Travel in Auvergne
Waterfalls

Cascade de Captat

4.8(58 Google reviews)Malbo, CantalFree

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Our take

The Siniq leaps over an 8-million-year-old lava flow, moss covers the rock and a passage slips behind the curtain of water. A spot in the Monts du Cantal that still keeps a low profile.

The editors · Teddy L.How we choose our places
  • Allow 30 min to 1 h 30 min
  • Best season: spring, summer, autumn
  • A summer morning for the coolness
  • Free
  • For a fine day
The guide that goes with itLes plus belles cascades d'Auvergne

On the Siniq, above Malbo, a mossy fall drops into a clear pool. And you can walk behind the curtain of water.

At the bottom of the Siniq valley, above Malbo, the river leaps over an old lava flow and drops into a clear pool. Moss covers the rock, with orange deposits at the foot of the fall. The water comes down from the Monts du Cantal, cold even in summer.

Access is easy: after Malbo, a small road then a track lead to a car park. You walk down through a meadow, and the waterfall (also spelt “Capat”) appears within a few minutes. The tourist office waymarks a loop of about 30 minutes there and back.

The bonus: you can walk behind the curtain of water. The ground there is very slippery, so watch where you put your feet. Going up the stream, a second fall can be seen from above.

Why we love it

  • The passage behind the curtain of water, a few minutes from the car park
  • The moss covering the rock and the orange deposits at the foot of the fall
  • The Siniq clearing an 8-million-year-old lava flow in a single leap
  • The water of the Monts du Cantal, cold even in midsummer

Top tip

Behind the waterfall, the orange earth is very slippery: bring shoes with good grip. Then follow the stream upwards for a few minutes, and a second fall can be seen from above.

Before you go

  • A summer morning for the coolness, or autumn when the foliage of the valley takes on its colours.
  • From the car park, it's downhill all the way to the waterfall: save some energy for the climb back up through the meadow.
  • The waymarked circuit is short: leave time to linger on site rather than leaving straight away.
  • The passage behind the curtain of water is on very slippery orange earth: shoes with good grip make all the difference.

Weather for the next 3 days

  • Today

    10°/3°

    10 mm · 38 km/h

  • Tomorrow

    15°/2°

    dry · 15 km/h

  • Tue 27

    16°/10°

    dry · 22 km/h

Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.

Practical info

Address
Cascade de Captat, 15230 Malbo, France
15230 Malbo
Route

What visitors say

4.8/ 5

Google rating

Average of 58 reviews on Google Maps.

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Around Cascade de Captat

Enough to build your day around this address.

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Where to eat close by

Le Pailherolais

Le Pailherolais

4.8

Pailherols · 6.6 km away

Where to stay nearby

La Maison de Jeanne

La Maison de Jeanne

4.7

Thiézac · 6.0 km away

Auberge des Montagnes

Auberge des Montagnes

4.7

Pailherols · 6.6 km away

Hikes nearby

Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.

On foot
Moderate

Ma montagne

Start: Parking de l’office de tourisme de Pailherols

  • 10.1 km
  • +287 m
  • 3 h 45 min
On foot
Moderate

Grandval loop

Start: Lieu-dit La Dolvadenche, puis parking de Sanissage

  • 5.6 km
  • +330 m
  • 3 h 30 min

Hikes around Cascade de Captat

On foot
Moderate

Ma montagne

Start: Parking de l’office de tourisme de Pailherols

  • 10.1 km
  • +287 m
  • 3 h 45 min
On foot
Moderate

Grandval loop

Start: Lieu-dit La Dolvadenche, puis parking de Sanissage

  • 5.6 km
  • +330 m
  • 3 h 30 min
On foot
Moderate

Ronde des Salilhes

Start: Place de l’église de Salilhes, 15800 Thiézac

  • 7.4 km
  • +384 m
  • 3 h

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