The Dordogne Gorges
Description
Discover the wild world of the Dordogne gorges and the history of the gabares with this challenging circuit.Red markers.Take the track towards the orientation table.Leave the path on the left (the steep and wooded slopes of the gorges offer birds of prey exceptional nesting sites which are protected under Natura 2000), and continue on the track (orientation table on the right).Ignore the path to the right and continue along the track.At the crossroads, continue along the track to the right. It runs alongside a pond and climbs to Dillanges. Turn right and continue along the road that goes through the hamlet (the roofs covered with stone tiles, the interlinked houses, the outbuildings and the four-sided roofs are reminiscent of the Xaintrie region located on the other side of the Dordogne). Turn right onto the Roc-Grand forest track.Keep to the right and continue until you reach the loop at the end of the track.Continue straight on along the path that leads to the lookout at Roc-Grand (it dominates the Dark and the Chastang reservoir; observation point for peregrine falcons and ravens), then return to the loop.Take the path to the left. It descends the steep slopes of the Dordogne gorges. Cross the stream over the footbridge, and continue alongside the Chastang reservoir, set in a delightful wood. On the right, the small stone buildings located next to the charcoal kilns testify past activities in the gorges of the Dordogne; An intriguing shrub borders the path. It has an oval and pointed leaf and a round, red fruit: this is the brittle holly. Cross the talweg and climb the slope.Take the track to the left, pass the orientation table and join the path at the junction of your outward journey.Turn right onto the path. It runs along the edge of a beech wood. At the intersection, continue into the beech wood and arrive at the chapel of La Chapeloune. Take the D13 on the left to find the starting point.
Technical informations
9.5 km
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max. 542 m
min. 258 m
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Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Microcentrale
Le Paysage s’ouvre sur l’immense retenue d’eau qui couvre plus de 700 ha et alimente le dernier des grands barrages de la Dordogne, le Chastang. A une autre échelle, en contrebas du belvédère, est installée la microcentrale de la Sombre. Une conduite forcée achemine l’eau du plateau jusqu’à une turbine 170 m plus bas. Cette installation est privée.
Les Gabariers
La Dordogne était une voie commerciale privilégiée pour rejoindre Bordeaux et le littoral atlantique. De grands bateaux à fond plat, adaptés au cours tumultueux et dangereux de la rivière, transportaient des bois (merrains pour la confection de tonneaux, charbon...) pendant la très courte période de crue, en automne ou au printemps où l’eau est dite « marchande ». L’équipage des gabariers se lançait alors dans une descente étourdissante, entre tourbillons, rapides et rochers.
Roc Grand
Surplombant le ruisseau de la Sombre et la retenue du Chastang, le belvédère Roc grand offre un panorama exceptionnel.Falaises et rochers environnants offrent le gite pour deux oiseaux habitués de ces milieux rupestres, le Faucon pèlerin (Falco peregrinus) et le Grand corbeau (Corvus corvax).
Charbonnier
De grandes placettes circulaires, aplanies, bordent le chemin, ce sont des Charbonnières.Cette activité, datant principalement du XIX ème siècle, consistait à construire une meule de pièces de bois et de la recouvrir de terre.Un feu à l’étouffé était allumé au cœur de la meule. Cette lente combustion permettait de produire du charbon de bois. Ce charbon était acheminé par les gabarres vers la ville de Bordeaux pour les industries utilisant le feu (verrerie, forge ...)
Chapelle de la Chapeloune
Cette petite chapelle du XVIIIème siècle est dédiéeà la Sainte Vierge. Elle abrite deux statues en bois représentant la Vierge et l’enfant Jésus.
Points of interest
The Gabariers
The Dordogne was a favoured commercial route to Bordeaux and the Atlantic coast. Large flat-bottomed boats, called garbariers, well-adapted to the turbulent and dangerous course of the river, carried wood (staves for barrel making, coal, etc.) during the very short flood period, in autumn or spring when the water is referred to as "marketable". The crews of the gabariers then embarked on a dizzying descent, among whirlpools, rapids and rocks.
Roc Grand
Overlooking the stream at Le Sombre and the Chastang reservoir, the Roc Grand belvedere offers an exceptional panoramic view. Cliffs and surrounding rocks offer a holiday home for two bird species accustomed to these rocky environments, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the Great Raven (Corvus corvax).
The charcoal burners
Once past the bridge, some remains bear witness to the story of the Charbonniers, the charcoal burners, in the Luzège valley. We can distinguish the ruins of a charcoal kiln (4 m long by 2 m wide) and, below it, two charcoal platforms. There are also traces of a water supply canal that facilitated life in the cabin, and the charcoal burning work, particularly to extinguish embers during the recovery of the charcoal and its bagging. (Romain Rouaud 2013)
The Chapel of the Chapeloune
This small 18th century chapel is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It houses two wooden statues representing the Virgin and the baby Jesus.
Additional information
Advised parking
Parking area at the beginning of the Chapeloune forest trail, south of the hamlet
Advice
The descent of the Roc Grand and the ascent of the slope of La Chapeloune are very steep and slippery. This circuit is not recommended during rainy periods
Access
3.9 km from Saint Merd de Lapleau, take the D13 towards Auriac, go through the hamlet of La Chapeloune, and park next to the track, 50 m to the left.
Ambiance
Immerse yourself in the glorious greenery of the gorges and walk alongside the Chastang reservoir in an area full of natural charm. Stone dwellings and charcoal burners’ platforms bear witness to vanished activities and the transport of goods on flat-bottomed boats called Gabares.
Arrival
Parking area at the beginning of the Chapeloune forest trail, south of the hamlet
Departure
Parking area at the beginning of the Chapeloune forest trail, south of the hamlet
