The Oules Waterfall

Discover the Oules waterfall at the bottom of the Blétonnet valley, starting from Laus de Cervières.

Details

20434
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.74 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 393 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 384 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,116 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,733 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the Col d'Izoard road to the hamlet of Laus and park in the large car park at the entrance to the hamlet (S/E).
The trail starts opposite the lodge of the Arpelin. After crossing the bridge, follow the snowshoe trail on the far left.

(1). Quickly cross the cross-country ski trails that appear along the way, then enter the woods. The trail zigzags between the fir trees and joins the start of the Mule trail.

(2) Take the uphill trail on the left and continue through the woods until you reach the ski trail. Follow it for a few metres, then turn right to reach the stream. Stay on the right bank until you reach the large meadow of Casse des Oules. The ski trail ends here, so continue along a well-marked path to reach the bottom of the Oules waterfall.

(3) To return, take the path on the right that remains above the ascent path and through the woods join the large meadow on the way out. Cross it on the left to join a path on the left bank of the torrent. Stay on this path until you reach the crossroads of the Sentier de la Mule.

(2) Cross the track and rejoin the trail in the valley on the left bank. You will be overlooking the Blétonnet chalets.

(4) Cross the stream and take the lower tracks back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,733 m - Car park at the entrance to Laus
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 1,756 m - Snowshoe trail
  3. 2 : km 2.82 - alt. 1,936 m - Crossroads on the Mule Trail
  4. 3 : km 4.25 - alt. 2,116 m - Oules Waterfall
  5. 4 : km 7.49 - alt. 1,789 m - Chalets de la Blétonnée
  6. S/E : km 8.74 - alt. 1,733 m - Car park at the entrance to Laus

Notes

There are no shelters on this route, but there are numerous water points at the start of the walk where you can stock up on fresh water.

Worth a visit

The Casse des Oules and especially its waterfall (3) are very popular tourist attractions in both summer and winter. In winter, it is particularly pleasant to hike alongside the stream, which is hidden from view by snow but can be heard as it flows beneath the surface. In summer, the special feature of this area is the flow of the waterfall, which is fed solely by groundwater. The Oule waterfall is in fact a resurgence of underground streams originating from the snow on the peaks above it, the Escalinade, the Turge de la Suffie and the better-known Grand Rochebrune.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Lilaska
Lilaska
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not very busy, but it was mid-October. Quite busy in summer and when snowshoeing.

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Jeanlabat
Jeanlabat

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The hike is particularly worthwhile for its finale at the bottom of the Oules waterfall, which is truly magnificent in summer under a beautiful blue sky. However, the route is impossible to follow in summer, especially from the start to point 2! We navigated using GPS, through branches, undergrowth and scree, without any visible trace of the "official" route (nothing visible on the ground, no markings, etc.). It's hard to imagine how this route could be used as a cross-country ski trail, as it is so uneven and overgrown with trees and branches. It's also worth noting that the IGN map doesn't show any dotted lines indicating a path, which isn't a good sign.. You therefore have to improvise and take the tracks that lead to the waterfall, only following the route marked on the IGN map. Note that you should not stop at point 3, but continue climbing for about 100 metres (a few metres of additional elevation gain) to reach the most attractive viewpoint of the waterfall.

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phidet
phidet

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with a spectacular finale.
The route is undoubtedly easy to follow in winter, but in May, there are no snowshoe or cross-country ski trails, so you have to improvise.

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jJean Marie Sarrazin
jJean Marie Sarrazin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Travelled to a heavily frozen forest in January

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Nemo1--'
Nemo1--'
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A gentle stroll to enjoy after a more strenuous run
Start when the temperature has not yet risen
After the waterfall, head back down to the footbridge over the stream
Pleasant picnic area and spot for a nap under the pine trees, with a small stream flowing through the grass

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SERRECHE
SERRECHE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, partly through the forest. Still plenty of water for this time of year. Beautiful surroundings.

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severine30
severine30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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sophrorando
sophrorando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
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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Chantalice
Chantalice

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Classic route along the groomed trail on the way there. As it was snowing heavily that day, there was no one on the trail and we walked in powder snow. The GPS track allowed us to make out a semblance of a path after the groomed trail to go and see the waterfall. The return track allowed us to venture off the trail. Thank you very much for this track

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michel docquier
michel docquier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike with lovely scenery, easy route.

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LAPLANCHE
LAPLANCHE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Do not follow the GPX route, which is a snowshoe trail. Do not hesitate to continue and climb a little to see the waterfall and its tributary. The view is magnificent.
A lovely, peaceful and easy walk in summer.
.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello
Thank you for your comment about this waterfall route, which is a special place in the Blétonnet valley.
Regarding the route marked as "Medium", I would like to point out that this route is the one taken in winter with snowshoes. Of course, as you mention, the summer trail is very clear and goes directly along the track.
Have a nice day

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Pierrot1704
Pierrot1704

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful waterfall at the end of the path.
Did not follow the route suggested on the map because a well-marked path quickly became apparent.
A lovely, enjoyable hike

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corosu
corosu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

easy walk for the whole family

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marieclairebianco
marieclairebianco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike among the chamois. A magical place with superb nature. A hike recommended for nature lovers, far from the trails and without venturing into risky areas. The hike was done in hiking boots and crampons. Therefore, part of the route was modified.

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