Our take
A free, laid-out site that combines a tiered waterfall, a forest listed as an ENS (Espace Naturel Sensible, a protected natural area; 277 plant species recorded) and the remains of a medieval hamlet, on a loop of about 7 km or a direct 1 km access.
A tiered waterfall tucked away in a wood listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible (a protected natural area), between Trizac and the Col d'Aulac. Direct access, 1 km there and back.
Tucked away in the Bois du Marilhou, between Trizac and the Col d'Aulac, this waterfall takes its name from the river that forms it. The water comes down in several steps under the trees, and you hear it long before you see it.
There are two ways to get there: the direct access, 1 km there and back from the Col d'Aulac road, or the Bois du Marilhou discovery loop, about 7 km, which also passes the Cases de Cotteughes, an abandoned medieval hamlet.
The site is listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible (a protected natural area) and laid out so that you can see the fall safely. Access is free, all year round, as long as snow doesn't get in the way. Wear shoes that grip: the woodland stays damp.
Why we love it
- A tiered fall under the trees, named after the Marilhou, the river that forms it
- The sound of the fall, heard long before you see it
- The Cases de Cotteughes, an abandoned medieval hamlet, on the loop
- A forest listed as an Espace Naturel Sensible (a protected natural area), 277 plant species recorded
Top tip
Take the full loop rather than the direct access: it passes the Cases de Cotteughes, an abandoned medieval hamlet on the moor. Allow about 2 hours 15 of walking for this circuit.
Before you go
- After a few days of rain, when the Marilhou has a good flow.
- The woodland stays damp, so wear shoes that grip.
- In winter, snow can get in the way and make access uncertain.
- The site is laid out so that you can see the fall safely, but it is not accessible by wheelchair.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
9°/3°
10 mm · 33 km/h
Tomorrow
13°/2°
dry · 9 km/h
Tue 27
17°/10°
0 mm · 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
- 6H4Q+6F, 15400 Trizac, France
15400 Trizac
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Around Cascade du Marilhou
Enough to build your day around this address.
A place to see, a night to spend?
Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Trizac. Availability and online booking.
Worth seeing nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On footCases de Cotteughes
Start: Parking aménagé des Cases de Cotteughes, Saint-Vincent-de-Salers, 15380
- 6.5 km
- +211 m
- 2 h 15 min
Mountain bikingLa Planèze (VTT)
Start: Trizac, place de la Bascule au dessus de la station service du Garage
- 21.8 km
- +544 m
- 3 h 30 min
Hikes around Cascade du Marilhou
On footCases de Cotteughes
Start: Parking aménagé des Cases de Cotteughes, Saint-Vincent-de-Salers, 15380
- 6.5 km
- +211 m
- 2 h 15 min
Mountain bikingLa Planèze (VTT)
Start: Trizac, place de la Bascule au dessus de la station service du Garage
- 21.8 km
- +544 m
- 3 h 30 min
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