Travel in Auvergne
Waterfalls

Cascade de la Louade

3.7(7 Google reviews)Chadron, Haute-LoireFree

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Our take

The Cros stream drops nearly 15 m and has carved the Gour de l'Oula at its foot, a natural pothole. The waymarked loop that leads there crosses plateaux and woods before a viewpoint with a full-frame view of the falls.

The editors · Teddy L.How we choose our places
  • Allow 2 h to 3 h
  • Best season: spring, summer, autumn
  • In spring or after a few days of rain
  • Free
  • For a fine day
The guide that goes with itLes plus belles cascades d'Auvergne

A drop of nearly 15 m on the Cros stream, a pool steeped in legend and a 7.5 km loop starting from Le Crouzet, in Chadron.

The Cros stream winds across the volcanic plateau of Saint-Martin-de-Fugères and joins the Gazeille valley after barely three kilometres. On the way, it drops nearly 15 metres.

At the foot of the falls, erosion has carved the Gour de l'Oula, the “cooking pot” in Occitan. Legend has it that a shepherd dived in, spent the night in caves at the bottom, then climbed back out the next day, guided by the light of the sun.

You reach it on the Cascade de Louade walk (PR697), a 7.5 km loop starting from the hamlet of Le Crouzet, in Chadron. Allow 2 hours, a ford crossing and a viewpoint that rewards the walk. Stay there, getting close to the falls is risky.

Why we love it

  • The Cros stream dropping nearly 15 metres
  • The Gour de l'Oula at the foot of the falls, the pothole carved by erosion
  • The legend of the shepherd who is said to have spent the night in the caves at the bottom
  • The viewpoint that opens full-frame onto the falls

Top tip

The viewpoint comes at the end of the loop, just after a ford crossing on the stream: after heavy rain, bring shoes that can handle water.

Before you go

  • In spring or after a few days of rain, when the little Cros stream is flowing.
  • The start is at the hamlet of Le Crouzet, in Chadron: the Cascade de Louade walk (PR697) loops for 7.5 km, allow 2 hours.
  • There is a ford crossing on the stream: after heavy rain, bring shoes that can handle water.
  • The viewpoint over the falls comes at the end of the loop: the reward has to be earned.
  • Stay at the viewpoint, getting close to the falls is risky.

Weather for the next 3 days

  • Today

    14°/5°

    dry · 20 km/h

  • Tomorrow

    15°/1°

    dry · 8 km/h

  • Tue 27

    21°/8°

    dry · 11 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 Louade, 43150 Chadron, France
43150 Chadron
Route

What visitors say

3.7/ 5

Google rating

Average of 7 reviews on Google Maps.

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Where to eat close by

L'atelier divin : restaurant et cave à vin

L'atelier divin : restaurant et cave à vin

4.9

Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille · 4.4 km away

Where to stay nearby

Hôtel de la Loire

Hôtel de la Loire

4.3

Goudet · 5.1 km away

Hikes nearby

Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.

Hikes around Cascade de la Louade

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