The Feuilles viewpoint, the Verneau waterfalls and the Vau stream

From Éternoz, overlooking the Cirque de Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne, you will head to the beautifully named Belvédère des Feuilles on the meanders and cliffs of the wild Lison valley, notably on the "éperon des aiguilles" (spur of the needles), offering a view of a colourful forest. Then you will descend towards Nans and its old houses and climb boldly to the superb Verneau waterfall before returning along the Lison, through the small, lost and wild valley of the Vau stream.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 327 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 324 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 622 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 354 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking in front of the town hall in Éternoz. Yellow and blue signposts.

(S/E) Head towards the war memorial, then turn right towards the church to visit it (if it is open) and see its charming polychrome wooden Way of the Cross. Cross the cemetery and after the steps, turn left, passing a beautiful house with a square turret, then the fountain-wash house where you will find a signpost (towards Jardin des Marnes). Leave the village by turning right, crossing an old bridge and taking the D15.

(1) At the old wooden calvary, take the small road on the right, which quickly becomes stony (sign hidden in the vegetation: "Belvédère des Feuilles"). Cross the D15 and you will arrive at the "Jardin des Marnes", a remarkable botanical garden, according to the sign. Further up, cross the D492, climbing a beautiful stony path, to rejoin it further on. Go up the departmental road on the left for 500 metres.

(2) At the crossroads with a small road, turn right towards Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne. Signposting is sparse. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on your left, along this small tarmac road which gradually loses its surface. At the signpost marking the junction of two hiking trails, continue straight ahead (towards Nans) to reach the viewpoint about 100 metres further on.

(3) Don't miss the Feuilles viewpoint at the second signpost. You can reach it via a small path on the right. Enjoy the view of the wild Lison valley. After the viewpoint, start the descent to the right towards Nans.

(4) In the village, head towards the church, which you can visit if it is open, otherwise turn left onto the D103. At the foot of the superb fortified house, climb up to the left (towards the Montmahoux walking trail). At the fountain, turn left again, passing some beautiful old houses. Cross the footbridge and climb up to the Cascade du Verneau via the path on the right and a few steps.

(5) At the metal footbridge, despite the yellow and blue cross, continue with caution along the steep and slippery path on the left alongside the stream to reach the waterfall. Return to the footbridge and turn right for 200 metres (towards Retour Village).

(6) Look for a fork in the path at a yellow and blue cross and a small sign saying "Retour Village par Sentier" and climb up the path on the right. (If you miss it, don't worry, just go back to the fountain and head towards the centre of Nans, then to the point (4).) Leave the paths on your right, continuing straight ahead, and join a gravel road at the signpost. Turn left and walk about 50 steps, then descend to the village via the path on the left. You will pass under two huts in the woods where you can spend the night. You will return to the church square and turn right, this time passing under the statue of the Virgin Mary.

(7) On leaving the village, turn left onto the D139, following the Lison (yellow and red markings).

(8) Before the bridge, continue straight ahead along the path that follows the river to reach the footbridge over the Vau stream.

(9) After the footbridge, turn right onto the unpromising path that runs alongside the stream but quickly becomes a superb trail in the hollow of this small wild valley. Old yellow and blue markers are visible from time to time.

(10) At the second bend, there is a signpost hidden by vegetation. Continue climbing to the right on the same path. At the gravel path, turn right, passing in front of a factory. Turn right at the Rue de l'Épaisse sign, then right again at the no entry sign and, at the statue of the Virgin Mary, follow the bell tower to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 512 m - Éternoz Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 500 m - Calvary
  3. 2 : km 1.75 - alt. 618 m - Combes des Mahoux
  4. 3 : km 3.46 - alt. 613 m - Feuilles viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 5.51 - alt. 366 m - Nans-sous-Ste-Anne
  6. 5 : km 6.17 - alt. 421 m - Verneau waterfall
  7. 6 : km 6.31 - alt. 386 m - Return to the village via the trail
  8. 7 : km 6.86 - alt. 367 m - Departmental road 139
  9. 8 : km 7.7 - alt. 362 m - Bridge over the Lison
  10. 9 : km 9.44 - alt. 356 m - Footbridge over the Vau stream
  11. 10 : km 11.66 - alt. 472 m - Bois des Bornes
  12. S/E : km 13.42 - alt. 512 m - Éternoz Town Hall

Notes

Rocky and slippery paths in places. Good walking shoes are essential and walking sticks are recommended.

As mentioned by the visitor on 17 December, it is very difficult to find a suitable place to picnic along the Lison and the Vau stream. The best option may be to have a snack in Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 27920604

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

If you follow the route, you can’t go wrong. The waterfall was lovely. Thank you for this lovely walk.

