Our take
A 15-metre fall reached in a few minutes from a car park, a circular basin cut into the granite, a viewing platform and a path from the village that goes past an old mill.
The Burande plunges about fifteen metres into a granite basin, a stone's throw from the village of La Tour-d'Auvergne. Short, easy access.
The Cascade Sainte-Élisabeth is one of the easiest falls to see in the Massif du Sancy: a few minutes' walk from the car park on the chemin de la Chauderie Basse, on the way out of La Tour-d'Auvergne. The Burande, which comes straight down from the massif, tumbles about fifteen metres in four successive leaps before ending its run in a big circular basin carved into the granite.
Two ways to get there. The quick one: on the way out of La Tour-d'Auvergne on the D203 towards Saint-Donat, turn at the Chauderie campsite, park 200 metres further on, and the waterfall is a few minutes' walk away. The pretty one: a waymarked path goes down from the village to La Chauderie, a restored old mill, with signs that tell the story of the river.
A purpose-built viewpoint faces the fall, and a picnic spot lets you stretch out the break. Wear good shoes: the surroundings are slippery, especially after rain. And if you come in spring, the snowmelt from the Sancy swells the Burande, and that is when it gives its all.
Why we love it
- A fall of about fifteen metres in four successive leaps
- A big circular basin carved into the granite
- Round trip in five minutes from the car park
- A purpose-built viewpoint facing the fall
Top tip
On the same Burande, on the other side of the D203, the Cascade du Gour des Chevaux can be visited in five minutes from its own car park. Do both, they complement each other well.
Before you go
- After a few days of rain, when the Burande picks up volume.
- Park on the chemin de la Chauderie Basse, 200 metres after the campsite: the round trip to the waterfall takes about five minutes.
- From the village, prefer the waymarked path that goes past the restored mill of La Chauderie and its signs about the river.
- Stay on the purpose-built viewpoint facing the fall: the rocky surroundings are slippery, especially after rain.
- Aim for spring: the snowmelt from the Sancy swells the Burande and the fall is at its fullest.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
11°/3°
4 mm · 31 km/h
Tomorrow
13°/2°
dry · 11 km/h
Tue 27
17°/11°
1 mm · 20 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 Sainte-Élisabeth, 63680 La Tour-d'Auvergne, France
63680 La Tour-d'Auvergne
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Around Cascade Sainte-Élisabeth
6 spots in and around La Tour-d'Auvergne, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Where to stay nearby
Chambre et table d'hôtes La Burande
4.9La Tour-d'Auvergne · 2.3 km away
€€€Cabanes des Volcans
4.4La Tour-d'Auvergne · 4.6 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footHikes around Cascade Sainte-Élisabeth
On footOn 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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