Foncouverte Waterfall

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A family hike that allows you to discover the beautiful Fontcouverte waterfall in a short round trip.

Details

n°158414
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 24 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 24 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,861 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,834 m
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Photos

Foncouverte Waterfall
Fontcouverte Waterfall
La Clarée
Second waterfall

Description of the walk

The departure point is at the Chalets de Fontcouverte, on the D301T road, about 6.5km after Névache. Cross the Clarée and park just after, opposite the campsite.

The hike begins between the bridge and the Fruitière refuge. Follow the path on the downstream side, which runs along the right bank of the Clarée. When it turns left, continue a few metres to reach the waterfall.

(1) Leave the start on your right and continue down a small, steeper and less marked path to the bottom of the second small waterfall.

(2) Return via the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,858 m - Fontcouverte chalets - Clarée (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 1,850 m - Cascade de Fontcouverte
  3. 2 : km 0.5 - alt. 1,834 m - Bottom of the second waterfall
  4. S/E : km 1.01 - alt. 1,858 m - Fontcouverte chalets

Notes

In wet weather, the small path is slippery to descend after the first waterfall (between (1) and (2)).

From early July to late August, motor vehicle traffic is restricted in the upper Clarée Valley. The road is closed to uphill traffic from Névache between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (closed before 10 a.m. if the Fontcouverte and Laval car parks are full). To reach these valleys, a convenient shuttle service runs every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every year during the summer season.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
guidez
guidez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy and scenic walk

Family-friendly

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Ecologilles13
Ecologilles13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk along the river to the waterfall, which has plenty of water at this time of year. Reminiscent of Canadian prairies.

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Patm
Patm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty waterfall

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AnnickDaniel50
AnnickDaniel50
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Of course, you can't visit the Clarée Valley without seeing the Fontcouverte waterfall.
We went there early in the morning, which is what we did. At 8 o'clock, we had the waterfall all to ourselves! It was great for taking photos and videos because the "path" isn't very wide. I can't imagine what it must be like in the afternoon, as it's very popular.
Then, carefully making your way down, partly on the road and partly on "wild" paths through a small meadow, you will reach the other bank of the Clarée, where you can admire two smaller waterfalls that are just as interesting. A little corner of paradise!

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RPodor
RPodor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short evening stroll to warm up before the long hikes of the following days. A beautiful waterfall that is well worth seeing and allows you to discover a tiny part of the Clarée Valley.

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mauricejeannine
mauricejeannine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, The route indicated starts at the Foncouverte car park. You have missed the beautiful route that starts in Névache. From Névache (upper town), allow for a 12km round trip and a 250m elevation gain. From Roubion, where we are staying, add about 4.6 km, for a total round trip of 16.6 km and a walking time of 4.5 hours, but it's a great place to spend a day: the waterfall is magnificent and afterwards you can have a picnic on the banks of the Clarée. A lovely route to warm up your legs before longer hikes, especially if, like us, you're coming from Brussels and are over 70 years old.

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erbalunga
erbalunga

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike, especially with snowshoes. Thanks to Visorando.

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