-d'Issigeac. Lots of countryside, a few forests. A ford to cross in winter. Birdsong, a deer, landscapes everywhere. A few small roads, with almost no cars. And then the ruins of the Moulin de Pincanelle after the Bois de Bayard.

This walk starts in a village located on a hill. It takes you along a ridge towards Trémolat, where you can discover the Dordogne river, before reaching the agricultural plain that borders the river. The village's charm and its church overlooking the valley are well worth a visit.

A short, peaceful route through the beautiful landscape of the Dordogne. You will follow a river, pass under a viaduct and cross a forest full of wildlife – a real change of scenery.

A walk through the forest between Monpazier and Villefranche-du-Périgord; very easy on limestone and dirt tracks; very little walking on tarmac roads. Shaded for much of the route, though there may be a few muddy patches in wet weather. Ideal for exploring the forest of southern Périgord.

This walk partly follows the two local routes, allowing you to explore the village from the heights – noting that the houses are built on the hillside – and then down through the valley, with many buildings and points of interest to discover. It is steep for the first 800 metres, but your efforts will be well rewarded.

This hike takes you around the commune and allows you to discover beautiful residences as you walk through remote hamlets. You can enjoy lovely panoramic views. The route leads you away from the urban centre.

Limeuil fait partie des plus beaux villages de France, labellisé en 1990, et témoigne d'un passé exceptionnel. Ruelles escarpées, maisons moyenâgeuses ou vieilles échoppes . Village médiéval de caractère, situé à la jonction des rivières Vézère et Dordogne, Limeuil prend place parmi les joyaux du Périgord.

Limeuil is one of the most beautiful villages in France, awarded this status in 1990, and bears witness to an exceptional past. Steep narrow streets, medieval houses, craft workshops... A medieval village full of character, Limeuil ranks among the jewels of the Périgord, situated at the junction of two rivers: the Vézère and the Dordogne.

The circular Dolmen offers visitors the chance to explore the southern part of the commune of Saint-Chamassy with a short detour to the dolmen known as "Roc del Cayre".

An easy hike starting from the village of Born. Beautiful landscapes as far as the eye can see and few roads. Plains and undergrowth. A ford at the start of the walk with the possibility of crossing without getting your feet wet.

This loop allows you to discover the pretty village of Audrix and see Labatut Castle.

A circular route around the village of Audrix, suitable for families for a pleasant stroll.

From Montaut to Bournel through orchards and woodland, then from Bournel to Montaut-le-Jeune through woodland and the countryside. Finally, to complete the circular route, return to Montaut along a ridge offering beautiful views.