Our take
A waterfall that rushes down basalt columns born of a lava flow, and that feeds the highest lake in Auvergne. Sancy geology in the raw.
Above Lac de Guéry, a drop of a dozen metres that tumbles down basalt columns, twenty minutes' walk away.
The Mortes du Guéry stream tumbles a dozen metres down basalt columns, left by a lava flow, before feeding Lac de Guéry. That's what makes the falls special: the water doesn't land on smooth rock, it rushes down columns of stone.
You get there from the car park at the Col de Guéry, on the D983 between Le Mont-Dore and Clermont. You walk along the lake on the path waymarked in blue, the shortcut of the Guéry discovery trail: allow about twenty minutes' walk. When you reach the waterfall, take care, especially with children: the edge of the falls is not protected.
In autumn, the beech wood bordering the lake takes on its colours. In winter, the area is under snow (the Nordic area offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing there): an outing for well-equipped walkers only, and access to the frozen lake is not allowed.
Why we love it
- A drop of a dozen metres rushing down basalt columns
- The Mortes du Guéry stream, which feeds the highest lake in Auvergne
- The autumn colours of the beech wood bordering the lake
- The walk around Lac de Guéry, to add on straight afterwards
Top tip
Park at the Col de Guéry car park (paid in season) and walk along the lake on the path waymarked in blue: the waterfall is about twenty minutes away. Combine it with the walk around the lake.
Before you go
- In autumn, when the beech wood bordering the lake takes on its colours.
- Dogs on a lead around Lac de Guéry.
- Park at the Col de Guéry car park, on the D983 between Le Mont-Dore and Clermont: paid in 2026 from 1 May to 30 September during school holidays, at weekends and on public holidays.
- Walk along the lake on the path waymarked in blue, allow about twenty minutes to the waterfall.
- At the waterfall, keep children close to you: the edge of the falls is not protected. In winter, the area is under snow: good shoes, or turn back.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
8°/1°
4 mm · 39 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/2°
dry · 13 km/h
Tue 27
16°/9°
dry · 31 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
- 63210 Perpezat, France
63210 Perpezat
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Around Cascade des Mortes de Guéry
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to eat close by
Auberge de la Golmotte
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 3.6 km away
Là-Haut
4.8Le Mont-Dore · 4.6 km away
Le Borsalino
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 4.9 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
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
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
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Cascade des Mortes de Guéry
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
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
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