Harrison Barker’s earth trail – Val de Dronne (from Bourdeilles to Brantome)

Continue along the narrow road and take a track on the left, signposted “Les Girards”. At the top of the hill, take the track on the right. The path now follows the GR.
At the crossroads, take the ridge path on the left, then at the next crossroads, cross the small road onto the path opposite. At the end of the track, take the small road on the right, then at the end of the road, take the track on the left, before the house.
It climbs through pine trees to a farm and the hamlet of “Marcheix”.

After the hamlet of “La Chauterie”, take the track on the left, leaving a track on the right as you descend to the road. Cross the road and head towards Valeuil.

Before reaching the village, take a path to the right, the entrance to which is marked by a cross (junction Valeuil straight on (500m).
Go up to a small road and turn left. Go through the Bas Meynaud campsite, then at the crossroads, cross over to take the track opposite. Take the left-hand path (green markings) towards Brantôme.
At the tarmac, at “Labrousse”, take the road on the right, go straight through the hamlet and then find a track on the left that leads into the woods. After 1 km, go past the houses, cross a small road and continue along the track, then come to a new road. Turn right briefly, then left towards Vigonac. Go through the hamlet, leaving the road for a track on the right after the Moulin de Vigonac.
Cross a small road and continue along the track opposite. Head towards the tunnels to cross under the road. At the end of the tunnels, walk along the wetland to the right, then continue along the white path to the intersection in front of the water treatment plant. At the end of the white track, continue straight ahead on the small road to the car parks. Just behind the Vert Galant car park is the monks’ garden and the bend that leads to the abbey.