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Aquitaine Local Reference INFOrmation
Information on hiking, biking, canoeing, surfing and horse riding in the hills and coast of south-western France. With contact details of regional sport and activity associations.
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There is an endless supply of activities for the adventurous and much useful information available. The Atlantic coast makes Aquitaine an ideal place for all water sports: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, windsurfing and fishing. The varied landscapes throughout the region make it a paradise for lovers of walking, climbing, horse riding, cycling and mountain-biking. Most tourist offices have information brochures in English and several of the Tourist Offices have websites with details on activities in each area.
Hiking and WalkingWith its varied landscapes Aquitaine is very well suited for walking and hiking. Dordogne has almost 6,000 Km of marked walking trails, Gironde 2,300 Km, Lot-et-Garonne 3,000 Km, the Landes 2,000 Km and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques 5,000 Km. Hiking areas include the Bay of Arcachon and the Regional Nature Park in the Landes de Gascogne. For more difficult hiking trips the Basque country in the Pyrénées are very popular. One of the best known hiking trails is the GR10, a route from the west coast through the Pyrénées to the Mediterranean. The Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pedestre (FFRP) is the overseeing body for all marked and maintained walking routes in France. It provides information and guide-books (most in French) for walkers in the area. Top 25 hiking maps issued by the Institut Géographique National (IGN) are available from newsagents (presse) and bookshops. All nationally recognised trails are categorised as follows:
The French route marking system shows paths by means of signs and blazes.
Local walking committees are able to provide a number of useful walking guidebooks. Contacts
Cycling & Mountain BikingAquitaine has a regional development scheme with the aim of developing over 2,000 Km of maintained cycle routes. On top of this there are over 2,000 Km of mountain biking tracks that are signposted and show the levels of difficulty. The very first cycling resort was created in the Entre-Deux-Mers region at Créon along the Roger Lapébie track. This centre rents out cycling equipment. Places to cycle in the region include the Valley of Humanity in the Dordogne, alongside the Atlantic Ocean and through the Bordeaux vineyards as well as the mountain biking trails in the Pyrénées. Canoeing and KayakingPopular areas for canoeing and kayaking include the Dordogne and Garonne rivers as well as the popular white waters of the Pyrénées. There are facilities for canoeing for all levels of ability – from beginners to expert. Kayaking is also possible along the Atlantic coastline. Navigable rivers for canoeing and kayaking are classified into six grades, Classes I to VI. There are many organisations providing training, transport and equipment for trips, either one day or several. The sport is monitored by the Fédération Française de Canoë-Kayak (FFCK). It has information on appropriate rivers and expert guides, where available. Contacts
CanyoningCanyoning is allowed in the summer only, generally 1 April to 31 October. All
the skills of caving, diving and climbing are necessary to practice this sport.
Mountaineering and ClimbingRock climbing areas in Aquitaine include les Falaises de Tautavel in Arguibelle, Le Céou, the Campagne de la Bugue and the Val de Dronne in the Périgord. Professional guides are available and recommended in most areas. They should hold a diploma from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and a qualification from the Mountaineering and Rock-climbing Federation, the Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade (FFME). Information (in French) is available on the grade, training options and availability of guides from the FFME.
Caving and PotholingFor those who want to practice caving, the Dordogne is an ideal region. It is advisable to join a club or hire a guide and special equipment and training is required. More information on caving and potholing activities from:
Horse-RidingThe Aquitaine region has over 8,500 Km of sign posted tracks for riders and over 150 places for accommodation that are specifically for horseback tourism. The wide-open spaces in Aquitaine and the beaches of the Landes coast and the Medoc as well as the small towns of the Lot-et-Garonne, the Pyrénées and the Périgord make excellent riding environments.
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