Less than 2 hours from Bordeaux, this wild hike leads to hidden waterfalls

Less than 2 hours from Bordeaux, head to Saint-Mesmin, in the northeast of Dordogne. Here, the Auvézère has carved its way through the landscape, creating dramatic gorges dotted with rapids, rocks, and waterfalls. A nature escape whose highlight is the Saut-Ruban, easily reached on foot from the village.

A hike through the heart of the Auvézère gorges

The scenery stands out from the landscapes traditionally associated with Périgord. Between Savignac-Lédrier and Génis, the Auvézère cuts through unique gorges in the Dordogne, bordered by shale cliffs and sometimes very steep slopes. In places, the drop-offs even reach nearly 150 meters.

From Saint-Mesmin, more than 40 km of marked trails allow you to explore the surrounding area. For a first discovery, the main route leads to the Saut-Ruban waterfall, where the river winds its way between the rocks before cascading down.

Saut-Ruban, the iconic waterfall of Green Périgord

For a short getaway, the Saut-Ruban Loop officially spans 2 km, for approximately 1 hour of hiking. Be warned, however: despite its short distance, the trail is classified as ddifficult due to the uneven terrain and steep slopes. Good shoes are essential, especially since rocks can become slippery.