The Greenway from Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière to Thiviers in Périgord Vert

Discover Perigord & the Dordogne

Go by bike, on foot or on horseback, along the Voie Verte from Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière to Thiviers (or the opposite !). In the heart of nature, 90% shaded and completely secure, it is an ideal family outing, to do a little sport or train for sport walking. On horseback, this track is a treat with clear views for a little galloping!

Photos of the article © Guide du Périgord

A Green Lane on an old railway line

Greenways are very often built on old railway lines and this is no exception to the rule. The existing route is straight, clear and laid out across, over or bypassing natural obstacles (rivers, forests, hills). This greenway crosses a very wooded environment, so there are few views of the surrounding landscapes, but it is a true haven of tranquility and nature. Sometimes there are valleys, with streams flowing and gurgling below...

The start of the greenway near Saint-Pardoux

Nice little valley with a stream

To park: On one side or the other of the greenway, parking is indicated rather randomly... Do not hesitate to consult your GPS to find where to park your vehicle. In Saint-Pardoux, you have to go above the road, at the beginning of the viaduct. There is a grassy area there next to a business, with 3 or 4 places to park.

A stabilized coating, but not always very smooth!

We can easily guess that we are on an old railway line!

The surface of the track is stabilized, but be careful, this is not a nice smooth coated asphalt! I recommend that you travel there by mountain bike or hybrid bike but not by road bike, which risks slipping and not appreciating the middle of the track where the vegetation has regained its rights. By mountain bike and hybrid bike, even in GRAVEL, no worries! In terms of elevation and length, the delimited greenway is 17km long, but it is not a loop. Which means if you do the round trip it takes around 34 km. With the children, or if you come less for the distance than for a short walk, remember to turn around and save energy for the return trip! The difference in height is not very important, the track goes up and down on a false flat, fairly regularly, this does not present any difficulty even for young children. Be careful, however, there is 1 intersection with a road: be careful when crossing it!

The greenway is the object of an artistic staging, with 9 panels illustrated with photographs, to tell you about the life of the users of the old railway line.

Do like us ! Before or after the walk on the greenway, visit the Grotte de Villars which is only 5 km from Saint-Jean-de-Côle!

The greenway plan

Sometimes we cross pine forests, sometimes oak forests!

And sometimes you cross the road and you have to be careful because the cars go faster than the trees !!!

To see or do near the Voie Verte from Thiviers to Saint-Pardoux

The greenway does not cross villages (be careful, take water !!), but you can stop at the benches installed all along. You can also leave the track, for example to visit the very pretty village (classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France) of Saint-Jean-de-Côle. Discover the shops and restaurants in summer, the elegant Château de la Martonie.

This region is a haven of nature, we recommend that you stay at a family campsite in the Périgord Vert, to go hiking, enjoy the leisure centres and swimming lakes, the charming villages with their (summer) activities and their markets, shops, businesses...

View of Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière, from the bridge

The Dronne, which flows under the bridge

Visit the village of Saint-Jean-de-Côle! We went for a walk with a guide, Alex, who regularly organizes visits to learn more about the history, heritage and all the little anecdotes of this village… Read our article !

This green way of the Périgord vert is a section of the Flow Vélo (in fr), it is even the start (or the finish). The Flow bike is laid out over 290 km between Thiviers and the island of Aix in Charente Maritime. It passes through Angoulème, Cognac, Rochefort, Saintes… It is a very beautiful route to discover the Regional Natural Park of Périgord Limousin, and then the ocean frontage and the islands of Charente Maritime!

Let's come back to Périgord… Besides Saint-Jean-de-Côle, the greenway from Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière to Thiviers passes near Saint Romain, Saint Clément, and Milhac de Nontron. Do not hesitate to deviate from the route if you feel like taking a walk. In particular, you will see on your right (from Saint-Pardoux) the old Milhac train station which is now a residential house!

The old station of Milhac de Nontron

Download the descriptive sheet with the route (in fr) of the greenway, to study it before you start.

Other greenways for walking with the family in Périgord

The Céou Valley Véloroute, which is located near Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, in the Dordogne Valley
The Voie Verte de Sarlat, which is located between the medieval city in Périgord Noir and the Lot.
The Véloroute Voie Verte de Bergerac, which is very pleasant and bucolic, along the Dordogne.
Read our article on Périgord cycle routes and greenways, to always know where to go with your two wheels!

If the greenway from Saint-Pardoux to Thiviers is very popular with cyclists and families, it is also frequented by Nordic and sports walking enthusiasts, for running training and sometimes by riders. Remember to respect everyone's space and be careful when visibility is reduced!

We wish you a nice ride!

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