The Fauge Valley

This short hike in the pretty Fauge valley, located very close to Villard-de-Lans, is a great opportunity to walk with the family or get back into shape in the spring.

Details

5033201
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 810 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 797 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,390 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,612 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the "Pont de l'Amour" car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take the tarmac road uphill towards Pont de l'Amour (signposted on the left). After a few metres, the road gives way to a footpath. Follow it to the bridge over the Fauge.

(1) After the bridge, turn left for a few metres, then look for a small path between two barbed wire fences that runs alongside the stream. Follow it for about 400 metres.

(2) The path is blocked by a fence. Take the track on the right that joins the main path and follow it.

(3) Turn left to see the Fauge waterfall. You will need to return by the same path to rejoin the route.

(4) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead towards "Abri de la Fauge", heading south.

(5) When you reach Abri de la Fauge, take the path on the right towards "small pass des Clots" (signposted). Follow the path which leads to a place called "Les Clos".

(6) Turn right, heading north, and follow the main road for about 200 metres.

(7) Turn right onto the path on the right and continue to the next intersection.

(8) At the intersection, turn right and continue until you reach the junction you passed on the way there.

(4). Turn left and walk back slowly along the same route you took on the way there to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,612 ft - Pont de l'Amour car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 3,678 ft - Path on the left between two barbed wire fences - Pont de l'Amour
  3. 2 : mi 0.63 - alt. 3,793 ft - End of the trail
  4. 3 : mi 1.01 - alt. 3,927 ft - La Fauge Waterfall
  5. 4 : mi 1.28 - alt. 4,101 ft - Straight ahead
  6. 5 : mi 2.03 - alt. 4,311 ft - Abri de la Fauge
  7. 6 : mi 2.42 - alt. 4,357 ft - Les Clos
  8. 7 : mi 2.66 - alt. 4,334 ft - Fork in the path
  9. 8 : mi 3.05 - alt. 4,147 ft - Fork in the path
  10. S/E : mi 4.41 - alt. 3,612 ft - Pont de l'Amour car park

Notes

Accessible on snowshoes in winter.

Picnic break possible at Abri de la Fauge.

Trail is very busy in summer, especially around the waterfall.

Worth a visit

La Fauge Waterfall.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 26348996

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk, especially the section along the Fauge in this hot weather. The valley itself is less interesting, but still nice.

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murauvergne
murauvergne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk through the woods.
You walk up alongside the stream before reaching the waterfall.
No particular difficulty.
A good time.

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Christiane B.
Christiane B.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lack of yellow markings.

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Dany MS
Dany MS
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with crampons. Snowshoes were not used due to the lack of snow. Ideal route for getting back into shape. The frozen waterfall was magnificent.

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OlivierM
OlivierM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hike completed using GPS in cloudy conditions with light drizzle. Peaceful atmosphere in the forest and meadows. Brilliant!
Highly recommended

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mmus
mmus

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk through the valley, shaded and sunny.

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mmus
mmus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 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, fairly shaded overall

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jldequin
jldequin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

starting from Les Cochettes, this is a beautiful walk with a stop at the Ponr de l'amour and the waterfall. Extended to the Roybon cabins. Some signage issues on the way back.
A must-see when you arrive in Villard!

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Layotte83
Layotte83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route
Completed with two 9-year-old children, perfect level.
Cool temperatures guaranteed at the start and end of the hike

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Mesys
Mesys

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk for families with children aged 7 and 9. No particular difficulties and a beautiful waterfall along the way.

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jean laure
jean laure

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

still very beautiful route to the Fauge waterfall

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peyreg
peyreg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A cool stroll for most of the way.
Suitable for families, but not with pushchairs!

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petite chose
petite chose

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice little hike
Wear sturdy shoes as the paths are stony

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Celinedrome
Celinedrome

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

No major difficulties on this route, which is suitable for children. The waterfall is magnificent this year due to the heavy rainfall, and its coolness was very welcome.
We'll be back!

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gorlagh
gorlagh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

fYI, no difficulty from '2' onwards due to Storm Alex. There is a section (2-3 metres) with mud, but there are rocks and trees to help you get through. There are also a few trees that have fallen across the path, which you have to jump over (not many and not high). My children, aged 8 and 11, saw it more as a little adventure course!
Great hike!

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