Our take
A waterfall in the very heart of a national nature reserve, in the glacial valley of Chaudefour, the one with the Dent de la Rancune and the Crête de Coq.
A waterfall in the heart of the Chaudefour valley national nature reserve, a glacial valley in the Sancy: 2 to 3 hours there and back on foot.
A waterfall in the Réserve naturelle nationale de la vallée de Chaudefour, in the commune of Chambon-sur-Lac. It lies at the bottom of the valley, one of the three glacial valleys of the Sancy massif. Allow 2 to 3 hours there and back from the Maison de la Réserve, on foot only, on a waymarked path.
Why we love it
- The Dent de la Rancune and the Crête de Coq, volcanic dykes of the valley
- A nature reserve path, waymarked, 2 to 3 hours there and back
Top tip
Dogs are not allowed in the reserve, even on a lead. Stay on the waymarked paths. For strong walkers: open from 1 May to 31 October, the waymarked loop of the Chaudefour valley (15.5 km, 935 m of ascent, very difficult) also passes by the waterfall. Avoid it after thunderstorms, the ground is slippery.
Before you go
- Closed shoes, the ground can be slippery after thunderstorms.
- Dogs are not allowed in the Chaudefour nature reserve, even on a lead.
- The path starts at the Maison de la Réserve de Chaudefour.
- Start from the Maison de la Réserve, on foot only
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
8°/3°
10 mm · 49 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/3°
dry · 24 km/h
Tue 27
15°/9°
0 mm · 35 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
- Réserve naturelle nationale de la vallée de Chaudefour, Chaudefour, 63790 Chambon-sur-Lac, France
63790 Chambon-sur-Lac
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 28 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want a waterfall in a nature reserve, at the end of a 2 to 3 hour round trip
- You already do some walking: it's a half-day outing, not a stop on the way
- You like the feel of a glacial cirque
Give it a miss if
- You're heading out after a thunderstorm: the ground becomes slippery
- You like going off the paths: here, sticking to the waymarked route is the rule
Your logbook
Around Cascade de la Biche
12 spots in and around Chambon-sur-Lac, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Mémé Joe
4.8Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 2.1 km away
€€La Table de l'Ours
4.4Le Mont-Dore · 2.6 km away
Le Borsalino
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 5.6 km away
Where to stay nearby
€Résidence Le Bois de la Reine
4.0Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 3.1 km away
Domaine Volcaflore
4.5Saint-Victor-la-Rivière · 5.1 km away
Les Chalets du Sancy
4.5Chambon-sur-Lac · 5.4 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Trail running
On footWorth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Guide
Auvergne gratuit · 27 activités à 0 € pour visiter sans dépenser
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Hikes around Cascade de la Biche
Trail runningOn foot
On footFrom Chastreix village to the glacial valley
Start: Parking à côté de l'église, au centre du bourg
- 18.3 km
- +535 m
- 5 h 30 min
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