Rocamadour
Pilgrimage town stacked up the cliff, a stop on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela, with a free day to explore.
- Duration
- 8 days (7 nights)
- Walking each day
- 14.1–20.1 km (9–12 miles)Optional walks on days 4 (10.8 km (6.7 miles)) and 6 (20.3 km (13 miles))
- Activity level
- ModerateHow hard is it?
- Daily climb
- Up to 390 m (about 1,300 ft)Measured from our GPX tracks
- Start and finish
- Souillac to CarennacGetting there →
- Owned and run by
- Cassie at Dordogne Experience
- Holiday style
- Self-guided, inn to inn, with your luggage moved for youSelf-guided or guided? →
- Season and start days
- April–OctoberStart any day
- Hotels
- Often family-run 2★ and 3★ hotels
- Meals
- 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners
- Location
- The Dordogne and Lot, France
Exploring Rocamadour is an 8-day self-guided walking tour from Souillac to Carennac, 14.1–20.1 km (9–12 miles) a day, from £975.
A week following the Dordogne east and climbing to Rocamadour, the pilgrimage town clinging to its cliff, with two nights there, the great Padirac chasm, two nights in clifftop Loubressac and a last walk to Carennac on the Dordogne.
You start in Souillac, with its Romanesque church, and follow the Dordogne valley eastwards, sometimes beside the water and sometimes high on the escarpment, with views of the châteaux of La Treyne and Belcastel. From St Sozy the route turns south through woods and fields to Rocamadour, for centuries a stop on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, where you stay two nights.
The walking is moderate, 14 to 20 km (9 to 12 miles) a day on woodland paths, riverside tracks and sandy trails across the limestone plateau, past prehistoric dolmens. After your free day in Rocamadour you walk on to the Gouffre de Padirac and the clifftop village of Loubressac, where you stay two nights, with circular walks to the Château de Castelnau and Autoire, then a last walk to Carennac on the Dordogne.
You stay in characterful, often family-run hotels throughout, and six dinners are included. On your free evening you can try Rocamadour’s restaurants. Your luggage is moved on for you each day, and you’ll have our detailed route notes and support throughout.
This route has been walked by our family, and every hotel is one we know.
Rocamadour and the pilgrimsThe Camino de Santiago: the Way of St James, or le chemin de Saint-Jacques
Since the Middle Ages pilgrims have climbed to Rocamadour’s sanctuaries, built into the cliff above the Alzou gorge. Rocamadour’s Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the Crypt of Saint-Amadour are part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing “Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France”. Two pilgrim routes come through the town: a detour off the Le Puy route (the Via Podiensis, GR 65), which pilgrims leave at Figeac to walk here on the GR 6 before heading on towards Cahors on the GR 46, and the Voie de Rocamadour, which links the Vézelay route to the Le Puy route by way of Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne and Martel.
Our holiday isn’t a pilgrimage, but you arrive in Rocamadour on foot, as pilgrims have for centuries, with your luggage carried and your hotels booked: a taste of the Camino, not the whole thing.
A family business, owned and run by Cassie
- Deal directly with Cassie
- Your dates, your length
- Meet Cassie in Sarlat
- Replies within 24 hours
Book early for May, June and September. Our hotels are small and often family-run, and they fill first in those months, so the earlier you book, the more choice of dates you’ll have.
Booking and cancelling
- A 25% deposit secures your holiday. The balance is due 8 weeks before you travel (book within 8 weeks and the full price is due when you book).
- Cancelling, in writing: more than 56 days before departure, 25% of the holiday price (your deposit); 56 to 29 days, 50%; 28 to 15 days, 70%; 14 days or less, 100%.
- Prices are set in pounds, and you can pay in any currency you prefer.
Also available
- Extra nights anywhere on the route
Highlights
Gouffre de Padirac
Padirac ChasmOne of France’s great cave systems, with an underground boat trip.
Loubressac
A Plus Beaux Village de France (“one of France’s most beautiful villages”) on a clifftop above the Dordogne valley.
Châteaux along the way
Views of La Treyne and Belcastel above the river, and a walk to the Château de Castelnau from Loubressac.
Two rest days
Rocamadour and clifftop Loubressac, each with circular walks to choose from.
