Step into the heart of southwestern France with a small group walking vacation through the Dordogne.
This region is celebrated for its stunning river landscapes, ancient cave art, and unforgettable French cuisine. Perfect for travelers seeking a blend of natural beauty, deep history, and gourmet experiences, this hiking tour in the Dordogne delivers it all.
Carved by the mighty Dordogne River, this landscape is a masterpiece millions of years in the making. It is filled with dramatic gorges, meandering waterways, and storybook medieval villages like Domme, La Roque-Gageac, and Beynac, home to a very imposing 12th-century castle! Every trail leads to something extraordinary: panoramic views, centuries-old stone towns, or secret caves.
This region is also a global treasure trove of prehistoric wonders. You’ll walk in the footsteps of early humans and visit the famed Lascaux IV, a precise replica of the original Stone Age masterpiece. Explore the Font-de-Gaume and the archaeological hub of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, all part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that brings the deep past vividly to life.
And of course, food and wine are at the heart of the Dordogne experience. Enjoy rich dishes made from local truffles, duck, walnuts, and strawberries, paired with tastings from the Bergerac and Monbazillac vineyards. From rustic feasts to refined sips, every meal celebrates the best of French gastronomy.
Cap off your adventure with a peaceful float down the river on a traditional gabare boat, as we toast to a week well-walked with a farewell dinner in beautiful Bergerac.
This walking tour of the Dordogne offers a rare combination of cultural discovery, natural beauty, and culinary indulgence, expertly guided and enjoyed in the company of a small group of like-minded travelers.
Meet in Bordeaux and transfer to our hotel in Montignac, a pretty river town and the perfect starting point for exploring the area’s rural splendor and famous pre-historic sites. We’ll gather this evening on the hotel terrace for an aperitif before our Welcome Dinner.
Montignac, Hotel de Bouilhac
The day begins with a short transfer to the remarkable Font-de-Gaume cave, famous for its detailed prehistoric wall paintings. After a leisurely lunch with the locals in St-Léon-sur-Vézère, we follow forest tracks through rural landscapes back to Montignac. This evening, we dine in the hotel’s 18th century kitchen around the fireplace.
Montignac, Hotel de Bouilhac
The day begins with a short walk through Montignac, then we’re off on foot to visit Lascaux IV, the state of the art recreation of the most famous Stone Age caves in the region. After lunch, a short transfer takes us to St-Amand de Coly, a quaint medieval town with an imposing abbey church. We’ll explore this lovely town and surrounding woods. After a final transfer, we check into our hotel in St-Vincent-de-Cosse.
Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse, Domaine de Monrecour
Starting from our hotel, plan for a delightful morning walking along the hillside and banks of the Dordogne River. After lunch, we visit Château des Milandes, once the home of American dancer and actress, Josephine Baker. Our visit includes the house and gardens, and a daring falconry demonstration. After, we’ll enjoy the views from the suspended Gardens of Marqueyssac, featuring hundreds of species of trees and over 150,000 pruned boxwoods.
Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse, Domaine de Monrecour
Our path winds through sleepy villages to medieval Beynac, high above the river, with its 12-century castle built into a limestone cliff. Well-trodden cobblestone steps and walkways lead the way. After visiting, we drive to the historic bastide town of Domme. Graffiti carved by imprisoned Knight Templars during the Middle Ages still can be seen on the prison walls here. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring before a transfer to our hotel just outside Bergerac. Relax at the hotel spa or take the optional vineyard walk from Saussignac to the hotel.
Monestier, Château des Vigiers
Today’s walk takes us to the vineyards of Bergerac and Monbazillac, followed by a tasting of some of France’s favorite old vines. A short transfer takes us to Bergerac where a guided walk through its historic town centre is offered. After lunch, we’ll board a traditional flat-bottomed boat for a leisurely glide on the river. There’ll be plenty of time to shop or relax or join another vineyard stroll before a wonderful farewell dinner at the hotel.
Monestier, Château des Vigiers
After breakfast we will transfer you to Bordeaux Saint-Jean rail station or Bordeaux Merignac Airport.
We loved the Lascaux visit and the tour guide; also Font de Gaume. The visits to caves, chateau and gardens were wonderful. We enjoyed the landscape very much, while hiking and in the shuttle, and also from our hotel windows. The final dinner was quite an experience!
The degree of personal attention, care and involvement exceeded expectation.
The food exceeded my expectations. The French can do things with sauces that make food I don’t like taste very good. From my experience, I have high expectations for Wayfaring Walks, the Dordogne walk did not disappoint.
Loved everything about it. Excellent food & wine. Experienced & engaging guide & manager. Amazing scenery. Both Andrea & Bernard were top notch.
Accommodations were first rate boutique properties that reflected the region. The food & wine were a daily anticipated adventure. Dinners were the evenings entertainment. I enjoyed all the food I was looking forward to. The visits and talks were enjoyable, entertaining and informative. I wasn’t sure what type of scenery to expect in the Dordogne. It was a beautiful mix of woods, fields, hills, river valley and villages. Level 3 rating was appropriate.