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Canoe and Hike adventure along the Vezere River

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:38:49 +0000

Walking Dordogne has the well deserved reputation for offering the best and most unique tours and trips in the Dordogne. Hiking, canoeing, horse riding, mountain biking and caving are all on the must do list for visitors wanting to experience the Dordogne, and not just see the Dordogne.

For 3 years now, they have been taking small groups from every corner of world into the very remote and unmapped parts of the Dordogne, exploring prehistoric caves, shelters, troglodytes as well as Roman and Medieval ruins.

From Walking Dordogne’s Blog

NEW FOR 2010 “Sacred River of Dreams”

After our “Valley of Caves” tour, the “Canoe / Hike the Vezere’ is our second most popular trip, and last year we had to turn down 47 people for this trip alone. “Canoe Hike the Vezere” is a fantastic (long) day trip, as the title suggests, canoeing and hiking to various prehistoric places of interest. However, we did have one big problem with this trip, and that was to decide WHICH prehistoric sites to hike to, because we can only fit so much into “Dawn till Dusk” and there is just so much to see, so, we came up with this new Trip Sacred River of Dreams.

Sacred River of Dreams is the ultimate adventure, we will canoe and explore 30 miles of the Vezere River. Our ancestors settled here, and roamed this area more than 460,000 years ago. These were the hunting grounds of the Neanderthals, and it was here that our ancestors the Cro Magnon settled. This area is riddled with prehistoric caves, shelters and troglodytes, that are unmapped, unknown and unforgettable. Too much to explore in just one day, so we will stay a night in a real Neanderthal cave, with spectacular views of the valley and river. On day 2 we will continue down river and continue our exploration, and at the end of this adventure we will all enjoy a delicious meal in Les Eyzies de Tayac.

This trip will be offered twice a week, from April thru October 20th. NO trips during July and August, and a max. of 6 people per trip ( 3 canoes)

If you would like to do a canoe / hike trip like this, but would rather not, or cannot do an overnight trip, then consider our “Canoe / Hike the Vezere” trip.

As with ALL our trips, you are guaranteed a UNIQUE and exciting trip of a lifetime.

For more info about this and other fantastic and unique trips in the Dordogne, visit : www.walkingdordogne.com

Dordogne Mountain Biking Tours on the hottest trails

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:08:27 +0000

Visitors from around the world are coming to the Dordogne, not for the Prehistoric sites, or Medieval Towns and Villages, No, they are coming to Mountain Bike.
Since some of Walking Dordogne’s Mountain Biking Videos were posted on various sites such as YouTube and Mountain Bike Mayhem interest in their tours have gone through the roof.

Walking Dordogne is very secretive about their Trails, but, as Duke from Walking Dordogne states,

this is because we have spent years putting these unique trails together, and a lot of our trails are actually on private property.

Walking Dordogne’s notorious rides are :

•The Devils Play Ground
•Satan’s Fury
•Devils Backbone
•Valley of Revenge
•Hells Gorge

Walking Dordogne are planning to launch two Dordogne “EPIC” trails, an EPIC Trail is a trail that will take a whole day (if lucky) to complete, usually aboy 8+ hours.
These 2 EPICS will be finalized in about November, and will be added to the 2010 list of trips / tours.

To make it easier for Mountain Bikers around the world to find mountain biking in the Dordogne info, Walking Dordogne has launched a “Mountain Biking Dordogne” web page : www.mountainbikingdordogne.com

For all other Walking Dordogne Tours and Trips visit : www.walkingdordogne.com

Cycling tours Dordogne

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:34:14 +0000

Aquitaine Bike the cycle hire and cycling tour base in the Dordogne. They are located in the Perigord Noir, near the confluence of the rivers Dordogne and Vezere. The best way to explore the Dordogne Region is by bicycle. Aquitaine Bike’s rent 24-speed Cannondale and 24-speed Trek hybrid/touring bikes. These lightweight, high performance bikes are ideal for the country roads in the Perigord and surrounding area.

We can say without doubt that the best cycling conditions are to be found in the Dordogne: quiet country roads to suit all levels of riding, beautiful scenery, and one of the cleanest rivers in Europe to cool off in… La Dordogne. Weather conditions here are great for riding from April to November.

Since 2000, Aquitaine Bike has organized cycling tours throughout France and Spain and worked as consultants to U.S. and British bicycle touring companies. Alongside their bike hire services, they specialize in self-guided custom tours in the Dordogne. Their system and organisation of these cycling tours keep costs to a minimum. Check out their Touring page for details. You can find suggestions for accommodation on the Where to Stay page.

The routes and itineraries that Aquitaine Bike design are the result of 20 years of personal cycling experience in the region and 10 years of client feedback.

Visit their Southwest France Tour page for information on our self-guided trip across Aquitaine, from the Dordogne to the Basque Country.

The Dordogne, or Perigord region, is a treasure of natural beauty, prehistory, history, architecture, and gourmet cuisine built around such delicacies as foie gras, the famous black truffle, walnuts, and fresh strawberries. Magnificent feudal and renaissance castles, prehistoric cave art, quiet country roads linking charming honey-coloured stone villages, meandering rivers, and dense oak and chestnut forests full with deer and wild boar. This magical land will enchant you!

