Whether you’re lacing up your hiking boots or oiling your bicycle chain — the Périgord Vert is waiting for you.
In the heart of the rolling and lush green Dordogne, crisscrossed by shaded paths and tranquil rivers, Château le Verdoyer is undoubtedly one of the best starting points for exploring nature on foot or by bike. Suitable for all levels, the region offers breathtaking landscapes, local legends, and a wealth of hidden treasures.
By bike: quiet roads and pure freedom
From the campsite, you can easily access a network of quiet, low-traffic roads that connect the surrounding villages. It is the perfect way to wander through meadows and oak forests at your own pace, with no cars to disturb the peace. This is the Périgord Vert in all its simplicity — and that is saying a lot.
If you prefer a dedicated track, free from the worry of heavy vehicles, the Voie Verte is made for you. Laid out along the former 19th-century railway line connecting Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière to Thiviers, this green corridor of approximately 17 km winds through deciduous forests and the wild valleys of the Côle and the Dronne, offering superb views of the Périgord countryside. Allow about an hour by bike or three hours on foot for the full route.
Note: along the way, take a detour to Saint-Jean-de-Côle, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its half-timbered houses and the Château de la Marthonie. It is an unmissable stop.
The Voie Verte has recently been integrated into the Flow’Vélo, a 400 km cycling route connecting the Île d’Aix (Charente-Maritime) to Thiviers — which continues to expand, with new sections added toward Nontron and the Charente in recent years. In other words, there is plenty here for cycling enthusiasts to dream about.
No bike? No problem. The campsite can help you rent one from Gabriel – Atelier Cycle 24, located in Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière, just a stone’s throw from the start of the Voie Verte.
On foot: 2,000 km of marked trails
The Périgord Vert is also a paradise for walkers. Within the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, there are more than 2,000 km of marked trails winding through hills, forests, and villages. You could enjoy several stays here without ever getting bored.
Wild orchids in the spring, mushrooms in the autumn, frost and winter silence: every season reveals a new side of the region. And if you are looking for an original way to explore, the Park offers audio-guided hikes (the “Randio’guidées“) around Nontron, featuring integrated audio commentary and GPS. It’s a fun way to discover the area with a fresh perspective. More information is available on the park’s website: pnr-perigord-limousin.fr.
The campsite reception is also here to guide you, provide maps, and recommend routes tailored to your current mood.
Our local favorites
From the campsite or in the immediate vicinity, here are three excursions that are truly worth the detour:
Le Saut du Chalard
The ‘Tacot’ Loop and the Cattle Underpass
The Miallet Dam
And if you want to explore further?
The Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park holds many other hidden gems: the Roc Branlant site in Saint-Estèphe, the Saint-Estèphe ponds known as some of the most beautiful in the park, or a visit to Nontron, a town perched above the Bandiat Valley and the birthplace of France’s oldest folding knife. The perfect way to combine culture with fresh air.
Before you set off: charge your phone, bring water (there are no water points along the Greenway), and above all, don’t forget your hiking shoes. They are the only essential—the Périgord Vert will take care of the rest.
