Mialet: Village Character, Reservoir and Walking Trails

Mialet lies in the southeastern part of the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin. For a trip focused on walking, the village offers several points of interest: its architectural heritage in the village centre, the reservoir with its path and birdwatching, and named hiking routes.

Explore the village on foot

Mialet’s architectural heritage can be explored on foot. Four tree-lined squares structure the village centre and provide several distinct stops on a walk. So the focus is not just on a single building: the layout of the village is also part of the stroll.

At the Hôtel Barby, a carved 15th-century door is part of the architectural heritage. It comes from the former Chapelle Saint Jean. This provenance connects two historic buildings in a visible detail. Visitors can consult a brochure for a tour of the interior of Église Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel. This lets you add a specific focus on architectural history and a church visit to your walk around the village.

Reservoir, waterside path and birdwatching

Retenue de Miallet has been classified as an Espace naturel sensible (ENS) since 1998. Both resident and migratory waterbirds are regularly seen at the lake, and there is an ornithological observatory for birdwatching. This means you can combine a visit to the water with a specific interest in birdwatching.

At Barrage de Miallet, an approximately eight-kilometre surfaced path runs around the reservoir, which you can use on foot or by bicycle. The Boucle de l’Étang de Miallet is also eight kilometres long, is described as an easy circular walk and takes an average of about two and a half hours. This information can help you choose the format: the path at Barrage is notable for its surfaced route and suitability for walking or cycling; for the Boucle, the circular route, difficulty rating and average duration are provided. Check the route details for the Boucle again before setting off.

Walking routes in the surrounding area

If you would like to plan a named stage rather than a circular walk, the La Coquille–Miallet route is part of the Grande Boucle du PNR. Another option for walking is the many sections along the eastern bank of the Haute Vallée de la Dronne, where you can walk freely. The descriptions emphasize different things: a stage on the hiking trail network on the one hand, and free walking along stretches of riverbank on the other.

These options give you a choice of different ways to get around when planning your trip: a walk through the architectural heritage, a loop around the Étang, a surfaced path, a named stage or stretches along the riverbank. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay that includes walks and hikes, you can first decide which of these options best suits your priorities. The village squares and buildings give a visit a different character from the paths by the water; birdwatching adds another specific consideration to your choice.

Discover more destinations: Nantheuil, Larzac, Lamonzie-Montastruc, Saint-Maime-De-Péreyrol, Sainte-Alvère, Sagelat, Badefols-Sur-Dordogne, Marquay.

Back to the main travel overview: Dordogne.