Rocamadour cheese
The town’s own AOP goat’s cheese, a must at dinner.
Evenings on this route
Daily routeOptional circular routeSelect a route to jump to that day
Day by day
At a glance
| Day | Route | Distance | Climb | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Souillac | – | – | Souillac · La Vieille Auberge |
| Day 2 | Souillac to St Sozy | 17.2 km (11 miles) | ↑ 390 m (about 1,300 ft) ↓ 370 m (about 1,200 ft) | St Sozy · Hotel Grangier |
| Day 3 | St Sozy to Rocamadour | 14.1 or 14.8 km (8.8 or 9.2 miles) | ↑ 290–300 m (about 950–1,000 ft) ↓ 140–230 m (about 450–750 ft) | Rocamadour · Hotel Bellevue |
| Day 4 | Rocamadour circular walk | Optional 10.8 km (6.7 miles) | ↑ 270 m (about 900 ft) ↓ 280 m (about 900 ft) | Rocamadour · Hotel Bellevue |
| Day 5 | Rocamadour to Loubressac | 20.1 km (12 miles) | ↑ 320 m (about 1,050 ft) ↓ 240 m (about 800 ft) | Loubressac · Le Cantou 354 |
| Day 6 | Optional circular walks from Loubressac | Optional 20.3 km (13 miles) | ↑ 390 m (about 1,300 ft) ↓ 390 m (about 1,300 ft) | Loubressac · Le Cantou 354 |
| Day 7 | Loubressac to Carennac | – | – | Carennac · Hotel Fenelon |
| Day 8 | Departure | – | – | – |
Climbs shown where we’ve measured the route.
Arrival in Souillac
Make your way to Souillac, a lively old market town on the banks of the Dordogne and an easy journey by train or road from Paris via Brive. If you arrive in good time, wander its old streets and step inside the domed Romanesque abbey church.
Tonight: La Vieille Auberge ↗Dinner includedSouillac to St Sozy 17.2 km (11 miles)Climb 390 m (about 1,300 ft), descent 370 m (about 1,200 ft)
Great views of the châteaux of La Treyne and Belcastel from high above the river valley, then a descent to a riverside path that passes prehistoric cave dwellings on the way to the timeless old village of St Sozy.
Tonight: Hotel Grangier ↗Dinner includedSt Sozy to Rocamadour 14.1 km (8.8 miles)Climb 290 m (about 950 ft), descent 140 m (about 450 ft)
Through pleasant woods and fields, with glimpses of the Auvergne mountains on a clear day, to Rocamadour, spectacularly set in its rocky valley.
Tonight: Hotel Bellevue ↗Dinner included
Rocamadour circular walk Optional 10.8 km (6.7 miles)Climb 270 m (about 900 ft), descent 280 m (about 900 ft)
Today’s suggestion is the circular walk from Rocamadour in your route notes, shown on the map below. Or skip it and take the whole day to explore Rocamadour, an important religious site since its beginnings and a stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Tonight is bed and breakfast, so you can choose where to eat in Rocamadour.
Bed & breakfast, dinner outRocamadour to Loubressac 20.1 km (12 miles)Climb 320 m (about 1,050 ft), descent 240 m (about 800 ft)
The route follows the Combe Molière valley to the little village of Gaule and on to Padirac, where the underground river and caverns of the Gouffre de Padirac are well worth a visit. Pleasant sandy paths then lead you to the dramatically sited fortified village of Loubressac.
Tonight: Le Cantou 354 ↗Dinner included
Optional circular walks from Loubressac Optional 20.3 km (13 miles)Climb 390 m (about 1,300 ft), descent 390 m (about 1,300 ft)
Three circular options today: a walk to the magnificent Château de Castelnau, with lunch at its restaurant, Les Remparts; a walk to Autoire, with its gentlemen’s houses and a climb up the cirque, the rock amphitheatre above the village; or, for the energetic, one that takes in both. It’s up to you on the day: the castle, Autoire, both, or a shorter, easier day. The map shows the walk that takes in both; your route notes have all three.
Tonight: Le Cantou 354 ↗Dinner includedLoubressac to Carennac
From clifftop Loubressac you walk down to the Dordogne at Carennac, one of France’s most beautiful villages. Take your time in its winding streets, and there’s a swimming pool for a cooling dip. Dinner tonight is at the Fenelon, which is known for its cooking.
