• Lot Valley Walking

• Everyday (subject to availability) from 15 April to 15 October

• £750 per person based on 2 sharing (single supplement £195)

• grade explained

• 7 nights, 6 days walking moving between guest houses (2 nights at two of the guest houses)

• Quiet trails in unspoilt pretty countryside
• Spectacular chateaux and picturesque villages perched above the valleys on rocky cliffs
• Following the majestic Célé and Lot Valleys
• Major pre-historic site at Pech Merle with its cave paintings

• A mixture of B&B’s and small independent family run hotels offering a high quality of service (2 or 3 star). Many are in historic properties, set in wonderful medieval village locations

1. 7 nights’ accommodation, including all breakfasts, four dinners, one transfer at the start of the week, full walking notes and maps,  transport of luggage

1. Travel to Figeac France (accessible by train); all lunches, 3 evening meals, visits, travel insurance

Walking Profile

6 days self guided walking, moving between hotels and B&B’s.  The holiday is graded moderate. The walking days vary in length allowing you time to visit the sights and to recover from the longer days.  Average days include about 15km walking with daily ascents ranging from about 60m to 600m.  All the walks are on good paths, although some sections can be muddy and rocky. This holiday would be suitable for regular walkers, as well as occasional walkers with a minimum of preparation.

Walks day by day

Day 1: Arrival

The tour begins in the historic town of  Figeac. Straddling the Cele River, Figeac is a beautiful town with an unspoilt medievel centre. Take time to explore  before setting out on your walk through the Quercy countryside.

Day 2: Beduer - Espagnac Ste Eulalie

Transfer to the pretty village of Beduer from where the walk will begin. Heading south-west and passing through glorious, seemingly deserted countryside, the next few days will be spent walking along the Cele Valley. Todays destination is Espagnac Ste Eulalie, via the  village of Corn. (10.5km, +/-300m)

Day 3: Espagnac Ste Eulalie - Marcilhac

Having explored Espagnac, set off for Marcilhac. Walking through fairly rugged terrain,   beneath the overhanging Chateau Anglais and via the village of St Sulpice you will arrive at your accommodation just before Marcilhac. (15km, +/-600m)

Day 4: Marcilhac - Cabrerets

One of the tours longer days, you will follow the Cele Valley to the pretty village of Cabrerets, situated at the confluence of the rivers Cele and Lot. Passing through Sauliac, and with the opportunity to visit the Musee de Cazals. The footpath follows the escarpment bordering the valley, enjoy exceptional views. (21.2km, +/-500m)

Day 5: Cabrerets - St Cirq La Popie

Leave Cabrerets for the beautiful village of St Cirq La Popie which appears to defy gravity as it clings to the cliffs that tower over the River Lot. The walk is fairly short but this gives you the opportunity to visit the world famous cave drawings at Pech Merle shortly after leaving Cabrerets, and time to explore St Cirq La Popie later in the day. (12km, +/-350m)

Day 6: St Cirq La Popie - Vers

Now into the Lot Valley. Walking alongside the elegant River Lot todays destination is Vers. Much of  the walk today is through deserted countryside. Today also provides the tours longest incline, a hill in excess of 2kms. (20.5km, +/-220m)

Day 7: Vers - Cahors

Follow the banks of  the River Lot all the way into Cahors via Arcambal. The steep rocky cliffs of the valley now change to a wonderful rolling landscape. Your destination is Cahors, the bustling departmental capital of the Lot, home of the Malbec vineyards. (18km, +/-60m)

Day 8 Departure

After breakfast, explore Cahors before departing