Saute Aure Waterfall

A hike accessible to young and old alike, which leads to the foot of a beautiful waterfall... It is not uncommon to encounter marmots and sheep (accompanied by their shepherd and dogs). It is at its most beautiful in autumn or after heavy rain. It is possible to turn around and go the other way!

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Kids en Dévoluy

Details

n°1390104
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 738 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 719 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,240 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,534 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Col du Festre.

(S/E) Set off northwards, then turn left onto the wide, signpostedGR®® path (white and red) which heads west towards the Col des Aiguilles.

(1) Ignore the return path on the right and carry on straight ahead.

(2) After passing through the gate and closing it behind you, leave theGR®® and take the yellow-marked path on the right. Follow it until you can see the Cabane de la Rama (sheepfold).

(3) Cross the stream (which is very often dry); the path continues on the other bank, leaving the shepherds and their flocks in peace!

(4) From there, veer left to approach the foot of the waterfall without disturbing any flocks of sheep that may be present.
Turn back to return to the junction with the small path
(4) Continue along the wide path marked in yellow, which descends eastwards and leads to a crossroads (elevation 1382). Chateau-Roland

(5) Take a moment to admire the small waterfall on your left and carry on along the path.

(6) Turn right, heading due south; the path is clearly marked. When you reach the hamlet, pass between two buildings and reach the small access road.

(7) Follow the road to the right, then leave it to take a path on the right which heads south and rejoins the junction where you started.

(1) Turn left, then right onto the road to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,718 ft - Col du Festre
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 4,741 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.75 - alt. 4,980 ft - °°PR®°° trail on the right
  4. 3 : mi 1.2 - alt. 4,951 ft - Crossing the stream (when it’s dry!)
  5. 4 : mi 1.4 - alt. 5,105 ft - Turn left towards the foot of the waterfall
  6. 5 : mi 2.37 - alt. 4,839 ft - A little waterfall!
  7. 6 : mi 2.98 - alt. 4,537 ft - Château Roland. Turn right onto the wide path
  8. 7 : mi 3.48 - alt. 4,603 ft - Les Coutières
  9. S/E : mi 3.96 - alt. 4,721 ft - Col du Festre

Notes

No special equipment required.

(S/E) There is a water source at the Col de Festre, as well as a mountain hut serving drinks and meals.

Worth a visit

(7) If you’re travelling with children, do take a stroll through this hamlet. You’ll come across plenty of farm animals there.
Cheese dairy in Coutières. Yes, really, it’s well worth a visit!
“La Bure” brewery
A short drive will take you to La Joue du Loup (ski resort)... from there, you can head towards La Mère Église or Les Sources des Gilardes!

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
BOB 34
BOB 34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk!

Not to be done in summer as there’s no water at the waterfall

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Jjpjack
Jjpjack

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy and very pleasant walk to enjoy with the family. It’s a shame the waterfall had almost stopped flowing.

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garrigue30
garrigue30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfect

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Jean-Marie GALMES
Jean-Marie GALMES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike with varied scenery.
Short and easy

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gibjacques
gibjacques

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful scenery; the waterfall was dry as there was no water in summer.
Well worth a visit

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Pochapuladenree
Pochapuladenree

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A trip on a grey day, but splendid nonetheless.

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chantalG05
chantalG05

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice route, nice circular, unfortunately unfinished because I had to turn back 1 km from the finish line due to the path being closed off to park the sheep! The sheepdog discouraged me from going through the gate 😉

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Patoche 05300
Patoche 05300

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route. No difficulty. Accessible to all ages with minimal equipment (1 good pair of shoes, water). Not to be done later in the season as you won't see the waterfall. Discover the beautiful landscape of Le Dévoluy.

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diggi
diggi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty discovery near the Col du Festre. Definitely worth visiting in spring when the snow melts, or after heavy rain to see the waterfall flowing. It's a shame that the water pipes for the mountain pasture, which lie on the ground and run down the side of the mountain, spoil the landscape a little.
The view of Dévoluy and Bure is very enjoyable. Informative signs for children enhance the family-friendly route.
We extended the route a little by going to the foot of the waterfall (why stop at the shepherd's hut?) and at the end by passing through the adroit (these wide paths are of little interest, except for walking a little further).

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Pierre Schils
Pierre Schils

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and informative walk

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stjo
stjo

I thought so...

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lucile.mercadal
lucile.mercadal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Yes, indeed, the comment was about the walk to the Col du Noyer.

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stjo
stjo

@lucile.mercadal, could you specify where the Tête du Tourneau is located? I only know of one, near the Col du Noyer. Are you sure you're commenting on the right walk?

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lucile.mercadal
lucile.mercadal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slight variation involves climbing to the summit of Tourneau, which is well signposted on site, with the ascent and descent taking place on magnificent trails

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stjo
stjo

@BLU In general, sheepdogs are well-trained and are not aggressive as long as you do not approach the animals they are responsible for.

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