Saut de Gouloux (waterfall)

The Gouloux waterfall is a famous tourist site in the Morvan. This walk offers a challenging approach to the site, with a mostly forested route including a few changes in altitude.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 235 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 235 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 677 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 478 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Saut de Gouloux car park alongside the D977bis, near the bridge over the Cure between Montsauche-les-Settons and Saint-Brisson.

Yellow + Red and White markings

(S/E) Leave the car park next to the toilets, cross the road (take care) and take the shaded path leading down opposite (signposted "Interdit aux véhicules à moteur" (= motor vehicles prohibited)). You'll soon come to Saut de Gouloux, whose pool can be reached via a footbridge on the right.

(1) On returning from the waterfall, after leaving the footbridge, continue to the right (south-east), crossing a stream by ford and climbing into undergrowth with a vast meadow below on your left. At a T-junction, continue left. This leads to a small road.

(2) Turn right and climb up to a large restored house on the right, with its pond (private property). The road bends to the left and comes to a junction with Gouloux's main street (old well).

Yellow markings

(3) Turn left (let the GR®13 go right). Ignore a road to the right and, at the next fork, turn right towards Fontaine-Melon (sign). Follow the narrow road for about 600m and, at the next crossroads (574 m), turn left, still on the road.

(4) About 50m after the crossroads, turn left onto a path which climbs under a "tunnel" of vegetation (be careful to spot the start of this path). At a fork in the road, take the right-hand path. Say on the main path, which winds steeply upwards, ignoring the trailheads at the sides. After a sharp right-hand bend, the slope becomes gentler. Join a track coming from the right and continue left (north-north-east) to reach a fork.

(5) At the fork, take the right-hand path, despite the presence (in June 2015) of a tree trunk in the way. The path widens. Ignore another wide track on the right (signposted "Propriété privée"). At the next fork, take the right-hand lane. At another fork, also take the right-hand lane and, at the following T-junction (not shown on the 1:25,000 map), turn left.

The path then runs more or less level, generally north-northeast, through forest plots of various species and ages. When the path begins to descend, follow a fenced-in plot on your left (Christmas tree plantation). Descend steadily in a winding path and, at the bottom of the descent, turn left at a T-junction.

Beacon posts with arrow and number in Violet (take the path in the opposite direction to the arrows)

(6) After just a few metres (hunting posts in sight 50m ahead on the right), turn left at an acute angle onto a wide path (Yellow and Orange crosses, no signpost yet). Start out in a westerly direction, noting a sunken pond on the right. At a fork in the road, take the right-hand path (signpost no. 13 on the right). Head south-west along the edge of the forest (on your right), with the fenced-in plot seen earlier (Christmas trees) a little further up on the left.

At marker post 12, enter the forest. Ignore a grassy path on the left, continue under pine trees. Pass signpost no. 11 on the left of the path, ignoring a footpath on the left. Turn right, pass signpost no. 10 on the right-hand side of the path and come to a T-junction.

No markings

(7) Turn left (south) and follow a fence on your right (wet meadow or filled-in pond, then wood). At a fork, with an open field on the left, turn right (west) into the forest. The wide track soon gives way to a faint grassy path (be careful not to lose this path). On your left, a broom fallow among a pine forest. Find a well-marked path.

At a T-junction, turn right (not shown on the 1:25,000 map). When you reach a path coming from the right (not marked on the map either), keep to the left and start downhill, first south-south-west, then due south. At another junction with a right-hand path, the bell tower of the Gouloux church (at Lavault) is in full view.

(8) Continue downhill to the south. At the end of the forest, ignore a black arrow on a purple background (mountain bike signs) which invites you to turn left. Continue south-southwest along the cemetery on your right.

Follow the road to the left, passing the church and the war memorial. At the triangular place (bench), turn right downhill. At the bottom of the hill (restored house on the left), turn left to quickly find the crossroads you came to on the outward journey.

Yellow + Red and White markings

(2) Leave the narrow road and turn right onto the path (signposted "Interdit aux véhicules à moteur"). At a fork, take the right-hand lane, slightly downhill. Go north with a meadow on your right, ford the stream and reach Saut de Gouloux again.