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User 10935892

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
A truly superb route. Easy to follow with your directions.
The waterfalls are currently off-limits, but I braved the ban with great caution and have no regrets.
Good footwear is essential.
Thank you.

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DROUILLOT
DROUILLOT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful surroundings to explore via pleasant trails with no technical difficulties.
Mostly shaded, this hike was perfect on a very hot day.
The description is clear and precise; we didn't need GPS.
One small detail: at point 9, there are no signposts, even from a distance. And for good reason: there is a yellow and blue cross at the start of the path.
The charming trail along the Vau stream is unfortunately cluttered with trees. But you can easily pass over, under or around them.
The only place to stop for lunch is at Nan-Sous-Sainte-Anne, where there are benches.
Many thanks to "Tonnoguh" for this wonderful suggestion.

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Ghyslain
Ghyslain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike
The waterfall was magnificent!!!
Walking sticks and good shoes are still recommended.
Be careful when you get to the waterfall as it was very slippery due to the rain....

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cartoum
cartoum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, easy going and about 80% shaded, which was very welcome in the heat we experienced. The Verneau waterfall is very beautiful, and we stopped there for lunch. Please note that we ignored the no-entry sign dated February 2023, which states that the municipality accepts no responsibility in the event of an accident. There is no apparent danger (but caution is advised in winter or after long periods of rain). The return trip along the Lison is very pleasant, also in the shade, where we saw three harlequin ducks and a trout. We were satisfied with the route.

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GéraldCh25
GéraldCh25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovers of beautiful walks will be delighted whatever their interests. Along the route, you will discover the region's architectural heritage, superb landscapes, waterfalls and streams, which are very active at this time of year and make for an enjoyable hike. The area around the waterfall is tricky, so walking sticks and suitable footwear are highly recommended. Despite the beauty of the place, it's hard not to feel moved when you walk along the Vau stream trail littered with uprooted dead trees. Luckily, some kind souls have cleared the way.
In short, a beautiful hike in this superb region.

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Tila
Tila

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk without too much difficulty. The waterfall is closed

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doubsrando
doubsrando

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 : No

very pleasant hike, exceptional weather. Not many people.
a beautiful day

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GISORANDO
GISORANDO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike through wooded countryside with no need to worry about the route.
The Verneau waterfall had plenty of water and we went right up to the foot of it.
The walk along the Vau stream was very pleasant in the heat.
The circuit ends with a long climb, which is easy to do, and takes you back to Eternoz.
We recommend it

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croc-trotteuse
croc-trotteuse
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, the waterfall is stunning, but we didn't go all the way to the top as the terrain was a little too dangerous for my liking. We went a little higher than the small bridge marked "via ferrata" and had a picnic on the small rocky platform at the foot of the first waterfall. Then we set off again and were followed for much of the way by the Lison and then the Vau stream.
The hike was very wooded and green, with few people on the trail. Highly recommended.
On the first part, the path is a bit overgrown (at the Jardins de la Marne), but still passable. For me personally, the elevation gain was easily accessible.

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Golghot
Golghot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty hike, along the river and on a well-maintained path

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Nathbel
Nathbel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice hike with the family on Sunday. Avoid in hot weather if you want to see the Verneau waterfall flowing freely, and also avoid if it has rained heavily as the paths can quickly become very muddy. The view from the Belvédère des Feuilles viewpoint is magnificent and the walk along the Lison and then the Vau stream is very pleasant (be careful of falling branches at this time of year). The only downside is that you start with a climb, which may not be ideal if you're not used to walking. So it's best to take it easy! There's a nice spot for a picnic in a small park next to the church in Nans. The hike took us 4½ hours.

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loubleu
loubleu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a beautiful hike, well detailed as always by Tonnoguh. Luckily, the waterfall was full (we had a snack) and we enjoyed the sunshine. The paths are wide and pleasant. Be careful in spring and summer, as the area along the Lison is infested with ticks.

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encore1matin
encore1matin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike.
With all the rain that fell in the previous days, the waterfalls are a feast for the eyes.
Access to the Verneau waterfall is blocked by order of the mayor of Nans/Ste Anne due to the risk of falling trees.
This passage also provides access to the via ferrata.
We took the risk, being very careful, and went as far as the first waterfall at the bridge, which was magnificent. You would have had to be crazy to venture any further!
All the waterfalls in the Vau are also superb.
No major difficulties, only very slippery terrain in some places.
This is a great hike to do at this time of year when the water is everywhere

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ChristianNant70
ChristianNant70

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaded, well-marked route: beautiful wide paths. No difficulty.

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