Castelnaud and Roque gageac circuit

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Photo ofCastelnaud and Roque gageac circuit

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stuartbutler

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Trail stats

Distance: 11.13 mi
Elevation gain: 1,647 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 1,647 ft
Max elevation: 699 ft
TrailRank: 57
Min elevation: 208 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 3 hours 48 minutes
Time: 4 hours 56 minutes
Coordinates: 3209
Uploaded: December 1, 2020
Recorded: November 2020

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near Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France)

Viewed 406 times, downloaded 22 times

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Itinerary description

Fabulous loop walk that pieces together bits of many shorter walks to create a long circular hike taking in some of areas most famed tourist sites, quiet riverside walks and ambles through oak and chestnut woodlands. There's one very short bit beside a busy rd but otherwise walking tracks and quiet country lanes all the way. A real classic walk.

Waypoints

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Start at parking at base of village.

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Cross the dordogne river via big bridge

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Super views back to chateau

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Go past a couple buildings on your right and one on left. Just before second building on left a farm track leads off road to right through fields. Take this.

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200m later pass water works building

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Head roughly ne through fields. The cliffs of roque gageac are visible ahead

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At junction if farm tracks continue straight ahead following line of trees. Off to your right and up on cliff are the gardens of ???

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Nearing roque gageac the dordogne river will again appear on your right

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Right by campsite entry and follow grassy trail along banks of river

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When you reach main road carry on along it to village

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By zebra crossing go uphill slightly along this track with marvelous views of roque gageac and river. U only go 50m on rd

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Wonderful views

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At walk signs avoid dropping down onto main road and instead take path straight ahead climbs a bit into upper level of village

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Veer up metaled cliff face steps to fort (closed for covid) then go through arched gateway

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Pass pretty church and village Hall, then 15m later descend down to main Rd on small steps that slide through banana trees

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Climb back into village to gatewatt me entry to fortress and take the narrow cliff side pathway immeaditly left by gateway that runs east almost at upper level of village houses. Heading through the gageac quarter following yellow way markers

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After walking 5min from village centre you come to a fork by a building covered in ivy. Go left uphill follow yellow markers

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Turns into trail through oak forest

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At trail junction head down hill right toward gageac

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After couple min u reach small Rd turn left then left again and along footpath back into woodlands

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After short but steep climb reach Rd go straight over and continue uphill on footpath

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Path levels up and runs through very attractive mossy woodland

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Turn right down dirt road

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Continue on dirt Rd ignoring any footpaths turning off back into woodland. Rd makes a big u shaped loop. At head of u ignore turn off left. Pass couple houses and now on surfaced rd

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Ignore footpath on left short way after head of u. Stay on this road and follow as it bends down hill

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t Rd junction by wooden barn and no entry to 3.5 tonne vehicles ignore turn off right and continue straight ahead

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I come to four way junction with stone cross on left. Continue straight ahead here toward distant village perched atop cliff direct ahead

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Once u come to main d46 road turn right and follow it down to and over bridge. It's busy be careful

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After 100m is turn off right with this sign. Ignore carry on straight ahead down road verge and over river via bridge

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After half an unpleasant km u arrive in village. Take first right down to SUP and kayak rental right after town sign

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Pass water works and follow quiet road now some red and white gr trail markers

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Turn right at Rd junction and onto farm track. Gr trail markers

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Trail makes sharp right and goes down to river which it then follows in downstream direction

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This part of walk is place to spread a blanket for a quiet Riverside picnic

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Turn left at Green walk sign and sign for Santiago pilgrims and move away from river through fruit trees

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Follow track right then left so running up along base edge of low cliff

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After few min first broken patches of tarmac appear on track. Where track bends 90 degrees left a walk trail veers off right through woodland signed red and white and green. Take this and go uphill through woods

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Couple min later when reach Rd go right

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At Rd junction and first houses turn right and follow road into st julien

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Pretty village of st julien on a hill

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As u enter village there's a small parking area on left and a very sharp left turn or straight on. Make the sharp left and descend downhill.

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Follow Rd away from village and big curving turns. U get lovely view of cliffs and Gardens de???

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Rd turns to dirt road and rolls through woodland with lots of birds

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After ten min in this track a private tarmac Rd leads off at fork left. Take the woodland trail right with red white markers and glimpses of river directly below through trees

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Right at trail junction and descend downhill

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This woodland walk is one of highlight of day. Where trees part u can get fleeting views of both beynac and chateaunaud. River below. In autumn is espically lovely

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Trail eventually bends around away from castlenaud and continue through woodland before hitting the valley floor. Veering right and then onto small tarmac Rd. Follow this straight ahead to main Rd and back to parking and castle a moment later