Walking holidays in the Dordogne

The Dordogne sits within the Périgord and abounds in clear, flowing rivers, craggy hillsides of golden rock, hill-top villages and castles built of the local stone, and attractive houses with grey slate roofs and mini turrets, with vines trained along their walls. A walking holiday in the Dordogne acquaints the rambler with beautiful scenery, picturesque villages and the traditional way of life in this rural part of France. Plus, the gastronomy of the Dordogne is renowned for its truffles, foie gras, `magret de canard` and walnuts. Walking in the Dordogne generally follows the undulating countryside, the river valleys, and the mixed-wood forests. Your route might cross or run along any of the Grandes Randonnées, for example, the GR36 which travels through the Dordogne from the Channel to the Mediterranean, the GR636 from Monbazillac or the GR646 from Périgueux. The route that traces the footsteps of St James to northern Spain also features stages in the Dordogne. Walking in the Dordogne combines wonderful scenery and wonderful local flavour.