q   Day 1: Arrive at the tiny village of Sarrazac, deep in a green valley on the edge of the Causse de Martel. 

q Day 2: Sarrazac to Meyssac. 17km Near the half-way point is the picturesque village of Turenne, with its famous castle towering over the surrounding countryside. The dark red sandstone of Collonges' mullioned windows and towers is a stunning sight, as you approach it in the afternoon. We use a comfortable hotel of the same attractive stone in nearby Meyssac or occasionally a Chambre d’Hote in quiet countryside just South of Collonges.

q Day 3: Meyssac to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne 22km. Over undulating country to Curemonte, a mediaeval village where the writer Colette once lived. The day ends with a long descent of an ancient cobbled mule-track leading into Beaulieu. Don't miss the abbey church with its magnificent doorway. A footbridge links Beaulieu with the further bank of the Dordogne, where there are tennis courts and a swimming pool. 

q Day 4: Beaulieu to Port de Gagnac, 17km. Great views as you climb out of the Dordogne Valley on the GR 480. From the crest the route descends through splendid mixed woodland of chestnut, oak and conifers, past a trout farm to the valley of the River Cere. One or two short sections of the days walk are little frequented and may be rather overgrown in summer. The village of Gagnac (1.5km) is worth a visit, particularly if you are lucky enough to find the church open; we include details of the key-holder in the route notes. 

q Day 5: Port de Gagnac to Autoire, 15km. A walk through mixed farming country and the one serious wine-growing district on the tour (Glanes). It is a surprise to stumble upon the dramatic red bulk of Castelnau Castle, built on a shoulder of red ironstone. The village of Autoire and its 'gentilhommieres' or manorial houses are unforgettable. Occasionally the day continues to Loubressac (20km). 

q Day 6: Autoire to Carennac 15km/19km. After a steep ascent past the limestone crags of the Cirque d'Autoire the next hour is spent crossing a typical causse plateau of oak scrub and dry-stone walls to the village of Loubressac with its broad panorama. The shorter option then follows the edge of the scarp past the ruined castle at Taillefer to Carennac. The longer option diverts to take in the Gouffre de Padirac where a huge gulf in the limestone plateau opens into a most interesting cave system incorporating a 1km trip on an underground river. The day ends with a sharp descent to Carennac on the banks of the Dordogne. 

q Day 7: Carennac to Creysse. 20km. A walk along the heights, with views over the Dordogne river, then close below the limestone cliffs overhanging the tiny village of Gluges, before crossing farmland to the ancient village of Creysse, clustered around a little rocky hill crowned by an ancient twin-aisled church. 

q Day 8: Departure from Creysse.

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q Day 8: Creysse to Sarrazac 19km. The day starts gently, heading north along a pleasant valley, before ascending steeply onto the limestone plateau or Causse de Martel. Martel retains its covered market square and the house is still visible where Henry II’s son, Henry Court-Mantel (so called from the new short cloak he made fashionable) died of his wounds after sacking Rocamadour in 1183. The route continues through scrub oak and along rocky paths to the tiny old village of Sarrazac. 

q Day 9: Sarrazac to Collonges la Rouge 18km. Passing through the ancient village of l'Hopital St Jean (the site of a mediaeval leper hospital), your walk takes in Turenne, the former capital of the region, its houses straggling picturesquely down from the ruined castle. Woods and rolling farmland lead to the glowing red turrets and Romanesque church of Collonges la Rouge. The small town of Meyssac, also mostly of fine red sandstone, is some 2 km further on.

q Day 10: The tour ends after breakfast at Meyssac or Collonges. Depart for the train station and then on to the airport.