Tonight: Hotel Fenelon ↗Dinner includedDeparture
Your holiday ends after breakfast. For the journey home, your hotel can book you a taxi to the station at Brive or Souillac.
2027 prices
| 8 days (7 nights) | |
|---|---|
| Per person, sharing a double or twin | £975 |
| Single room supplement | +£280 |
| Travelling solo (on top of the per-person price) | +£340 |
8 days (7 nights)
Per person, sharing a double or twin£975
Single room supplement+£280
Travelling solo (on top of the per-person price)+£340
- Single room supplement: when someone in your group would like a room of their own.
- Travelling solo: a supplement on top of the per-person price, as the costs aren’t shared. Our guide to solo holidays →
What’s included
Included
- 7 nights’ accommodation, sharing a double or twin room
- 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Your luggage moved on each time you change hotel
- Our detailed route notes
- GPX files by email, with simple instructions for using them on your phone
- Support by phone and WhatsApp throughout your holiday
Not included
- Travel to the start and from the finish
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (châteaux, caves, gardens and museums)
- Travel insurance (we strongly recommend it)
- Personal expenses
Practical information
Getting there and away
By air. Brive–Vallée de la Dordogne airport is about 20 minutes from Souillac; Bergerac and Toulouse are around 1 hour 45 minutes.
From further afield. From Australia, the USA and further afield, most long-haul flights land at Paris Charles de Gaulle, with connecting flights to Bordeaux or Toulouse, or a train from Paris to the region.
By train. Souillac, where the walk starts, is on the main line from Paris Austerlitz to Toulouse, about 5 hours from Paris.
By car. Calais to Souillac is around 800 km (497 miles), roughly 8 hours’ driving.
Going home. The walk ends in Carennac, and your hotel can book a taxi to take you to Brive or Souillac station.
Route finding
Our detailed route notes come in digital form, so you always know where the next turn is.
We also email you GPX files, with simple instructions for using them on your phone, so you can see exactly where you are on the map.
It varies by route. Some sections are waymarked, and your route notes tell you where. The notes and GPS guide you the rest of the way.
Bring a smartphone with mobile data and a power bank. If you take a wrong turn, the GPX track shows you the way back, and we’re a call or WhatsApp away.
We’ve walked or cycled our Dordogne and Lot routes ourselves, so our notes come from first-hand experience.
Meals and dietary needs
Included: 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners. The day-by-day shows which nights include dinner.
Breakfast is usually French-style: fresh bread and croissants with butter and jam, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Some hotels add yoghurt, fruit or cheese.
Lunch is up to you, and it’s one of the pleasures of the day: pick up a picnic from a village bakery or market, or stop at a café along the way. On some days there are few shops on the route, so it’s worth buying lunch before you set off.
Tell us about any dietary needs when you book and we’ll let every hotel know. Vegetarian meals are no problem. Other needs, such as gluten-free food or a serious allergy, are harder for small country kitchens, so please talk to Cassie before you book, and always carry any medication you need.
Drinks aren’t included: anything you enjoy with dinner is simply settled with the hotel before you leave.
Your luggage
Whenever you change hotel, your bags are taken on for you, so they’re waiting when you arrive. Please have them ready at reception by 9am.
During the day you only need a daypack: water, snacks, a waterproof, sun cream and a hat, plus anything you’ll want before evening, such as medication.
Many of our hotels are in old buildings and some have no lift, so expect the odd flight of stairs with your bags.
One bag per person, up to 20 kg.
Hotels and check-in
Rooms are usually ready from mid-afternoon, and check-out is usually by 10 or 11am. If you arrive early, the hotel will normally look after your bags while you explore.
Most rooms have a shower rather than a bath, as is usual in French country hotels.
The day-by-day above lists your hotels night by night, and we’ll send you full details with your booking confirmation.
Weather and when to go
Our season runs from April to October.
Spring brings wildflowers and fresh green valleys, with mild days that can still be showery; April mornings can be cool.
June and September are often the sweet spot: warm, settled and quieter, and September brings the grape harvest.
