Croix de Bramafan, pools and Buizin waterfall starting from Vaux-en-Bugey

Park in the car park at the Vaux-en-Bugey stadium.

(S/E) Head east on Route de la Gare and you will soon reach the crossroads in the residential area.

(1) Turn right to cross this area via Rue de Cornier. Turn left and continue along the path that follows the street to reach Route de Lagnieu.

(2) Cross it and take the tarmac path opposite that climbs towards Vaux Fevroux on foot. This is the GR®59, marked in white and red. Walk along the edge of the woods until you reach a crossroads with several directions.

(3) Keep right on the GR® trail, following the directions for Tour du Mont Vert and Bramafan. Enter the forest and you will reach the crossroads at the foot of the tower.

(4) Leave the GR® and turn right onto a small unmarked path to reach the Tour de Mont Vert.

(5) Start the descent on the left to reach a path that widens, which you should follow as a continuation of the trail. Walk alongside the Source du Pré de la Muette before reaching a small tarmac road.

(6) Take this road to the left uphill. At the next crossroads, rejoin the GR®. Take it to the right towards Croix de Bramafan and reach a new crossroads at the edge of the woods.

(7) Stay on the GR®57 in the direction of Croix de Bramafan. Continue uphill. Be careful in the middle of the climb when you reach a large rock on the left; continue on the right despite a cross on a tree. You will reach a place called l'Embarcadère, where you will see a sign for Croix de Bramafan.

(8) Turn right onto the dry, sloping path to reach Croix de Bramafan and its viewpoint. Be careful, as this short section is slippery when wet and you will need to navigate around parts of the path that have been eroded.

(9) Return along the path you came on and continue downhill towards a place called Montgrillère. Turn right at the^second Embarcadère signpost on the GR®. Pass a sign saying "Débardage Interdit" (no logging) for the commune of Saint Sorlin-en-Bugey and continue to an intersection.

(10) Leave the GR® and take the unmarked path downhill to the left. After about 400 metres, continue straight ahead and follow the path until you reach a crossroads.

(11) Take the path on the left, which has been well trodden by forest logging. You will soon reach a four-way crossroads.

(12) Take the path downhill almost opposite (turn slightly left at the crossroads and 5 m further on the path is visible). There is an orange mark on a tree after about ten metres.
Be careful here: this may be a slightly tricky passage for people who are prone to vertigo after a left turn. Continue down the path to a wide track

(13). Turn right onto the PR® path, marked in yellow, and continue downhill to the Pont du Buizin bridge.

(14) Turn right onto the path that runs alongside the water sources with fenced-off areas.

(15) Look for a PR® path on the left that descends towards the stream. Pass between the two large rocks to take the old EDF pole, which serves as a footbridge over the Buizin. Take the path on the left bank of the stream and climb up to the foot of the waterfall.

(16) 100 m before the waterfall, at the rockfill, wade across the stream using the stones. On the right bank, on the technical building side, find a steep staircase on the right. Find a path and take it to the left.

(17) Above the tanks, the waterfall is higher and the path is difficult to follow and invisible due to fallen trees. Continue back and forth to the Buizin waterfall. However, to see the waterfall, take the right bank, then cross to the left bank at a ford.

(18) Return by the same path, then leave the staircase section to continue on the path overlooking the stream. Follow the right bank of the stream to reach the Buizin Bridge, which you passed on the way there.

(14) Turn right onto the PR®.

(19) Turn right, staying on the PR® which crosses the road 50 metres further on. Turn left onto the road and follow the PR® uphill.

(20) Continue following the signs for Cote 528 - GR®, leaving the PR®.
Caution: very narrow path on the mountainside which can be tricky to navigate in some places.
At the end of the path, you will find another PR®. Take it to the left.

(21) Leave the PR® and take the path opposite. When you reach a hairpin bend in the road, turn right, go through the barrier and climb up to the Chapelle de Nièvre. Continue along a path running alongside the cemetery. Take the staircase downhill marked GR® on the handrail.

(22) Turn left, following the GR® to return to the village of Vaux en Bugey. Cross the village along the Buizon and stay on the GR®.

(23) Pass in front of the church, then continue to return to the car park of the Vaux-en-Bugey stadium (S/E).

In September 2025, at the point (15), the access path to the foot of the pools was being repaired and a steel footbridge was under construction
Marked with red and white GR® and yellow PR® signs.
The route is mainly through woods, ideal in hot weather.
No water on the route (except in the village).
Le Buizin is a canyon equipped in the waterfall and pools area where canyoning is possible (equipped belays). Start at the bridge on the D60.
Hike completed in December: 3 hours 40 minutes without breaks or prolonged stops (average speed 4.5 km/h).
If you take your time, allow 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.

(5) Tour du Mont Vert (not visible from the trail).
(8) Belvédère de la Croix de Bramafan.
From (16) to (18) The Buizin water tanks and waterfall.
(22) Nièvre Chapel.