The 10 most beautiful hikes to do around Rocamadour

Walking shoes and sticks, be ready for some beautiful hikes around Rocamadour.

Enjoying a stunning natural site, in the heart of the beautiful region of the Dordogne valley, Rocamadour seduces both heritage lovers and nature lovers.

Attached to its impressive cliff, overlooking the Alzou valley, Rocamadour is in itself an excellent starting point for several beautiful hikes: the richness of the local heritage, as well as the natural beauty of the site make it a great destination for walkers.

The hiking trails are also an opportunity to escape, in times of high tourist affluence, the surfing of the alleys of Rocamadour, in order to explore the surroundings quietly and at its pace.

We are in the south-west of France, and the temperatures rise in the middle of the summer: attention to the long and more demanding itineraries, always provide enough water and protect you from the sun. As early as April and until November, in the hottest months, the conditions are ideal for hiking in Rocamadour: you will then enjoy the most beautiful trails in the region.

1. Buckle in the Alzou Gorge from Rocamadour

A great classic of hiking in Rocamadour, this route offers you to explore the gorges of Alzou during a beautiful loop around the medieval city.

The departure is just outside Rocamadour, with parking to leave the car. A rather steep start leads you through the typical hilly landscapes of the Lot, before descending to the bottom of the canyon created by the Alzou passage: you cross several old mills in a natural setting to breathe, before reaching the starting point by following the route of the river.

This output is medium in difficulty and is organized for half a day or more, if you want to take your time, take breaks, or go with young walkers.

2. From Loubressac to Autoire, by the cascade and the Château des Anglais

Another hike around Rocamadour, this route offers you a true florilège of the historical and natural heritage of the Lot. We start walking in Loubressac, 30 minutes drive de Rocamadour, to rally Autoire: these two villages are among the most beautiful in France!

The decor is still gaining in beauty as you sink into the circus of Autoire, whose cliffs reach the 200 meters high by place, to discover the Fallfall: in the spring, the water is flooded and falls 30 meters high! A solid climber leads us to the English castle, another iconic site of the corner, before gradually regaining the starting point.

3. The mills of the Alzou Gorge

This hike in Rocamadour is a bit the shorter variant of the first route in the Alzou Gorges. The departure is done upstream of the river, at 25 minute drive from the medieval city, with a small parking lot to leave the car behind you.

You then enter directly into the subject with a descent at the bottom of the canyon (advised after heavy rains), in order to follow the trail leading first to the old mill of the Saut, then to the mill of Tournefeuille. After passing through the bed of the river (attention, slippery stones), a solid denial allows you to borrow the ridge path overlooking the gorges, to return to the starting point.

Ideal for a nice half day hike.

4. From Padirac's throat to Autoire circus

The Padirac blow is part of the emblematic natural sites of the Lot: it falls well, it is the starting point of this hike around Rocamadour, only 25 minutes drive By car.

After the visit, we tighten the walking shoes to embark on pleasant country trails, in the direction of the beautiful village of Loubressac, of which we do not wash. Instead of descending into the circus of Autoire, follow the path that overlooks him, for a splendid point of view, passing through the castle of the English, before looping the loop through hilly landscapes.

5. The trail of the Rocks and Men in Saint-Sozy

Direction la vallée de la Dordogne for this hike around Rocamadour, whose departure is in the village of Saint-Sozy: count 25 minutes drive to go.

Highlights of the route, some superb views of the Dordogne, which are overlooked on several occasions, as in the rock of the Monges. The looped path does not extend in a number of kilometers, but can be demanding by place, with denivelé that makes good to the thighs. Attention in raintime, the wet terrain is slippery and becomes more technical: good shoes of rigor.

6. The path of the Ecoliers in Lacave

Walking dive in the heart of the landscapes of the Dordogne valley thanks to this hike around Rocamadour, whose starting point is accessible in 25 minutes drive . The decor is pleasant from end to end, with several views when the path overlooks the Dordogne, well embedded in its limestone cliffs.

To see on the way, the landscapes of causses, always taking, and several castles that punctuate the route: the Belcastel Castle, the Bastit Castle and the Treyne Castle.

7. The Circuit de la Durantie on the side of Souillac

Count 30 minutes car to reach Souillac, north of Rocamadour. The Circuit de la Durantie is short enough in terms of kilometers to go, but we feel the positive denial from the start! The trail climbs a coast of 200 meters above the Dordogne valley, perfect to reach some very beautiful views of the region.

On the way back, you'll be walking along the banks of the Dordogne, green and green, before you find the starting point of the hike. A hike around Rocamadour rewarding to more than one title.

8. The Bois des Jonquilles circuit in Alvignac

Only a quarter of an hour’s drive would be a shame to pass next to this hike around Rocamadour.

Campagnard itinerary, the Jonquilles wood circuit invites you to discover the small local heritage of Alvignac during your walk, with old thermal baths, a cazelle, dry stone hut typical of the Quercy , but also sources, cliffs, and a superb panorama on the causse... Perfect for diving into the atmosphere of the region.

8. From Gramat to Rocamadour:

A variation of the GR 6 linking Gramat and Rocamadour, this route offers you an identical journey, but other paths than the Alzou Gorges. It will still be necessary to cross the canyon, at the level of the Saut mill, but the majority of the hike takes place over the hill, through the pretty Lot countryside, before Rocamadour appears on the horizon.

The route of this hike in Rocamadour being linear (ideal if you walk in itinerance in the region), you will have to plan the return at the end of the walk: Gramat is only at 17 minutes drive Rocamadour.

10. The Pilgrims Hiking in Rocamadour:

No car need for this hike in Rocamadour, the departure is made directly from the village . A beautiful side-by-side exit, you pass through the causses and the beautiful reliefs marking the valleys of Wisdom and Alzou, before going back to Rocamadour: those who have under the sole will make the detour through the gulf of Saint-Sauveur, on the way back.

Rando long enough in terms of kilometers, with a sometimes random beacon, plan a little time in front of you, good shoes, and the water reserve in case of heat.