Waterfalls and Gorges of the Langouette from Les Planches-en-Montagne

Cross the village of Planche-en-Montagne, after the church, turn left at the crossroads towards Langouette. The road descends to the bridge over the gorges: there is a car park for the Gorges de la Langouette on the left of the large bridge.

(S/E) From the gorge car park, cross the bridge over the Saine. The view plunges 40 m down to the Saine. The river flows through a 5 m wide canyon.

(1) At the Le Martinet signpost, take the steps climbing up to your left. Walk along the field, then enter the Gorges de la Langouette with its series of viewpoints. Three viewpoints allow you to enjoy the spectacle of the swirling, bubbling waters.

(2) At the end of the trail, take the GR® (white and red markings) on the left.

(3) Turn left again onto the wooden bridge. Climb up to the church via a small path between two low walls until you reach the Lavoir - Les Planches-en-Montagne signpost.

(4) Go up the main street and turn right at the first street (Rue du Lavoir). Pass the wash house and join the Grande Rue, turning left until you reach the road bridge, where you will find the information board on the right.

(5) Take the first street on the right after the bridge (Chemin des Cascades), which will take you back to the gorges.

(3) Follow the same route back to the car park (S/E).

The Langouette Gorges are impressive for their immensity and the uniqueness of their wild setting. Dotted with numerous plays of light illuminating the moss and ferns that thrive under the wooded canopy, they exude a gentle and serene atmosphere, where you can particularly enjoy recharging your batteries. This unspoilt site offers a privileged view of the work of the water shaping the canyon with its capricious meanders. Tumultuous and unpredictable, the little Saine river plays with all the obstacles in its path before joining the Ain a few kilometres further on.
In the wake of this stormy river, a path lined with footbridges and viewpoints allows you to fully appreciate the charm of the place before reaching the highlight of the show: an imposing waterfall about ten metres high, which was once used to power a hydroelectric power station. Let yourself be carried away by the flow of the water for a moment of tranquillity, completely out of time.

Six funinformation panels on the theme of water and legends line the trail: Secret Passage, The Router's House, The Wild Fairy, Fairy Garden, Fairy Dust, Water Guardian

Three viewpoints allow you to enjoy the spectacle
The first is at the largest waterfall, which plunges into the canyon like a funnel. Here, the torrent can reach a flow rate of 80 tonnes per second. Erosion is clearly visible upstream when the flow is low. You will see a series of large pools, or giant potholes, carved out by the incessant friction of sand and gravel carried by the whirlpools.
At the second viewpoint, you can hear the sound of a hydroelectric turbine: the owner of the site supplies electricity to the national grid.
A steep climb leads to the third viewpoint and the exit of the gorges.