Our take
The emblematic waterfall of the Sancy massif: a drop of thirty metres at the end of a climb through the forest, with a footbridge and a staircase that then go up to the Durbise plateau.
Above Le Mont-Dore, a waterfall of about 30 metres at the end of a forest path. Open access from 1 April to 14 November.
Above Le Mont-Dore, a stream that comes down from the Durbise plateau tips over the edge and drops about 30 metres onto volcanic rock, before heading to the nearby Dordogne. It is the emblematic waterfall of the Sancy massif.
The classic start is from the centre of Le Mont-Dore, near the bandstand and the thermal baths. You climb through the forest on a stony path waymarked in yellow: allow 5 km and 1 hour 45 there and back. It is short but tough, and the descent is slippery as soon as it has rained. At the foot of the fall, a footbridge and a metal staircase climb to the Durbise plateau. Open access and free of charge.
Two things to know. The site is closed from 15 November to 1 April by municipal order, for safety reasons. And in 2026, from 30 May to 31 October, a flock of sheep guarded by two livestock guardian dogs occupies the area: keep your distance.
Our take: come in spring or after a few days of rain, when the stream is flowing well. The reward at the end of the path is worth every bend.
Why we love it
- Drop of about 30 metres onto volcanic rock
- Forest path waymarked in yellow from Le Mont-Dore
- A footbridge and a metal staircase up to the Durbise plateau, with a view of the Puy de Sancy
- Open access and free of charge
Top tip
At the foot of the fall, do not turn back straight away: the footbridge and the metal staircase climb to the Durbise plateau, with a view of the Puy de Sancy. And note that the site is closed from 15 November to 1 April.
Before you go
- In spring or after a few days of rain, when the stream is flowing well (the site is closed from 15 November to 1 April).
- Park in the centre of Le Mont-Dore: the path starts from the bandstand, near the thermal baths.
- Walking shoes, the path becomes slippery after rain.
- Closed from 15 November to 1 April by municipal order, for safety
- Allow about 1 hour 45 there and back from the bandstand
- In 2026, from 30 May to 31 October, a flock of sheep and two livestock guardian dogs in the area: keep your distance
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
8°/1°
7 mm · 45 km/h
Tomorrow
11°/2°
dry · 16 km/h
Tue 27
15°/9°
dry · 30 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
- La Grande Cascade, 63240 Mont-Dore, France
63240 Le Mont-Dore
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 606 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want a free nature outing around Le Mont-Dore
Give it a miss if
- You are aiming for winter: access is not allowed from 15 November to 1 April
- You plan to go in smart shoes: the path is slippery
Your logbook
Around La Grande Cascade
24 spots in and around Le Mont-Dore, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Le Borsalino
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 1.1 km away
Auberge de la Golmotte
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 2.1 km away
€€La Table de l'Ours
4.4Le Mont-Dore · 2.5 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hôtel Le Castelet
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 1.6 km away
Gîte de la Tâche
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 3.7 km away
Les Chalets du Sancy
4.5Chambon-sur-Lac · 5.2 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Trail running
On footPlateau du Guéry via the Puy Loup
Start: Centre Montagnard Cap Guéry, Col de Guéry, 63210 Orcival
- 13.2 km
- +530 m
- 4 h 30 min
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Guide
Les cascades du Mont-Dore : les 5 chutes à voir et la boucle pour les enchaîner
Cinq cascades autour du Mont-Dore, toutes en accès libre : accès, temps de marche, la boucle Queureuilh, Saut du Loup, Rossignolet et nos conseils pour éviter la foule.
Guide
Le Mont-Dore : les meilleures activités, été comme hiver
Le Mont-Dore, c'est le Puy de Sancy, une vallée pleine de cascades, un funiculaire de 1898 et des thermes. Voici les meilleures activités à y faire, saison par saison.
Guide
Que faire au Mont-Dore quand il pleut : thermes, funiculaire et bons abris
Visite des thermes néo-byzantins, funiculaire de 1898, bowling, taillerie de pierres et repli à La Bourboule : notre programme pour une journée de pluie au Mont-Dore.
Guide
Auvergne en 3 jours : l'itinéraire concret depuis Clermont
Trois jours en Auvergne, c'est court, mais ça suffit pour cocher les essentiels si vous découpez bien. Voici l'itinéraire qu'on conseille à nos amis pour trois jours sur place.
Hikes around La Grande Cascade
Trail runningOn footPlateau du Guéry via the Puy Loup
Start: Centre Montagnard Cap Guéry, Col de Guéry, 63210 Orcival
- 13.2 km
- +530 m
- 4 h 30 min
On footBanne d'Ordanche
Start: Au panneau de randonnée, au bout du parking le long de la route
- 8.5 km
- +488 m
- 3 h
You might also like
More hikes in Puy-de-Dôme and nearby.
Cascade du Gour des Chevaux
4.6La Tour-d'Auvergne · Puy-de-Dôme
83 reviews
Cascade Sainte-Élisabeth
4.3La Tour-d'Auvergne · Puy-de-Dôme
77 reviews
Cascade de la Biche
4.8Chambon-sur-Lac · Puy-de-Dôme
28 reviews
Cascade de Gomot
4.8Saint-Germain-l'Herm · Puy-de-Dôme
18 reviews
Cascade du Saut du Loup
4.2Le Mont-Dore · Puy-de-Dôme
206 reviews
Cascade du Queureuilh
4.7Le Mont-Dore · Puy-de-Dôme
583 reviews
Continue
Do you run La Grande Cascade?
Claim your page to update the details, add your photos and access our editorial feature offers.
- Free for info & photos
- Editorial feature (quote on request)
- Social media sponsorship (40 000+ Instagram and Facebook followers)