July and August are hot, often 30 °C or more in the afternoon, so set off early, carry plenty of water and plan a long lunch in the shade. Summer thunderstorms can be heavy but usually pass quickly.
October is golden and peaceful, with cooler days, shorter evenings and a little more rain.
Language
French is the language of the route. Most hotels speak some English, but in small villages, shops and cafés you’ll often find they don’t.
A few words go a long way and are always appreciated: bonjour as you walk into a shop, merci, and l’addition, s’il vous plaît when you’d like the bill.
Markets and things to book ahead
The Gouffre de Padirac, a vast chasm with an underground river you explore by boat, is close to the route after Rocamadour. Visits are by timed ticket, so book online before you travel.
Souillac’s market is on Friday mornings.
Rocamadour’s sanctuaries need no booking; go early in the morning or late in the day to enjoy them quietly.
What to expect
See all photos for this holiday →What our guests say
“In August we did a walking holiday of the Dordogne region and included Rocamadour to finish. Dordogne Experience were really helpful leading up to our walk and we were very pleased that everything went as planned. The walking tracks were very well mapped out and really interesting and beautiful. The hotels exceeded expectations and all of the meals included were of good quality. We would recommend to anyone that want to see France in a slow and relaxing way.”
Behind the scenes
Questions about this holiday
How far do I walk each day?
Between 14.1 and 20.1 km (9 to 12 miles) on the walking days, with optional walks on days 4 (10.8 km (6.7 miles)) and 6 (20.3 km (13 miles)). The day-by-day above gives each day’s distance.
How fit do I need to be?
The level is moderate. If you enjoy a good day’s walking, you’ll be fine. If you’d like to skip a day or aren’t feeling well, ask your hotel in the morning to book a taxi to your next hotel (you pay the fare locally). In an emergency, call us.
Where does it start and finish?
Exploring Rocamadour starts in Souillac and finishes in Carennac. For travel there, see How do I get there? in our FAQ.
Is this an inn-to-inn holiday?
Yes, Exploring Rocamadour is an inn-to-inn holiday. You walk from one hotel to the next, and your luggage is moved on for you, so it’s waiting when you arrive and you only need a daypack. See What is an inn-to-inn holiday? in our FAQ.
Which meals are included?
7 breakfasts and 6 dinners. The day-by-day above shows which nights include dinner; on the other nights you choose where to eat. Lunches and drinks aren’t included.
Can I add nights or change the dates?
Yes, you can add nights or change the dates on Exploring Rocamadour. You can start on any day from April to October, and dates, distances and extra nights can be adjusted to suit you. Also available: extra nights anywhere on the route.
Can I travel solo?
Yes, solo walkers are very welcome on Exploring Rocamadour. As the costs aren’t shared, travelling solo is +£340 on top of the per-person price. See all prices.
Is Rocamadour on the Camino de Santiago?
Yes, Rocamadour is on the Camino de Santiago. Rocamadour has been a major pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Rocamadour’s Basilica of Saint-Sauveur and the Crypt of Saint-Amadour are part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing “Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France”. Two pilgrim routes of the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St James, come through it: a detour off the main Le Puy route (the Via Podiensis, GR 65), which pilgrims leave at Figeac to walk to Rocamadour on the GR 6 before heading on towards Cahors on the GR 46; and the Voie de Rocamadour, which links the Vézelay route to the Le Puy route by way of Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne and Martel. This holiday isn’t a pilgrimage: it’s a self-guided inn-to-inn walk that brings you to Rocamadour on foot for two nights, with a free day to explore its sanctuaries, your luggage carried and your hotels booked.
More to read
Rocamadour: a visitor’s guide
How to see Rocamadour: the Black Madonna, the 216-step Grand Escalier, the lifts, the view from L’Hospitalet and the quiet hours.
The Gouffre de Padirac
How to visit the Gouffre de Padirac in the Lot: the underground boat trip, booking tickets, how long to allow, and the walks that pass it.
What you’ll see on our routes, day by day
Castles, caves, bastides and cliff villages: the sights on each of our Dordogne walking and cycling holidays, stop by stop, with what makes each special.
The Dordogne without a car
You don’t need a car in the Dordogne on a walking or cycling holiday. Walk hotel to hotel, your luggage is moved, and you arrive by train.
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