The Artigue waterfalls

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A gentle walk to the Artigue waterfalls.

Details

n°271
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 130 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 133 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,276 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,173 m
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Photos

Artigue waterfall
the light is in the middle of the road...
waterfall
Artigue waterfall

Description of the walk

Park at the power station car park at the very end of the D66.

Take the path to the west. At the fork (1), ignore the path on the right to Orris de Mespelat and continue straight on, following the Artigue river for about fifteen minutes. At 1203m, a footbridge takes you across the river onto the right bank. (2). After ten minutes you will reach a fork on the right leading to the Artigue waterfalls. (3). Walk through the undergrowth, with blueberry bushes on either side of the path, until you reach the steep banks of the Artigue. The most dramatic spot is where the Estats and Artigue rivers meet.

Return to the car park along the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,177 m - Power station car park
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 1,185 m - Bifurcation
  3. 2 : km 0.52 - alt. 1,203 m - Ruisseau de l'Artigue (ruisseau) - Affluent du Vicdessos
  4. 3 : km 0.86 - alt. 1,226 m - Bifurcation
  5. 4 : km 1.46 - alt. 1,276 m - Artigue waterfalls - Cascade de l’Artigue
  6. S/E : km 2.93 - alt. 1,177 m - Power station car park

Notes

Travelling along the D8, after Auzat, bypass the village of Marc, ignoring the road to the Etang de Soulcem on the left, and turn right onto the D66 to L'Artigue. As you drive past the abandoned Chalet de Montcalm, the road crosses the Artigue onto the left bank, and then takes you straight on to the power station car park.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 85 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
cocodimeo
cocodimeo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We covered more kilometres than specified on the route. We walked 15 km.
At this time of year (late September), we didn't meet anyone, and the abundance of water allowed us to see some magnificent waterfalls.

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Jean-François Cimolino
Jean-François Cimolino

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

a short hike with very little to see, a small waterfall that isn't particularly interesting except for the large crowds

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User 26581514

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A circuit that is fairly busy but quiet.
Very pretty site and superb waterfall. You walk along the river for the entire route, which is very pleasant.
We didn't try to make a loop and returned the same way after reaching the waterfall.

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Pascaline.la
Pascaline.la

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A well-known place, yet peaceful and beautiful

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Amneloris
Amneloris

Hello,

I saw on another site that there was potentially a loop possible, joining the waterfalls a little upstream, then branching off to the north.
But I have the impression that it's not really signposted...

Do you have any information on this?

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User 26010296

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Magnificent! Completely accessible for children! Get ready to be amazed!

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Éléa
Éléa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Lovely walk with little difference in height or distance. We did it as a family in autumn in fine, dry, cold weather. We didn't meet many hikers and were alone picnicking above the waterfall. Our little one, who will soon be 4, walked the whole way. It's lovely to walk alongside the stream, following the path through the trees and mossy rocks. The waterfall, pools and water colours are magnificent. Do it again in fine weather!

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chtimi
chtimi

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

Precise and pretty. I recommend walking shoes.

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nadmich
nadmich

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A short, easy walk in the shade with children... but be warned, as we reached the waterfall, the descent to the torrent was very slippery and there was very little space to rest and picnic as it was a swimming area. We turned back to find a nice spot on the banks of the torrent to play and soak our feet in the peace and quiet.

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BUBU33
BUBU33

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

Hello,

We did this walk at the beginning of August with a small variation, leaving on a forest track from the small bridge before the last car park, so that we didn't meet anyone on the way to the waterfall, which meant a greater difference in height but was nicer...
Then the stop at the waterfall is overcrowded at this time of year, but you can find a place! Then if you're keen on jumping into the water, the spot is perfect!
But as this walk is a local must, it's still very busy!

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Jean Claude 31
Jean Claude 31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice little walk. Shady, pleasant route in the heat.

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Elpipine
Elpipine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

It's an easy walk, and the waterfall means you can jump into the water if you're feeling hot!
Car park full on arrival!

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Christine_aix
Christine_aix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty little walk with no difficulties.
The route is described as far as the first waterfall, and as another hiker said, it's worth continuing a little to see another waterfall, which is quite impressive this year because of the heavy rainfall. However, the path is a little more difficult.

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mucast
mucast

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

we didn't realise straight away that it was the end, so we went too far!
but otherwise great

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Ren007
Ren007

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy walk, fairly well-travelled path

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