The Runes waterfall

de fr

A very short hike to admire a magnificent waterfall that flows all year round.

Details

n°2832237
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 87 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 88 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,000 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 912 m
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Photos

The Runes waterfall
Suitable for children
Runes Waterfall
Descent to the waterfall platform

Description of the walk

From Mende, take the N106 to Balsièges and continue to the Col de Montmirat. Turn left at the pass towards Pont de Montvert. When you reach the village of Runes, turn left onto the D35 towards Fraissinet-de-Lozère. The waterfall car park is on the right as you leave the village of Runes.

(S/E) Take the small path that leaves from the car park and runs alongside the Rune stream at the edge of the pasture. The path changes very quickly and is dotted with granite boulders that you have to go around or climb over.
Follow the path as it winds its way to the crossroads.

(1) Go down the steps (some wooden, some stone) to the platform below to admire the waterfall.

(2) Take the path back in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,000 m - Waterfall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 945 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 0.6 - alt. 912 m - Waterfall
  4. S/E : km 1.18 - alt. 999 m - Waterfall car park

Notes

Wear sturdy walking shoes for the sections over granite boulders.
There is a significant elevation gain on the last part of the route.

Caution: in wet weather, as the rocks are extremely slippery. Do not attempt this hike in foggy conditions.

Worth a visit

Panoramic view of the Rune valley.
(2) Waterfall.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
yvesrieder
yvesrieder

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful waterfall. Lots of rocks and steps to climb down and back up again. But it's beautiful and pleasant.

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Ninne
Ninne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Trail easily accessible with closed-toe shoes.

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katewoman
katewoman

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you for all your hard work in advance to enable us to get to know France.

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Magnificat
Magnificat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike...magnificent waterfall...

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Marc Vandevelde
Marc Vandevelde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. The waterfall is impressive

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FANfan01%
FANfan01%

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Don't forget your walking sticks and make sure you go down to the waterfall, it's well worth the detour 🤩

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Nawak07
Nawak07

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 : No

Superb waterfall! Access is short and easy, although it is best to wear good footwear if visiting in wet weather.

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RosineR
RosineR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. A short but enjoyable route to discover a beautiful waterfall. Be sure to wear suitable footwear as the descent over the rocks is quite challenging and slippery.
Thank you for this discovery. The children will love it.

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Lechatoscar34
Lechatoscar34
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 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 short hike that is very popular with children and adults alike.
A feast for the eyes upon arrival and a pleasant spot for hikers to enjoy a picnic.
the coolness of the site makes you forget the heat while you take a break.

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PPHR
PPHR

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that is somewhat physically demanding due to the elevation gain, but the effort is well worth it!

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marcelgilhac
marcelgilhac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy walk with a superb point of interest. Done in the snow: a real treat

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Michèle BESNARD
Michèle BESNARD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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JLC30
JLC30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful waterfall that is worth the detour. Well-maintained trail

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Dods40
Dods40

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The waterfall is beautiful without being truly impressive.
The trail is nice, but should not be attempted after rain as it would be very slippery due to the many smooth stones.

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marichantal
marichantal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The information provided is clear

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