Villaz waterfall circuit

An easy, shaded walk with two waterfalls along the way. Ideal for families and on hot days, with a beautiful view of the Parmelan.

Details

3497433
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 188 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 186 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 924 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 767 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access from the Aviernoz road between Villaz and Disonche. Park at the start of the forest track (maximum 4 vehicles) taking care not to block access to the neighbouring pastures.

(S/E) Take the forest track signposted "Circuit des cascades" heading east. The start is fairly flat between pastures with a nice view of the surrounding hills and the Parmelan. After about 1 km, the path enters the woods. Continue to the junction just before the Ruisseau du Nant du Dard.

(1) Leave the return path on your right and continue straight ahead on the rural path, a few dozen metres after the Nant du Dard stream.

(2) Leave this tractor track and take the path on the left that leads to the Cascade des Nantisses.

(3) When you reach this waterfall, you can walk up the stream bed a little to get closer to it. Then retrace your steps to find the tractor track.

(2) Turn left after a few dozen metres until you reach the next crossroads. Take the path on the right marked "Circuit des cascades".

(4) When you reach the Cascade du Dard waterfall, you can easily get close to it to cool off. Continue to the junction with a wider path. Follow it to the right to return to the crossroads at the start of the loop.

(1) Return to the farm track taken on the way out, which takes you back down to the start. This section is a little more monotonous (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 767 m - Parking on Route d'Aviernoz
  2. 1 : km 0.87 - alt. 841 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 0.98 - alt. 854 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 1.09 - alt. 868 m - Cascade des Nantisses
  5. 4 : km 1.47 - alt. 915 m - Dard waterfall
  6. S/E : km 3.13 - alt. 767 m - Parking on Route d'Aviernoz

Notes

Watch out for ticks. Wear long clothes (tuck your trousers into your socks and your T-shirt into your trousers) and check yourself when you get back.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 28048356
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really nice walk to do. The waterfalls were flowing beautifully too.

So @Visiorando, the text needs to be corrected. Due to a municipal by-law, you can no longer park at the start of the path. You have to use the car park 150 to 200 metres before.

It was quite busy on this sunny Sunday.

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Bopi74
Bopi74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very pleasant, easy and interesting family hike.

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Marie-Claude PRICAZ
Marie-Claude PRICAZ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description of this route (like all other Visorando descriptions) is very detailed.
Thank you very much, Visorando. I also had the opportunity to hike from Ceillac using the Visorando descriptions, which was a wonderful experience, and next week I will be hiking with you from Lanslevillard. Long live Visorando!

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gisele74
gisele74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

very easy and not time-consuming

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fhmiaux
fhmiaux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that parking is prohibited (fines will be issued) in the area indicated. Park vehicles 200 metres away, towards Villaz, near the large pink house.

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Agnès 74
Agnès 74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant outing that is easy to access.
Families encountered along the way
Following the heatwave in the days leading up to our visit, the waterfalls were low.
Parking is available about 100 metres after the trailhead.

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sba38
sba38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb, very easy walk! Parking is now prohibited at the start of the path, but a car park has been provided 150 metres further up the road, just before the large house! You can't miss it!

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User 25880720

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

We only found one waterfall?

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Roger Lambersens
Roger Lambersens

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
A small change:
A car park with around fifteen spaces has now been created alongside the main road connecting Villaz to Aviernoz, 100 metres before the start when coming from Villaz.

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bpagli
bpagli

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A short, easy and enjoyable route to do with children.
The waterfalls were quite full following recent rainfall.
The trail is mostly shaded, which can be cool depending on the season and weather.

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bpagli
bpagli

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short route to do with children.
The waterfalls were quite full following recent rainfall.
The trail is mostly shaded, which can be cool depending on the season and weather.

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Cecilou71
Cecilou71

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful waterfalls along the route
Ideal for a first hike

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Alainrando777
Alainrando777

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful family hike through the woods. Stunning views of the various waterfalls, especially after four days of rain. The waterfalls were very lively. Accessible even with a four-year-old child. We came across quite a few people, often with young children or dogs. Highly recommended.
The route is well marked by the Visorando trail and the "details" of the hike.
Completed at the end of October 2023.

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sylvieare
sylvieare

A very pleasant, shaded hike, but at this time of year the waterfalls are dry

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sofilo74
sofilo74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Short, accessible walk with no major difficulties.
Perfect for hot weather, and less crowded in the morning

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