The Gouffre d'Enfer

de fr

A walk at the gateway to the Pilat mountains to discover the Lac du Pas du Riot and two dams built under Napoleon III.
This walk is easy, suitable for families and without difficulty. The hardest part is climbing the 52 steps of the dam.

Details

n°86965
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.45 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 568 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 564 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,815 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,287 ft
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Photos

Hell's Abyss Dam
Pas de Riot dam
Pretty waterfall at Gouffre d'Enfer
The first dam

Description of the walk

From Rochetaillée, take Rue de la Roche Corbière towards the via ferrata. Park in the car park at the end of the road.

(S/E) The path starts at the end of the car park towards the "Gouffre d'Enfer". At the first fork, turn left and follow the path that leads to the first dam.

(1) Climb the stairs on the left to reach the top of the dam. From there, continue left along the reservoir. The path runs alongside the reservoir and climbs up the valley between the old aqueduct and the river.

(2) At the fork, with the second dam in sight, take the path on the left that climbs to the top of the dam to discover the lake (Pas du Riot).

(3) You can walk around the lake in either direction as the path follows the lake shore.

(4) To return, descend from the dam via the path on the other side of the dam. At the foot of the dam, rejoin the path you took on the way there. Return via the same route to the via ferrata car park: /A::.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,287 ft - Via ferrata car park, picnic area - Furan (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.28 - alt. 2,431 ft - Stairs at the first dam
  3. 2 : mi 1.7 - alt. 2,707 ft - Start of the loop
  4. 3 : mi 1.85 - alt. 2,799 ft - Second dam
  5. S/E : mi 5.45 - alt. 2,290 ft - Via ferrata car park, picnic area

Notes

Alternative route for the return journey (not shown on the GPX route): Cross the bridge 50 m after (2) and follow the path on the left. This path on the side of the valley leads to the first dam.

Worth a visit

At the start:
- Two via ferrata routes, one of which is specially designed for children
- Climbing rock: Roche Corbière.

In Rochetaillée:
- The castle.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 52 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 3359182

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike on 25/05/26: as mentioned in previous comments, the start is a bit chaotic due to building works at the start point, which means you have to climb through the forest to reach the dam. It’s not very well signposted, so you need to follow the arrow marking the start of the via ferrata and, once at the dam, follow the route description. For the return journey, don’t make the same mistake I did by trying to go down the 52 steps of the dam to get back to the start, because at the very bottom, near the start of the Via Ferrata, you’ll be blocked by the roadworks and will have to climb the 52 steps back up the other way, crossing the roadworks at your own risk.

Otherwise, the walk is fairly easy and very pleasant

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Christine_aix
Christine_aix

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I really enjoyed this walk, despite a bit of a chaotic start due to major roadworks at the car park indicated.
If possible, it would be best to wait until the works are finished before doing this walk.

The site is impressive and the dams bear witness to the ingenuity of 19th-century engineers, at a time when not everything had yet been standardised.
You need to go down the steps behind the first dam to admire the construction.

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Douchatchu
Douchatchu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful region with a rich heritage to explore as a family

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Jean Luc COTTIN
Jean Luc COTTIN

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

At the moment, there is major construction work taking place at the starting point of this walk, with diversions in place, regardless of the route suggested by Visorando.
Otherwise, the route is very pleasant with a substantial out-and-back section.
Very family-friendly

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KGBD
KGBD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very nice hike

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User 14847036

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lots of detours due to roadworks. Very difficult to find my way around, adding 4 km to the loop. Be careful, the detours add elevation and take you through the forest. Not very easy to access!
I'll try this hike again after the roadworks.

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Flo99
Flo99

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 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, quiet at this time of year, magnificent landscapes, and two impressive dams.

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User 13357125

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery.
Very accessible, even with children.
However, it gets very busy in the afternoon, so it's best to start in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet.

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Mams Zelle
Mams Zelle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route can be adapted
Start from the car park and follow the signs for the dam. You will arrive at the bottom with a view of the dam in front of you.
climb the steps on the left.
Once at the top, you will be on the left bank. You can follow the path on the left. I took the right side, crossing the dam. From there, the route goes into the mountains with an elevation gain of about 220 metres. You will reach the car park at the Plat du Sot dam. (Still on the right-hand side), you can cross back to the Gouffre d'Enfer dam. Or continue to follow the source of the Plat du Sot dam. Here, the ground is flat and a small bridge allows you to cross the river.
Once you have gone around the lake at the Plat du Sot dam, it is impossible to descend as indicated. Either go along the left bank (which means crossing the Plat du Sot dam) or continue on the right and take the forest path. At the intersection, take the path that descends to the left. Take the left turn and you will see the green gate. 200 metres before the gate, there is a small path that descends to the right in a hairpin bend. Follow the small path along the river. You will arrive at the aqueduct. Here again, you can cross to join the path below or continue on the path on the right that runs along the river at the top. I prefer the top, which I find more pleasant and safer. in the middle, there will be a sign indicating to go down (sharp left turn). The path is quite steep and joins the lower path. Turn right after the small bridge and follow the hose reel (on your right) until you reach the Gouffre d'Enfer. There is a footbridge on the right that allows you to reach the car park and see the redwood trees at the end of the trail and a few more waterfalls.
The route is 9.6 km long on Strava, compared to 8.8 km on my map. I've done this walk in summer and winter in the snow and found it fairly quiet.

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Marjo
Marjo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A few mistakes along the way.
Some sections no longer exist. I had to adapt by taking detours.
The circuit took 2 hours and 25 minutes instead of the 3 hours and 15 minutes announced at the start, even though I added 400 metres due to closed passages and necessary detours.

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pomarguet
pomarguet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. An astonishing dam with its "dry" downstream section: it's impressive to stand underneath it. There was hardly anyone on the path during the Easter weekend. Highly recommended!

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Rébecc
Rébecc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with no difficulties. Lovely scenery. Thanks to the author.

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Alexmaiant
Alexmaiant

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is very pleasant, whether you're travelling as a couple or with the family

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ramatuelle83
ramatuelle83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

thanks to the author

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Brunopg
Brunopg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike to do with the family, a lovely route and beautiful scenery

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