Walks
Jasmin Cottage is ideally located for walking holidays in the Lot Valley and Lot-et-Garonne region. Quiet country lanes, woodland trails, vineyards, riverside paths, and hilltop villages can all be explored either directly from the cottage or within a short drive.
The walks below include both gentle local routes and longer countryside circuits, many with beautiful views across the valleys and vineyards of southwest France. We regularly update these recommendations as we continue exploring the area ourselves.
Walks from the door
We recommend you get the Komoot walking app which we’ve used to record many of our favourite walks both from the door and further-a-field.
Lagrolère Circuit
- 45 – 55 minutes. 2.92 km. 70 m climb and fall
Exit through the rear courtyard and down Chateau de Montayral’s drive. Cross the road into the meadow and proceed downhill. The route brings you to the Lagrolère adventure centre, “Centre de Loisirs Lagrolère.” You can walk up the centre of the playing fields (6 to 7) or on the private road on the left. Emerging at the Observatoire (9) you then turn left towards the aerodrome. When you reach a marked path on your left descend back to the chateau on a stony track through the woods. You can lengthen the route by exploring the wooded paths on the right of the Lagrolère adventure centre.
Le Caillou valley circuit
- 50 – 60 minutes. 3.19 km. 70m fall and climb
Exit through the rear courtyard and down Chateau de Montayral’s drive. Cross the road into the meadow and proceed downhill. Keep straight on the path until you reach the road and houses. (3) Take the first right. When you reach the main road go straight across. You continue in this direction descending towards the River Lot. Two-hundred metres before the river you turn sharp right (8) onto a wooded footpath. (12) Turn right and climb the stony footpath back to Le Caillou. When you reach the road turn right, immediately left. Cross the main road and enter Chemin de Lafon to return to the gite.
La Combe de Gaby Lot view circuit
- 90 – 110 minutes. 5.7 km. 140 m climb and fall.
This circular walk takes you to the top of the hill overlooking the river Lot. Optionally, you could extend the walk by descending to the river at point (17) where there’s a magnificent weir, a fishing spot favored by locals. The. complete circuit is beautifully varied: meadows, wooded paths, hill-top views, spindly oak woodland. You can shorten the circuit by heading straight toward Combe de Gaby by turning right at the bottom of our shared drive. Or drive to point (20) on Combe de Gaby and park on the verge.
Le Rey Circuit
- 60 – 70 minutes. 4.2 km. 120 m fall and climb.
This circular walk heads over the other side of the main road to the quiet Combe de Gaby. On leaving the road, the path leads you through spindly oak woodland, with welcome shade in the heat of summer. You can shorten the walk by driving over to park on the grass verge of Combe de Gaby.
Château de Perricard view circuit
- 100 – 120 minutes. 5.8 km. 90 m fall and climb.
This circular walk crosses the meadow below the chateau, then a shaded path skirts woodland towards Montayral. A short climb takes you to a plateau with far reaching views across the Lot valley to the north and the magnificent Château de Perricard and its plum orchards to the southwest. The route is also cyclable though you should descend back to the chateau by road to avoid the steep stony track.
Barrou Circuit from l'Observatoire
- 90 minutes. 5.3 km. 80 m fall and climb.
A circular walk mostly on a plateau with good views. The path skirts a game reserve where you’re likely to see deer and occasionally wild boar. Then you walk through plum orchards and on a very quiet road through the hamlet of Barrou. You could also follow this route by bike.
Walks to Drive to
These walks are further afield, reached by car. If you plan to visit Saint-Cirq-Lapopie then we highly recommend the first of these walks.
From Bouziès to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
- Drive: 80 Minutes. Walk: 80 minutes (one way). 3.8 km. 150 m climb.
Well worth a visit. An easy walk along the ancient tow path along the river lot with the incredible overhanging cliffs. Then a short steep climb into the ancient beautiful village. Book a table for lunch or carry a picnic. Warning - tourist hot-spot. At peak times it will be full of tourists. Paid parking at start. Arrive early to get a space.
Mauroux Circuits x 12
- Drive: 7 Minutes. A selection of 12 routes.
