Our take
The Neuffonds stream tipping over an old lava flow, at the end of a very easy walk with a view of the Sancy massif. In winter, the waterfall freezes.
Above Picherande, the Neuffonds stream tumbles down an old lava flow. Twenty minutes of easy walking to reach the top of the falls.
The Neuffonds stream has cut its way through an old lava flow here. There it tips over in a waterfall before disappearing into the woods, in the commune of Picherande.
From Picherande, take the D203 towards Besse, then the first road on the left after Lac Chauvet, as far as the car park. From there, a very easy walk on fairly flat ground brings you to the top of the waterfall, facing the Sancy massif. Allow about 45 minutes there and back. To reach the foot of the falls, carry on along the path for a kilometre through the woods, and wear sturdy shoes.
You can visit the waterfall in any season: frozen in winter in front of the Monts du Sancy, among meadows of daffodils in spring, cool in summer, in the colours of the woods and peat bogs in autumn.
Why we love it
- The Neuffonds stream tipping over in a waterfall before disappearing into the woods
- An old lava flow carved by the water
- The view of the Sancy massif as you arrive at the top of the falls
- Meadows covered in daffodils in spring
Top tip
The path is part of the PR Lac Chauvet, a 14 km loop starting from Picherande. You can combine the waterfall and the lake in the same day out.
Before you go
- In spring for the daffodil meadows, or in winter when the waterfall freezes in front of the Monts du Sancy.
- Dogs allowed, on a lead.
- From Picherande, take the D203 towards Besse, then the first road on the left after Lac Chauvet, as far as the car park.
- A very easy walk on fairly flat ground brings you above the falls: allow about 45 minutes there and back.
- To go down to the foot of the waterfall, carry on along the path for a kilometre through the woods, in sturdy shoes.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
9°/2°
10 mm · 36 km/h
Tomorrow
11°/1°
dry · 16 km/h
Tue 27
16°/9°
dry · 23 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 de la Barthe, 63113 Picherande, France
63113 Picherande
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Around Cascade de la Barthe
4 spots in and around Picherande, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Mémé Joe
4.8Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 4.5 km away
€€La Table de l'Ours
4.4Le Mont-Dore · 7.4 km away
Where to stay nearby
€Résidence Le Bois de la Reine
4.0Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 4.2 km away
Volcan'Hostel
4.9Picherande · 4.7 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footHikes around Cascade de la Barthe
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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