(1) Continue north on the slightly uphill path, cross the D977bis road (take care) and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 494 m - Saut de Gouloux car park
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 478 m - Saut de Gouloux
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 519 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  4. 3 : km 1.67 - alt. 539 m - Gouloux
  5. 4 : km 2.54 - alt. 579 m - Junction - Start of the road
  6. 5 : km 3.05 - alt. 645 m - Fork of paths in the forest
  7. 6 : km 4.62 - alt. 620 m - Junction before a pond
  8. 7 : km 5.46 - alt. 614 m - T-crossing
  9. 8 : km 6.94 - alt. 579 m - Crossing with a road coming from the right
  10. 9 : km 7.33 - alt. 550 m - Église Notre-Dame de la Nativité (Gouloux)
  11. S/E : km 8.77 - alt. 494 m - Saut de Gouloux car park

Practical information

Hiking boots required.

The forest route crosses private property: do not stray from the path. Between (5) and (6), signs indicate this. On a large part of the unmarked section, between (7) and (8), pieced of string to be tied are dotted along the path: as well as an invitation not to enter the undergrowth, this constitutes a useful breadcrumb trail, the durability of which cannot be guaranteed.

Saut de Gouloux (1) is a pleasant place to stop, but easy to reach and busy. Water tap at the crossroads in the main street of Gouloux (3). At the car park (S) public toilets, bar-restaurant.

1:25,000 scale map essential (at least the one accompanying this description). Compass useful. Please note that the unmarked section of the route between (7) and (8), on paths not all of which are marked on the map, requires a good sense of direction.

Walk made by the author on June 13, 2015.

In the nearby area

The beautiful Saut de Gouloux waterfall (1), with mill ruins nearby. From the car park, an educational trail takes you on a loop along the river to the waterfall (30-45 minutes).

Nice forest trail between (5) and (6).

At the car park (S/E), a headstone in tribute to the foot hunters and alpine hunters of the Nièvre département.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 70 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 8436985

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice hike. Total distance 10 km, well sheltered from the sun, only one easy climb. At the top, you cross a forest of beech and fir trees before descending back down to the village. In short, a very enjoyable hike.

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Martial Jonard
Martial Jonard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Your comments and descriptions were great up to marker 6 and then we got lost because of a lack of signposting on the route and couldn't find the right direction.

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sylvie bretagne
sylvie bretagne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We started our hike from the Saut du Gouloux, a lovely spot, then had a nice hike but there was a lot of mud at this time of year, and a lot of forest had been cleared. In the afternoon, we continued with a tour of Lac de Saint Agnan, a little more bucolic and wild than Lac des Settons, with some lovely pink sandy beaches, which was very pleasant.

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carinec21
carinec21

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant hike, starting with the Saut du Gouloux, a pretty little waterfall. The waterfall is quite popular, but the rest of the route is less so. Beware: some parts of the trail can be very wet/muddy/slippery. I lost my GPS signal and therefore my GPS track 2 or 3 times in the woods, but the route is still fairly easy to follow.

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randonnee76
randonnee76

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Not many hikers on the circuit, but plenty on the discovery trail around the waterfall.

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flo77
flo77

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk

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lesmontagnards
lesmontagnards
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A family outing. There was no difficulty, most of the walk was under the trees, and the coolness provided by the waterfall was good for us in this heatwave. Highly recommendable.

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lesmontagnards
lesmontagnards
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A family walk on 6 August 2024. No difficulties, most of the walk was under the trees, and the coolness provided by the waterfall was good for us in this heatwave. Highly recommendable.

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Domen3lettres
Domen3lettres

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The GPS track for this hike is not accurate. There is a discrepancy with the route.
On the way back. At the Saut de Gouloux do not take the same path. Walk along the stream and climb back up to the bridge with its beautiful viewpoint, which takes you to the bar and car park.

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Claude A.
Claude A.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk under changing skies. Lots of water at the Gouloux jump, a beautiful waterfall.
No problems with the GPS track, which beeps discreetly when you take the wrong direction.
The only downside, as in many places in the Morvan, is that there are far too many patches of woodland that have been cut down... but the walk is still very pleasant.

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david51350
david51350

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful autumn walk 👍🍁🍄🌲

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PteStef
PteStef

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Little frequented during the week, so peaceful.

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JLucF
JLucF

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice hike, but some markers are missing

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lachalou
lachalou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

When you're in the car park, it's difficult to find the signs AND DO NOT RELY ON THE FLECHED TOURIST SIGNS; make sure you use the Visorando map.

On the cascades section or the Saut du Gouloux, it's a bit like the Champs Elysées, but after a short distance for hikers. Although at the Saut du Gouloux, we had to make way for words that were also on the GR!!!!

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BDFL
BDFL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice route, but some of the signs are not very clear, the text should be simpler, for example for the posts, simply say to follow from 12 to 10 (the text is confusing) and there are no more trees across the path as indicated. But it's a really nice walk with little or no traffic.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.