Aquitaine Bike are fully insured and listed with the Ministry of Health, Youth, and Sports, reference number 02407ET0126.

Robert and Amy Owensmith
24220 Coux et Bigaroque, France
Email: aquitainebike@gmail.com
Tel / Fax: +33 (0) 553.30.35.17

For more info visit: www.aquitainebike.com

Aquitaine Bike is highly recommended by

B&B Ferme de Tayac : www.fermedetayac.com
Scenic Dordogne : www.scenicdordogne.com
Walking Dordogne : www.walkingdordogne.com
Les Eyzies Tourist Info : www.leseyzies-tourist.info
The Dordogne : www.thedordogne.com
Dordogne Tourist Info : www.dordognetourist.info
Duke of Dordogne : www.dukeofdordogne.com
High on Mountain Biking : www.highonmountainbiking.com

Walking Dordogne goes Underground

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:52:47 +0000

Walking Dordogne is extremely excited with the launch of their new, exciting and unique tour ” Going Underground”

We have spent 2 years exploring the caves, and beyond. “Going Underground” is NOT a “Potholing” adventure, but an adventure for the hikers that want to experience another world underground.
These caves, chambers and tunnels have been used for 1000’s of years, and they played an extremely important role during the Second World War, where they were used by the French Resistance.

This adventure is suitable for most people, but requires a high level of fitness, the ability to clamber, and not claustrophobic.

For more info about Walking Dordogne’s adventures / hikes, please visit www.walkingdordogne.com

Self guided hikes in the Vezere and Dordogne Valley

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:23:41 +0000

Walking Dordogne has posted on their web site that as of next spring they will have 5 self-guided hikes, all of about 30km, however the hikes can be combined to create much longer or shorter hikes.
Walking Dordogne will supply the walkers with a detailed map and a hand held GPS with all the routes incl. places of interest, places to eat / drink, accommodation if needed and lots more.

Details about the hikes, or prices were not mentioned on their site.

The original article can be found here: http://walkingdordogne.com/wdnews/

Hell’s Gorge Les Eyzies

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:06:17 +0000

Walking Dordogne has about 20 excellent walks in their Itinerary, varying from 3 hours to 10 hours, most walks can be combined with other walks to make them longer or shorter. Our walks are guaranteed to show you the REAL Dordogne, and take you to all the main highlights this region is famous for.Our walks are suitable for all ages, but for most walks a certain level of fitness and stamina is required. Most walks are on tracks & trails, some marked, others not. Certain walks to caves, dwellings, ruins and view points are off the tracks, and up hill walking is often required.

Some of our walks may not be suitable for people with a fear of heights.
The great thing about Walking Dordogne is that our walks are not planned months or weeks ahead, we usually plan the walks together with the customer the day before, depending on the wishes and preferences of the customer, this way we can make sure everyone gets to see what they want to see. If the walks are done in combination, with canoeing or horse riding, then these walks are usually planned ahead, to guarentee the use of the horses or canoes.

As of April 10th 2008 we will be adding “Hell’s Gorge” to our already fantastic list of day trips. This trip will take you to some wonderful and exciting places somewhere along the Vezere Valley. Caves, rock overhangs & shelters, trogladytes, ruin of a templars hospital, ancient villages excellent views of the Vezere Valley and lots more. This trip is suitable for all ages, a certain level of fitness is required ( lot’s of uphill and climbing & crawling) and lasts about 4-5 hours. Remember, these caves, shelters, troglodytes, caverns are NOT mentioned in any books, or on any maps.

Below are some pics taken on this trip.

To see the REAL Dordogne, visit: www.walkingdordogne.com

Walking Dordogne’s choice of accommodation in Les Eyzies de Tayac:

B&B Ferme de Tayac. Lovely B&B in a 12th Century former farmhouse / monastery situated ideally in the hart of the Vezere Valley and just 5 minutes from Les Eyzies, the Prehistoric Capital of the World

http://www.fermedetayac.com/

Explore the Vezere Valley

admin — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:04:58 +0000

The Vezere Valley
The Vezere Valley in the hart of the “Perigord Noir” in the Dordogne, is named after the River that cuts through it

In and around the town of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac are a series of prehistoric rock dwellings, the caves include some of the most significant archaeological finds of the Upper Paleolithic (from about 40,000 to10,000 years ago) and Middle Paleolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago) periods they are especially noted for their extensive wall drawings.

Situated in the Vézère Valley the Les Eyzies de Tayac caves are among a series of decorated grottoes in the area that were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

The Vézère valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Paleolithic and 25 decorated caves. It is particularly interesting from an ethnological and anthropological, as well as an aesthetic point of view because of its cave paintings, especially those of the Lascaux Cave, whose discovery in 1940 was of great importance for the history of prehistoric art.

