Hiking in Cubjac Terre de Causses, the loop of the 4 parishes

Fancy a fun hike near Périgueux? Let's go for a ten kilometer walk, or even more if you climb to the heights of Montagnac d'Auberoche to enjoy a splendid view of the surrounding causses. Montagnac d'Auberoche is one of the highest towns in the area and from the plateau, you can breathe! Slightly magical undergrowth, cozy atmosphere of footsteps on moss, rocky chaos, a hint of rock shelters… What more could you ask for? From 10 to 15 kilometers to do on foot, in Nordic walking version, on mountain bike, it's as you want, shall we go?

Photos of the article © Guide du Périgord

sponsored content

A hike in the Cubjac sector

We hiked this hike in winter, but it is of course to be done all year round! In winter, Périgord is attractive because the forests of hazel trees, oaks and chestnut trees are bare and offer a different face. The undergrowth retains its mystical atmosphere, a little magical, thanks to the moss on the rocks and the ground covered with leaves that felt our steps... But the light is interesting, even at the bottom of a valley (depression between two ridges) we is touched by the rays of the sun and the lights are splendid!

You will find traces of this hike on the website of Naturellement Périgord (in fr), the Tourist Office for this area. Terre de Causses, it's several hikes in the Cubjac, Brouchaud , Coulaures sector. You are not far from Le Change and Périgueux/Bassillac. Hike N°11 "Boucle des 4 parisiens" which we more or less followed, is attractive because it allows us to gradually show (without great difficulty) towards the plateau of the village of Montagnac d'Auberoche, which will give us a superb point of view.

Note for the respect of everyone: You walk on private land, the owners have authorized the passage of hikers. Be respectful of the paths and markup facilities, stay on the marked areas and take your waste with you. This is an area where hunting is allowed, you will also come across woodpigeons.

Are you looking for another hike near Périgueux? Come walk with us in Trelissac, a stone's throw from the department stores, there is a pretty forest, surprising, exotic, for a nature break after or before shopping!

sponsored content

A loop towards Montagnac d'Auberoche

Leave from Cubjac, it is the easiest place to park your vehicle, even if the hike can start in other places. Study the Topoguide (in fr) of the “Circle of the Four Parishes ”. We advise you to bring good shoes, because the ground, if it is mostly accessible, has parts of low gradients but on unstabilized rocks. Stones can roll, there are roots. Carry water. The markings are well done, there are signs, as well as reminders at intersections and unequivocal crossings, there are also connecting loops (not to be followed if you want to stay on this hike).

The view on the plateau is really beautiful, we see quarries in the distance and continuing we arrive on the road of the crests

At the Lieu-dit and hamlet Balaurand (255 meters above sea level, it's real mountain for the Périgord!!) continuing on the Route des Crêtes, you will enjoy a superb panorama and arrive at the small village of Montagnac D'Auberoche. When the weather is clear and there is little cloudiness, you can see as far as the mountains of Corrèze , some peaks of Monédières ! Stroll through the small town, organized around its Romanesque church of Saint-Marc (classified MH). It dates from the ^12th century and has a pretty wall bell tower with 3 bays where bells were once embedded.

If you like walking and nature, go to our article The Most Beautiful Walks in Périgord, you will find what you are looking for and your next getaway spot.

We leave in the direction of Cubjac to complete the hiking loop, you will now go down. Pay attention to the sometimes unstable ground. The small paths meander between the vegetation and a few dry stone walls, it's really charming with the end of the day light! Raise your eyes towards the causse, from the undergrowth to admire beautiful rock shelters. These shelters were naturally dug by the infiltration of water for millennia, in this limestone rock, which gave way to slowly sculpt these formations. You will find many of them in Périgord Noir, these are the habitats of the beginnings of humanity.

Do you prefer cycling? We also have an article about the best cycling path and good tips for organizing your bike rides in the Dordogne .

While walking in the woods, you may come across a very surprising curiosity! A statue placed respectfully at the crossroads of paths, with a stone bench. It is part of the war memorial of the former École Normale de Périgueux. Just that ! But why ? Dating from June 1921, the statue disappeared in the 1970s, when this school was demolished in favor of the current Michel-de-Montaigne college in Périgueux. It was discreetly stolen and installed here by one of the building contractors on the site. We can assume that he found her so pretty that he regretted her burial and preferred to save her and put her there. It's a beautiful story that gives a bucolic touch to this forest portion! Learn more about this story, thanks to an article from Sud Ouest. (in fr)

sponsored content

The hike is coming to an end, we hope you enjoy this walk, do not hesitate to contact us on our Facebook page of the Guide du Périgord for more details! This hike was carried out in partnership with David Monribot, multi-sport sports educator Explo Nature Évasion(in fr). Contact him for the organization of sporting events, sport and nature entertainment for all ages, coaching, adventure courses...

Back to "Sport"