Name: Gouffre de Padirac
Rating: 2

Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Caves

France

Occitania

Gourdon

Padirac

Gouffre de Padirac

Discover

Places to see

Caves

France

Occitania

Gourdon

Padirac

Gouffre de Padirac

Recommended by 35 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy

Save

Location: Padirac, Gourdon, Occitania, France

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Gouffre de Padirac

4.6

(14)

hikers

1. Château des Anglais d'Autoire – Loubressac Village loop from Autoire

17.1km

04:53

360m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.5

(11)

hikers

2. Autoire Waterfall – Château des Anglais d'Autoire loop from Padirac

17.4km

05:04

390m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

4.8

(5)

hikers

3. Lac des Gours – Gouffre de Padirac loop from Padirac

21.5km

05:51

310m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Expert

Tips

Karsten S.

September 16, 2019

The Gouffre and about 1 km of the underground cave system are open from late March to early November of a year at daytime, sometimes even in the evening, for visitors. For the descent into the Gouffre a steel tower with 455 steps was built. There are also two elevators available. At the foot of the Gouffre a ramp leads over the debris cone to a depth of 103 m and then through the eroded tube of the river. From a concrete pier, visitors to the caves will continue for 500m on barges along the up to 4m deep river, bordered by rock, to a crevasse where the cave expands. Guided cave tours take secured steps through the 94m high Salle du grand Dôme, the Salle des Grands Gours with large sinter basins and a 40m high and 6m wide stalagmite and a 25m long, 4m thick stalactite that touches the surface of the river. About 1.5 km from the entrance ends the sightseeing opportunity. Rear areas of the cave are open to scientists only for research purposes

Translated by Google •

Paul Carnet-Pantiez

September 7, 2024

The Gouffre de Padirac is one of the most spectacular and iconic sites in the Occitanie region, located near the town of Padirac in the Lot department. It is an impressive underground cavity, known for its unique geological formations and vast galleries.

Points of Interest in the Gouffre de Padirac:

Geological Formation:

Natural Chasm: The Gouffre de Padirac is a large natural cavity, created by the erosion of limestone rock. It measures approximately 35 meters in diameter and reaches a depth of 103 meters.

Underground River System: In addition to the chasm, the site includes an underground river system that visitors explore by boat, offering a unique perspective on the rock formations.

Guided Tour:

Exploration by Boat: Visitors descend into the chasm by a staircase and then take a boat to navigate the underground river. This part of the tour allows you to discover impressive formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.

Walking Tour: Walking passages allow you to explore other parts of the chasm, offering views of unique geological formations and impressive rooms such as the “Grande Pendeloque Room”.

Underground Attractions:

Grand Dôme Room: A vast underground room with a spectacular ceiling, where the size and height add to the impression of immensity.

Beauty Cave: A section of the chasm known for its particularly elegant and elaborate rock formations.

Translated by Google •

K2000

July 4, 2021

One of the most impressive caves I have visited.

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 340 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 24 September

11°C

9°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Padirac, Gourdon, Occitania, France

Gouffre de Padirac

1. Château des Anglais d'Autoire – Loubressac Village loop from Autoire

2. Autoire Waterfall – Château des Anglais d'Autoire loop from Padirac

3. Lac des Gours – Gouffre de Padirac loop from Padirac

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️