Direct access to the Grande Cascade

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The beginning, with the steps, is a little difficult, but the rest is really calm in the middle of nature, surrounded by magnificent gigantic trees, not forgetting that there are the sounds of the city to remind us that we're close to it. Further on, we see the city below in a bowl, and the sounds of nature have completely taken over, making it relaxing.

Details

n°10855165
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 255 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 251 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,278 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,046 m
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Photos

The great waterfall
The Grande Cascade du Mont dore
Direct access to the large waterfall

Description of the walk

Start: Parking along Avenue Georges Clémenceau (opposite Hôtel le Régis). Other pay and display car parks are available in town.

(S/E) Follow the avenue in the direction of the Spa (Thermes du Mont Dore).
At the entrance to the second car park, turn right onto Rue des Déportés, then right up the stairs.

(1) At the top of the stairs, turn right until you reach the D36.

(2) Cross the road and turn left onto the signposted path. After 100 m, continue uphill on the right. After a few hairpin bends, reach the Grande Cascade with its 35m waterfall.

(3) At the foot of the waterfall, you can climb over some wet, slippery stones to get behind the waterfall.
Then turn around and return to the car park (S/E) by the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,051 m - Avenue Georges Clémenceau
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 1,094 m - Top of stairs
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 1,119 m - D 36
  4. 3 : km 1.75 - alt. 1,278 m - The Grande Cascade
  5. S/E : km 3.51 - alt. 1,051 m - Avenue Georges Clémenceau

Notes

Start & Parking: Parking along Avenue Georges Clémenceau (opposite Hôtel le Régis). Other pay and display car parks are available in town.

Worth a visit

Magnificent view of the city.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 29 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
lia.zazou@gmail
lia.zazou@gmail
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Enjoy your walk without any difficulties.

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User 27450539

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Fine

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User 5291070

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, but very busy.
The scenery is beautiful, with a large waterfall that is well worth seeing.
Suitable for children

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Corinne33
Corinne33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike started off quite difficult (climbing) but then became very pleasant

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User 26681816

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk, well-maintained trail and magnificent waterfall!... Easy to do with the family.

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Geekgirl78
Geekgirl78

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

magnificent waterfall at the end, but quite a climb
i recommend continuing a little further, walking along the left side of the waterfall via some steps to reach the plateau (just 15 to 20 minutes' extra walking), where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Puy de Sancy and the Capucin

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User 12450867

Beautiful hike and magnificent waterfall
Thank you

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Crapahuteur54
Crapahuteur54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant little course. Magnificent waterfall. Thank you very much.

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GérardPierre67
GérardPierre67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The access stairs are in a deplorable and dangerous state, especially at the beginning. On the way back, I preferred to continue along the Melchi Rose path and descend via the Chappes path. It takes a bit longer, but the descent is less dangerous.

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myradon72
myradon72

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A must when you're in Mont Dore. An easy walk (for those who are not used to hiking, bring walking sticks). Round trip, but you can also join the GR4.

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Mary1811
Mary1811

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice little hike starting from Le Mont Dore. No difficulties to report. However, the route is very busy and there are lots of people at the waterfall. Don't hesitate to climb a little higher to enjoy the view of Mont Dore and the valley.

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nadichamau
nadichamau
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk above Le Mont Dore. The waterfall is very beautiful. You absolutely must continue for a few hundred metres after the waterfall, despite the steepness of the path, which can be impressive, for a very fine view of Mont Dore and its valley.

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Blp69
Blp69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very, very pleasant hike with a beautiful waterfall and lots of water. The access near the waterfall is very slippery but don't hesitate to climb a little higher to get a magnificent view of the town of Mont-Dore.

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Gwadaben
Gwadaben

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant outing, beautiful waterfall, wide trail, quiet 2-hour round trip...

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Jacky BOURGAULT
Jacky BOURGAULT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The start of the Mont-Dore hike is quite tough (high steps and not very well maintained). You can take another staircase a little higher up or take the road to catch up with the circuit halfway up. The return journey is easier via these 2 alternative routes. There are several paying car parks in Mont-Dore from April to October inclusive (in 2002, October was free). From November to March, the car parks are all free.
In any case, a must-do if you're passing through Le Mont-Dore to discover a magnificent waterfall.

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