Our take
No facilities, no crowds: a path that follows the Besque up to granite blocks split by the water. And down below, Prades, its natural beach on the Allier and its cliff of basalt columns.
A series of falls in a granite boulder field, above Prades and the Gorges de l'Allier. A little-known corner that you reach on foot.
La Besque is the stream that rushes down to the Allier above Prades, right in the gorges area. Before it joins the river, it jumps from block to block in a granite boulder field: a mass of granite split into big rocks that the water has carved over time.
To get up there, you follow the stream from the village, cross a footbridge, then the path climbs between ferns and broom, with a steep section before the falls. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to climb, depending on your pace.
It's a corner that has stayed little known, with no facilities. In spring, the water flows strongly and the place comes alive. In summer, the trickle of water keeps a low profile and the rocks put on the show.
Why we love it
- The Besque waterfalls, in the commune of Prades, in the heart of the Gorges de l'Allier
- In Prades, the beach with facilities on the Allier, at the foot of the basalt columns (supervised swimming in summer)
Top tip
Aim for spring or the days after rain: in summer, the flow of the Besque drops sharply and what you mainly see are the granite boulder fields. Bring shoes with good grip, it's slippery.
Before you go
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
14°/7°
dry · 19 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/2°
dry · 9 km/h
Tue 27
22°/9°
dry · 13 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
- 43300 Prades, France
43300 Prades
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Your logbook
Around Cascade de la Besque
2 spots in and around Prades, enough to build your day.
A place to see, a night to spend?
Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Prades. Availability and online booking.
Worth seeing nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
CyclingHikes around Cascade de la Besque
Cycling
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