The Malpasset dam loop

At this site of sad memory, this loop allows you to see the remains and ruins of this structure, which was destroyed in a matter of minutes on 2 December 1959.

Details

828733
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 104 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 104 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 141 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 37 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park below the A8 motorway.

(S/E) Take the wide Ambon track, going through the barrier. Continue to the crossroads (dam sign).

(1) Turn right onto the path that runs along the right bank of the Reyran. Then cross to the left bank (note that in October there is no water flowing). Continue to the dam.

(2) Climb up to the right to pass between the remaining boulders and, after crossing the Reyran riverbed, you will find a good path marked in yellow on the right bank of this stream. At the crossroads, you will reach the DFCI water tank.

(3) Take the left track and begin a steep climb to the junction with the Ambon track. At this junction, you will find another water tank.

(4) Take this track on the left and you will quickly reach the viewpoint overlooking the dam site.

(5) Take the track back to the first crossroads.

(1) Follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 37 m - Maljasset car park
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 48 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 51 m - Barrage de Malpasset
  4. 3 : km 1.69 - alt. 50 m - Tank junction
  5. 4 : km 2.87 - alt. 141 m - Ambon track junction
  6. 5 : km 3.18 - alt. 127 m - Viewpoint
  7. S/E : km 4.47 - alt. 37 m - Maljasset car park

Notes

No special equipment required, but please wear good walking shoes.
Bring water with you.

To get to the starting point, take the Fréjus exit no. 38, then follow the D37 road to the car park.
There is a ford to cross before reaching the car park, which is impassable when there is a lot of water.

Worth a visit

This article gives a detailed account of this disaster.
You can extend the walk with this one

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 39 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Poupounet 57
Poupounet 57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hello,
a beautiful walk of about 6 km with information panels explaining how the tragedy unfolded. The climb to the viewpoint is easy, even in direct sunlight, as there are shaded areas. I would encourage you to go, as you get a good overview of what remains of the dam and there are information panels.
I recommend this walk, even with children.

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fabrandos
fabrandos
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and historically interesting hike with a view of the dismantled dam.
Very good signage explaining the dramatic events of 2 December 1959.
The icing on the cake was seeing a few animals basking in the sun on the remains of the building.
We had a picnic below among the large concrete blocks and rocks, at the water's edge... very nice.

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Monique21
Monique21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Easy hike

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Nathpatr
Nathpatr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting tour that recounts the history and probable causes of this tragedy, which claimed many lives

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PITAVIN
PITAVIN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An informative hike that gives you a sense of the scale of the disaster.

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Jzxcluc1
Jzxcluc1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike, where you realise the extent of the disaster in 1959. Well worth discovering, an easy hike (best done in the cool of the morning in summer, unless you enjoy walking in the sun)

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Johnny-43
Johnny-43
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A trail that allows you to discover what remains of the dam. The view from the lookout point is magnificent.

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domisanse
domisanse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, very good trail

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Munich93
Munich93

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route followed to the letter on the anniversary of the dam's collapse on a beautiful windy day.
No difficulties if you respect the restrictions on access to the structure.
Beautiful view from the lookout point.

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guy marianne
guy marianne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

a very beautiful hike that we did twice in one week to show our friends;
no particular problems.
Great for families

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ClaGag
ClaGag

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It is deeply moving to realise the extent of the disaster caused by the Malpassé dam collapse.

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guy marianne
guy marianne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk steeped in history. A must-do if you are staying in the area.

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Christopher83
Christopher83
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk in the heart of the forest to this memorial site, full of information panels explaining the tragedy, which helped educate my two children who wanted to understand.

Nice little climb with an elevation gain of around 150 metres.

Superb view of the mountains.

A great outing for the whole family.

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User 17107577

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in the late afternoon, in beautiful weather, very informative and moving

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Samovar
Samovar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A rainy day in May... the trail is quiet.
The hike is pleasant and easy. This place, steeped in tragic history, is well worth a visit.

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