The local village Mauroux has lots of well marked. routes ranging from 5 KM to 14 km. Find them all here.
Cazes and Viladie Circuit
- Drive: 20 Minutes. Walk: 90 minutes. 5.1 km. 150 m climb and fall.
Tucked between Duravel and Puy-l'Évêque a gentle climb for the first half of this walk and then descend via a wooded valley with a spring and stream.
Montcabrier Circuit
- Drive: 20 Minutes. Walk: 60 minutes. 3.7 km. 80 m climb and fall.
A beautiful small hill-top village with cliffs on both sides of La Thèze river. Despite the cliffs, this route has any easy descent and return. There are several longer walks in the area you can find here.
Albas Orientation Table
- Drive: 33 Minutes. Walk: 100 minutes. 5.6 km. 170 m climb and fall.
Albas is a beautiful village beside the River Lot towards Cahors from Prayssac. This route gradually climbs from the village to an observation table high above the river. You can shorten the walk to one hour by taking an earlier path down after walking through vineyards. When you get back to the village, check out the Guinguette d'Albas restaurant by the river.
Grézels to Bélaye
- Drive: 20 Minutes. Walk: 75 mins each way. 8.6 km total. 200 m climb and fall.
Park in the large car park in Grézels. Walk to Bélaye with it's magnificent viewpoint. Take lunch at Le Couvent bar/restaurant in Bélaye. Check its opening times (seasonal). We recommend the same walking route back as the alternative is too much on road.
Fumel Circuit
- Drive: 10 Minutes. Walk: 85 minutes. 5.2 km. 90 m climb and fall.
Walk around Fumel. Firstly you head east along the cycle path beside the River Lot. At Condat you head north away from the river and gradually climb the hill which brings you back into Fumel behind the Chateau. Adapt the route by parking next to the disused railway station and get straight onto the riverside path.
Thézac circuit 3.4 km
- Drive: 10 Minutes. Walk: 50 minutes. 3.4 km. 90 m climb and fall.
Thézac is a beautiful small village just 10 minutes from here by car. This short walk would be perfect on a hot day, as it's shady, 90 percent off-road. and only a gentle climb on the second half of the circuit. Thézac is between here and Tournon-d'Agenais, a bastide village worth a visit for lunch and its beautiful views from the top of the old town.
Monflanquin circuit 7.5 km
- Drive: 25 Minutes. Walk: 100 minutes. 7.5 km. 100 m climb and fall.
Monflanquin is a beautiful bastide town with a beautiful square, numerous restaurants, and breathtaking views. This circuit starts below the old town. After the walk, drive to the top of the town to explore the bastide. Restaurants are popular, so booking recommended.
Hiking loop from Cavagnac
- Drive: 10 Minutes. Walk: 2 hours. 7.3 km. 170 m climb and fall.
Directly across the other side of the river Lot, above the village of Soturac we found this lovely circuit from Cavagnac. A very quiet area, so even though around a third of the route is on lanes, you're unlikely to encounter traffic. Perhaps combine with a Vineyard visit.
Mauroux plateau views
- Drive: 10 Minutes. Walk: 90 minutes. 6.3 km. 60 m climb and fall.
Mauroux has lots of footpaths. This route follows a well marked track through. woodland, with a loop before returning via the same track. Good for a hot day, as it is flat with lots of shade from the trees. Combine with lunch at Chez Justine in Mauroux village centre.
Lac de Peyralade circuit near Roquecor
- Drive: 35 Minutes. Walk: 1h 45m. 7.1 km. 110 m climb and fall.
Beautiful countryside views on a slightly more strenuous walk near Lacour. Mostly on footpaths and farm tracks, very little on road and we encountered no traffic… typical for this area. Lunch options in Roquecor, Montaigu, or Lacour.
Montcabrier, Circuit des Gariottes
- Drive: 30 Minutes. Walk: 1 hour. 4.6 km. 80 m climb and fall..
Montcabrier offers several lovely walks. This is our short version of a marked circuit. There is lots of shady tree cover and good paths. Very little on road.