The Vezere Valley is also home to the National Prehistoric Museum, Font de Gaume, Combereilles, Cro Magnon Shelter, The Grand Roc and many, many more sites of interest.
For more Info about the Vezere Valley, visit : www.vezerevalley.info

Valley of the Neanderthal

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:29:22 +0000

Walking Dordogne has about 20 excellent walks in their Itinerary, varying from 3 hours to 10 hours, most walks can be combined with other walks to make them longer or shorter. Our walks are guaranteed to show you the REAL Dordogne, and take you to all the main highlights this region is famous for. Our walks are suitable for all ages, but for most walks a certain level of fitness and stamina is required. Most walks are on tracks & trails, some marked, others not. Certain walks to caves, dwellings, ruins and view points are off the tracks, and up hill walking is often required.
Some of our walks may not be suitable for people with a fear of heights.

The great thing about Walking Dordogne is that our walks are not planned months or weeks ahead, we usually plan the walks together with the customer the day before, depending on the wishes and preferences of the customer, this way we can make sure everyone gets to see what they want to see. If the walks are done in combination, with canoeing or horse riding, then these walks are usually planned ahead, to guarentee the use of the horses or canoes.

As of September 2007 we will be offering “Day Trips” to people who are in the area and would like to see some of the best kept secrets the Vezere Valley has to offer. An example of a “Day Trip” is the “Valley of Caves”, a 5 / 7 hour walk exploring more than 30 (Neaderthal) caves, shelters, troglodytes, underground cavern, stunning views and lots more. Below are some pics taken on this trip. Remember, these caves, shelters, troglodytes, caverns are NOT mentioned in any books, or on any maps.

To see the REAL Dordogne, visit: www.walkingdordogne.com

Walking Dordogne’s choice of accommodation in Les Eyzies de Tayac:

Exciting Les Eyzies 4 the kids

admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:41:11 +0000

As of September 2007 Walking Dordogne will be offering exciting day trips for the kids.
We have put together an exciting horse ride which will last for about two hours, followed by a spectaculer hike to explore a few caves, picnic on a real prehistoric rock ledge with stunning views. Total time is about 5-6 hours. Another option is the Canoe, Horse ride and Hike package. Suitable for ages 8+

For more information go to www.walkingdordogne.com

See the REAL Les Eyzies and Dordogne

admin — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:09:24 +0000

See the REAL Dordogne with Walking Dordogne

The Dordogne, also known as the Perigord is without a doubt one of the most interesting and diverse regions in the world. The Vezere Valley in the “Perigord Noir” is with it’s more than 250 UNESCO sites of interest, the undisputed “Prehistoric Capital of the World”. Prehistoric dwellings, caves, rock shelters and lots more, most of which are only accessible on foot.
However, Dordogne has much more to offer than just relics from the Prehistoric era, castles, bastides, medieval towns & villages, all of these,and lots more, all in the stunning and amazing scenery the Dordogne is famous for, hills, cliffs, windy rivers, great weather, friendly locals, and lots more make the Dordogne one of the most interesting and exciting places in the world.

Walking Dordogne takes you to all the well kept secrets that are only accessible on foot. To see the “Real Dordogne” you will have to get off the roads, and on the tracks. Let us take you back, to the places our ancestors called “home” more than 260000 years ago.

About

Walking Dordogne started as a hobby back in 2001, since then we have spent six years exploring the Dordogne. Based in Les Eyzies de Tayac, we have the Vezere Valley at our doorstep, the Vezere river running through our back yard.
The Dordogne has so much to offer in such a small area. More than 250.000 years of history at your feet, from Neanderthal rock shelters, to Cro-Magnon dwellings, from medieval towns & villages, to fortified bastides, all of this and lots & lots more.
The Vezere Valley is with it’s more than 250 UNESCO sites of interest the undisputed Prehistoric Capital of the world. The most exciting and scenic places this amazing region has to offer is only accessible by foot, horse, canoe, or mountain bike.
Walking Dordogne guarantees to take you to these places, places the average tourist never gets to see. We guarantee you an unforgettable experience, and best of all, we guarantee you the REAL Dordogne

Other Activities

Horse Riding
An excellent way to explore the region is on horse back, we can arrange horse trips anywhere from an hour to an over night trek. Visit remote places on horse back, have a picnic and enjoy the views

Canoeing
Another excellent way to enjoy the area. Canoeing the Vezere is an amazing experience. Riddled with caves, shelters, and dwellings, canoeing offers you an unforgettable experience.Chances are you will spot deer, wild boar, otters, buzzards and kingfishers.Why not combine walking and canoeing for an ultimate experience?.

Off Road Cycling

There are some wonderful off road bicycle tracks that give you an excellent impression of the area. Tired of walking? why not spend a day on the bicycle following well marked tracks, or be adventurous and follow the un-marked tracks used by travellers, merchants, and locals 1000’s of years ago

Complete Scenic Tour

On the days you are not walking, horse riding, canoeing or cycling let us take you to all the the famous spots the Dordogne has to offer. Lascaux, Font de Gaume. Grand Roc, Rocque St Cristophe, National Prehistoric Museum, Beynac, Domme etc.
The Dordogne has literally 1000’s of famous, scenic, secret and unknown attractions. We will put together, a tour to suit each individual

Please visit www.walkingdordogne.com for more info

Walking Dordogne’s choice of accommodation in Les Eyzies de Tayac: