Cirque de Saint Même - Guiers Vif waterfalls

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Short hike in the forest to discover the waterfalls of the Guiers Vif.

Details

n°86746
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 206 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 204 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,048 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 850 m
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Photos

Saint-Même waterfall
Bridge
The Guiers Vif
The Cirque de St Même

Description of the walk

From Saint-Pierre d'Entremont, head towards Saint Même d'en Haut (D45C). Go to the end of the road and leave your car in the car park (paying in summer).

(S) Head towards the back of the car park, go through the barrier blocking the road and continue along the road. This road quickly becomes a track. Continue until you reach a fork at the edge of the forest.

(1) Take the path that climbs into the forest on the left.
Halfway up the fairly steep zigzag climb, there is a platform where you can admire the first waterfall.
The path continues with a gentle slope.

(2) At the next fork, turn right. The path begins to descend towards the foot of the large waterfall.

(3) This is a pleasant place to take a break.

To descend, cross the Guiers Vif river via the small wooden bridge and take the path that starts at the end of the bridge. The path gradually becomes a forest track, which you simply follow to return to the starting point (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 850 m - Paid parking at the end of the Rd45C
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 865 m - Take the path that climbs into the forest on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 1,048 m - Second fork
  4. 3 : km 1.39 - alt. 1,018 m - Large waterfall downstream from the source of the - Guiers Vif (rivière)
  5. S/E : km 2.84 - alt. 850 m - Paid parking at the end of the Rd45C

Notes

There is a bar at the start, open only in summer.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 34 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Le Dex
Le Dex

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely short hike to warm up.
In August, it's best to hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
The Cirque de St Même is a great place for families with young children.

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DanielANDRE
DanielANDRE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Despite the crowds, a very nice walk with a 5-year-old child
Almost entirely in the shade

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User 16650413

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant during hot weather.

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Mallo38
Mallo38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike, but quite difficult if you're not used to walking.
Don't take young children, as it's very steep and there are lots of large rocks and huge roots. Personally, I spent more time looking at the ground to avoid falling than looking at the scenery.
It's better to go along the right side of the waterfall than to do the loop starting on the left.
Once you arrive, it's very pretty, but I didn't get the "WOW" effect that everyone else talks about.

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PLC83
PLC83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

For those who don't like steep slopes, climb up the right side of the waterfall, which is less steep than the left side.

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vache69
vache69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant little walk. Please note that there is a charge for parking after 10 a.m.
Access to the cave is currently closed by order of the authorities following rockfalls that damaged a platform. What a shame.

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LILIBEN
LILIBEN

Yes, 180 metres over 3 kilometres, that's the total distance
Note that it's practically 200 m over 1 km, then it's downhill, so it doesn't give the same ratio
I know that the graph covers the entire route, but perhaps it should be clarified
As you mention, you are relying on the author's notes. A mountain dweller does not automatically have the same perception as someone from the countryside or coastal paths
I'm part of a hiking club with several levels, so I'm aware of that
Best regards

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello and thank you very much for your message.
Regarding your question: Is your site reserved for experienced hikers?
The answer is no. The site is intended for everyone and offers hikes that are open to all.
Regarding the difficulty you undoubtedly experienced on the Saint Même waterfall trail, this is a hike with an elevation gain of 180 metres over less than 3 kilometres. The "Easy" rating is automatically assigned based on the distance-elevation ratio. To supplement this rating, we also take into account the author's comments on the difficulties they encountered. In this case, the author did not provide any justification for their comments.
To conclude on ratings and difficulties, these feelings are unique to each individual and, based on experience, as the Vr website is now over 10 years old, I can assure you that all of us here, administrators and moderators alike, tend to rate routes as more difficult than some of our contributors' suggestions.
Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your visit to the site.

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LILIBEN
LILIBEN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The difficulty level indicated, "easy", is not accurate
I noticed that in the mountains, you describe easy difficulties as if they were in the countryside, which is not the case
Is your site reserved for experienced hikers?

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Babe et Ber
Babe et Ber

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike through the woods. We took lots of beautiful photos
Don't do this hike in very wet weather

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LnBrct
LnBrct

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very steep trail to the waterfall. Not that easy, but worth the detour.

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Isa698
Isa698

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant climb up to the waterfall.
Much appreciated in hot weather, which was the case as the walk is shaded. Extremely well signposted route as it is very popular.

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ChristianNant70
ChristianNant70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pretty waterfalls, pleasant site. But the trail is really steep.
A beautiful route to explore.

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Mauro38
Mauro38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb up the left side, as indicated, is not particularly difficult but is not easy because the path is very stony at the top and can be slippery when wet.
The descent after the wooden bridge is easier and can be considered as a round trip with young children and people who have difficulty tackling a steep, stony climb.
The large waterfall is magnificent in autumn because there is plenty of water.

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lolito69
lolito69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

During the week, there are far fewer people than at the weekend.
The circuit is well shaded and very pleasant in hot weather.

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