Gerlette Waterfall and Neurre Pass

Above Malleval-en-Vercors, hike through the woods for a glimpse of the Coulmes Forest and a pretty waterfall.

Details

2134463
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 685 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 676 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,236 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 791 m

Description of the walk

Park in the church square.

(S/E) Head towards the Gerlette waterfall, leaving the cemetery on your right. Follow the yellow and green route, which is fairly easy until you reach the fork in the path at the waterfall.

(1) There is a tiny cave upstream from the path, a natural curiosity along the walk. Continue along the path.

(2) At the bottom of the valley, turn right and follow the Gerlette stream to see the waterfall. Allow 30 minutes for the round trip.
Please note: if it has rained heavily the day before, the fords may be tricky to cross.
The second part of the path to the waterfall is quite steep.

(3) From the Gerlette waterfall, return to the previous fork.

(2) On your return, continue to the right, still on the forest path, which will start to climb a little.

(4) Keep right towards Col de Neurre and continue up the winding path for a few kilometres. You will be able to see the heights of the Gorges du Nan through the trees.

(5) When you arrive at Chez Rochas, follow the red and yellow GRP® markings to the left.
Please note: you can shorten the hike by heading towards La Caille. However, be aware that the marked path is difficult.

(6) At Patte de Poule, continue to the right towards Col de Neurre, "this is the last steep section before the terrain levels out". When you reach the road, turn left, pass in front of a farm (Les Bachieux) and follow a forest track for 50 metres.

(7) Follow the path that branches off to the right towards Col de Neurre and reach the summit of this route.

(8) At Col de Neurre, surrounded by mountain pastures, continue along the path through a meadow, climb over the fence and follow the red and yellow markings to the right.

(9) At Souffle Bise, turn right towards La Caille. Leave the red and yellow markings (no markings). When you reach the road, turn left and follow it to La Servagère, where there is a holiday camp. You will also see a chapel on the left side of the road.

(10) Take a small path on your right. Be careful, it is not very well maintained and easy to miss. At this point, there is a post without a sign on the road.
Continue along this path until you reach a tiny stream (alternative route, see practical information).
Continue along the path to the farm where there are goats and a protective but not aggressive sheepdog, and then climb back up to the road. Simply follow the fence on your left.

(11) Follow the road for about 3km. Turn left at the fork in the road. Follow the red and yellowGRP® markings until you reach your destination. Ignore the path on the right that comes from the Gerlette waterfall.
At this point, you will see a warning about the difficulty of the waterfall trail.

(12) At Carrefour de l'Évêque, take the track that descends to the right to Malleval-en-Vercors.
Just before you reach it, a hiking sign explains why this place is called Carrefour de l'Évêque.
You will arrive behind the church of Malleval-en-Vercors with its adjoining cemetery (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 935 m - Malleval-en-Vercors
  2. 1 : km 1.09 - alt. 864 m - Cave
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 804 m - Gerlette Waterfall round trip
  4. 3 : km 2.06 - alt. 961 m - Cascade de Gerlette
  5. 4 : km 3.28 - alt. 844 m - Picotière
  6. 5 : km 4.7 - alt. 1,054 m - Chez Rochas
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 1,110 m - Crow's feet
  8. 7 : km 5.86 - alt. 1,194 m - Les Bachieux
  9. 8 : km 6.25 - alt. 1,233 m - Col de Neurre (1235m)
  10. 9 : km 6.78 - alt. 1,193 m - Souffle Bise
  11. 10 : km 7.63 - alt. 1,124 m - La Servagère
  12. 11 : km 8.1 - alt. 1,096 m - La Caille
  13. 12 : km 10.64 - alt. 1,029 m - L'Évêque
  14. S/E : km 11.64 - alt. 935 m - Malleval-en-Vercors

Notes

Alternative route:
After the (10), at the tiny stream, before the place called La Caille, follow the stream to reach the top of the Cascade de la Gerlette and pick up the red and yellow markings (be careful, the path is poorly maintained and poorly marked; I couldn't find it, but after talking to the owners of the farm just above, I know it does exist).

There is no drinking water along the route, so remember to bring water with you.
This hike can be done with a dog without any difficulty.
Be careful, in wet weather, walking sticks are a good idea. You may find fallen trees on the paths.

It took me 4½ hours to complete this hike, taking my time.

Worth a visit

(1) A small cave for the curious
(3) A superb waterfall, in my opinion, with a beautiful curtain of water.
(S/E) If you're interested in the history of the Resistance, don't hesitate to take a trip to Malleval.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
bader
bader

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

With this heatwave, the waterfall isn't flowing very well and nature is suffering.
I heard that there was a fire in Choranche, probably caused by a cigarette butt, according to the news. That's the richness of humanity, which is pretty hopeless these days. Where's the awareness?

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jpakiki
jpakiki

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike is interesting on a hot day because it is mostly in thick shade, but at this time of year the water level is low and therefore the waterfall is not very impressive...which is a shame. One detail: the cave between points 1 and 2 is not very visible, and although the path leading to it is fine, it then disappears, making it impossible to reach point 2 for the return journey.

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t.bernollin
t.bernollin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional day. The passages along the Gerlette stream are quite challenging, but frankly, the result is spectacular. At the top of the Neurre Pass, the view is breathtaking. The return trip is quite impressive, passing above the Gerlette waterfall.

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DAVID  jean luc
DAVID jean luc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Access to the waterfall is difficult due to slippery rocks, trees across the path, climbing over rocks, etc.
Then there is a long, steep climb up to the Col de Neurre, which is very tough on the calves!
Apart from these minor difficulties, it is a pleasant hike with beautiful views.

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maraicher69
maraicher69

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Signage is rather poor, as it is faded, non-existent or sometimes bizarre => the Visorando app is essential for finding your way around.
The first part of the route to the Neuree Pass is almost entirely in the shade, which is pleasant in summer.
The climb to the Gerlette waterfall is worth the detour.
The return trip on the road from point 11 to La Lombardière is not very interesting...

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ko-alalou
ko-alalou

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy, shaded and uncrowded circular walk. The return journey along the road can easily be avoided by retracing your steps from the pass and continuing straight on to point 5.

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Eric Martin
Eric Martin

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the woods. Very pleasant in today's sunshine and warm weather.

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Patham
Patham

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start of the walk, including the waterfall and the climb up to the pass, is quite interesting. However, the return from the Neurre Pass to Malleval is a bit tedious, with too much walking on the road. Perhaps a descent from the pass to the Source des Pigeons and a return via La Tonnière would be more interesting? I haven't tried it myself.

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bruno92160
bruno92160

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very beautiful hike for very hot weather, as it takes place mostly in the woods. The path to the waterfall is very pretty, surrounded by moss, but a little tricky as it is quite slippery. Then there is a beautiful view and absolute tranquillity at the Neurre Pass.

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