At Lac du Tolerme, Gorses comes into focus through its specific route options; a picnic area on the peninsula provides another point of interest by the lake. Rural heritage and guided tours of the village offer a cultural perspective on the area. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide whether a particular activity and route length are your priority, or whether you would also like to explore the area's history and cultural landscape.
Routes at Lac du Tolerme
La Tolermoise starts on the shores of Lac du Tolerme, at the arch on the Gorses side. For 2026, mountain biking routes of 40, 32 and 20 km are listed. The distances distinguish the cycling routes by length: 20 km is the shortest option, 40 km the longest, and 32 km falls in between. This lets you choose a route based on the distance you want to cover. Check the distances again for future editions.
As part of La Tolermoise, a 13 km hike follows the same route as the 13 km trail. The hike can be extended to a total of 17 km by adding the 4 km loop around the lake. Two trail routes, of 13 and 17 km, are also organized. Thus, the hike and the trail share the same route for the 13 km option; the 17 km hike, on the other hand, is created by adding the loop around the lake. The 17 km trail route of the same length is also part of the trail options. The distances are from the 2026 event listing; check them again for future editions.
A picnic area by the lake
A shaded picnic area with a barbecue is located on the Lac du Tolerme peninsula in Gorses. It gives you a specific place to take a break when planning your time by the lake, whether you are focusing on the mountain biking routes, a hike or the trail. If you want to plan a stay that includes both activity and a rest, you can include this spot as a dedicated picnic stop by the lake.
Local history and rural heritage
During the Second World War, Gorses was home to a Maquis resistance group based at the Manoir de Lantuéjoul. The rural heritage of Gorses is shaped by rye cultivation and chestnut groves. The Maquis links Gorses to the history of the Second World War, while rye cultivation and chestnut groves define its rural character.
Gorses is included in the guided tours of the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire du Grand Figeac. The programme dates are seasonal. If you would like to fit a guided tour into your stay, check the dates for your chosen period.
Gorses also has natural areas recognized for their ecological importance. Together with its rural heritage and guided tours, this aspect complements the activity options at the lake with nature and culture. When choosing a stay in Gorses, you can weigh up different priorities: routes and distances, local history, or the ecological importance of its natural areas.
Discover more destinations: Leobard, Montbrun, Lascabanes, Brengues, Cardaillac, Pinsac, Saint-Cyprien, Saint-Pierre-Lafeuille.
For the broader travel overview: Lot.
