Alloix waterfalls from Montalieu

de fr

This is a short, unusual walk that follows the Alloix torrent. Curious walkers will spend more time admiring the work of the water than walking. This walk can end with a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the old village or, as the locals say, "on the paths of yesteryear", where local markings will guide you.

Details

n°157334
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 376 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 376 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 684 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 323 m
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Back to Montalieu

Description of the walk

On the D9 between Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze and the hamlet of Montalieu, there are several parking options: the swimming pool, the campsite, or the car park indicated at the end of a bend (around ten spaces).

(S/E) From the car park, take Rue de la Croix Blanche to reach the Ruisseau d'Alloix

(1). Go up the valley on the left, and the path will cross from one bank to the other via wooden footbridges. This will take you to the Alloix waterfall

(2). Keep going on the path and continue up the stream; there are a few more exposed sections along the way, but they're equipped with cables to make it safer and easier to get through. This will take you to the Grande Cascade halfway up

(3). Taking advantage of an overhang, the trail passes behind the Grande Cascade. Continue climbing along the foot of the cliff. You will pass near the start of a via ferrata. Reach an intersection (sign).

(4) Take the path that descends to the right and quickly turns into a beautiful, comfortable trail. After a long, gentle descent, the trail crosses the road and, 100 m further on, turns right.

(5). Continue down the path and return to the village.

Explore the village of Montalieu at your own pace; the Alloix stream is never far away and will easily lead walkers back to the starting point.

(1) Return to the nearby car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 357 m - Parking On the D9
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 371 m - At the edge of the stream
  3. 2 : km 0.86 - alt. 464 m - La Gouille Michel
  4. 3 : km 1.62 - alt. 610 m - Grande Cascade
  5. 4 : km 1.91 - alt. 661 m - Intersection with the Roman road
  6. 5 : km 3.04 - alt. 501 m - Turn right
  7. S/E : km 5.08 - alt. 357 m - Parking On the D9

Notes

Moderate difficulty due to cable-assisted sections.
Follow the route in the direction described to approach the cable passages while ascending.
Hike not recommended in wet and slippery conditions.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 71 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
canard bleu
canard bleu

It’s a brilliant walk!!!… not too long and the scenery is lovely

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Thomas73
Thomas73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike – short but spectacular, with plenty of waterfalls in a very wild setting.
I first did it with my little dog (a Jack Russell) without any problems in 2 hours and 5 minutes, then with my wife in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The path is very varied and safe (footbridges, handrails, steps carved into the rock, etc.). The end of the climb, with the section behind the waterfall, is a real treat.
The circular route through the village adds nothing, except for those who love old stone buildings and don’t mind walking a bit more on tarmac.
For me, this is my favourite ‘waterfall hike’. Best done from April to June when there’s plenty of water.

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canard bleu
canard bleu

It’s a brilliant walk!!!… not too long and the scenery is lovely

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THOMAS732
THOMAS732
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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canard bleu
canard bleu

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 : Yes

Most of the route is shaded and close to water... which was very welcome in the scorching heat... bring walking sticks for the few rocky sections

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petitnuage
petitnuage

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The climb up the left side (right bank of the stream) is very slippery and has numerous sections with cables to hold on to or metal steps. It is very slippery. You often need to use your hands to help you. Not recommended for young children. But there were two adults in our group and we loved scrambling around and looking at all the beautiful waterfalls!

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User 24835253

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is difficult (steep and rugged in places) and it's not easy to use a map because it's really too small.
We got lost and it was very dangerous. Do not go left of the last waterfall when walking along the cliff. A splendid hike but to be avoided with young children. Remember to enlarge the map before setting off.
Do not rely on local signage for assistance.
The trail is shaded, which is very pleasant in hot weather.
There wasn't much water and it was already beautiful, so we'll do it again when the flow is a bit stronger.

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ncm38
ncm38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Did it today in scorching heat
I was expecting it to be cooler in the woods: I suffered from the heat on the way up, with all the effort required over such a short period. The descent was more pleasant.
I went on a longer hike last week during the heatwave in Lans en Vercors and I wasn't as out of breath.
There are some pretty spots with water sources (nice for picnics and cooling down your water bottle).
I'd do it again, but not in hot weather. As the end of the hike was in the sun, I cut it short to get back to the D9 and my car.

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dayto
dayto

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

moderate difficulty when walking, difficult when running
steep gradient over a short distance
This route is best done in very dry weather.
Beautiful waterfalls along the way

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abv
abv

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Well-marked path. Easy to follow with visorando.
Moderately difficult because of the steep gradient over a short distance, but nothing insurmountable. Caution: not to be done if it has rained the previous few days, as it is very slippery, and there are also winding sections and high steps that make this a very difficult hike.
As for the beauty of the walk: you follow a river. I've never seen so many waterfalls on the same route, each more beautiful than the last....
We were dazzled by the beauty of the site and the colour of the water...Corsica bis❤️
A great family outing, but not with children under 9/10 years old.

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isabelle83
isabelle83

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The walk starts well, along a stream with rocks, but the path becomes increasingly difficult to access and dangerous. The path can be slippery at times with sheer drops.
Avoid wet weather and walking with dogs.

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Domlyd17
Domlyd17

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Difficult hike (very slippery), most of the time the passages are too narrow and especially in this season, very little water in the cascades and in the torrent.
We won't be doing this walk again!

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Tiwakiss
Tiwakiss

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Superb hike with my 6 and a half year old daughter. We did the trankilou in 2 and a half hours, making the most of the scenery, the waterfalls, the shade as most of the trail is in the forest, and the little bridges that make the walk so much fun. My daughter didn't even complain 😉. A refreshing swim brightened up our day (don't forget your fangs/towel).

Just 2 points to clarify:
- park at the campsite car park ( very shady) which is also the via Ferrara car park so free to park there, and walk along the small road to the right for about 5 min, and the start of the hike begins on your left, and from there everything is well signposted
- On the descent the path splits into 2. We took the one on the right which goes back into the forest and which also leads to Saint-Vincent-en-Mercuze, cross the little village by the lane opposite and at the bottom of the village take the path on the right, which will take you back to the start of the circuit (thanks to the GPS 🥴). To be done and done again 100 times.

Thanks in any case

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fredounet
fredounet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

very nice walk, lovely waterfalls

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iPoilz
iPoilz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Quite a few people on this beautiful Sunday, especially at the waterfall, the rest no problem.

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