The 7 waterfalls of Le Hérisson

An iconic site in the Jura: the Hérisson waterfalls.
This route allows you to discover all of the Hérisson waterfalls, starting from the top of the falls.
Allow 3 hours for the round trip along the 7 Hérisson waterfalls.

If you prefer to admire the two largest waterfalls, "L'Éventail" and "Le Grand Saut", without hiking for three hours, we suggest parking at the Maison des Cascades in Ménétrux-en-Joux, from where you can quickly and easily reach the foot of L'Éventail.

The Hérisson waterfalls can be very busy in summer, so spring and autumn are better times to visit.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 294 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 298 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 772 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 521 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Clairveaux-les-Lacs, take the D678 towards Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux. Turn left before La Chaux-du-Dombief onto the D75 towards Le Frasnois. Turn left at the first junction onto the D39. Park in the first car park.

(S/E) Carefully cross the departmental road to start the hike on a stony path.
The start of the hike is an easy route suitable for the general public ("comfortable walk"). Go down the stony path, which becomes a dirt track, and continue straight ahead until you reach the first waterfall: the Saut Girard.

(1) Cross the Hérisson, then go around the guest house/snack bar on the right to enter the forest. Continue on the marked path to the right. You will arrive at a footbridge.

(2) Continue straight ahead until the next crossroads.

(3) Turn right towards the Saut de la Forge. Follow the path to the next fork.

(4) Stay on the path that descends along the river and pass near the Cascade du Gour Bleu waterfall.

(5) Keep going and pass by the Cascade du Grand Saut waterfall.

(6) Continue straight ahead to reach the footbridge.

(7) Above L'Éventail, cross the Hérisson again to reach the steps leading down to the foot of the waterfall. Continue the hike to the Maison des Cascades, which is worth a visit.

(8) Turn around to go back up to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 772 m - Saut Girard car park - Lake Ilay - Auberge du Hérisson
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 732 m - Saut Girard
  3. 2 : km 1.26 - alt. 717 m - Footbridge - Hérisson (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ain
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 710 m - Saut de la Forge
  5. 4 : km 1.99 - alt. 696 m - Fork in the road
  6. 5 : km 2.31 - alt. 678 m - Gour Bleu
  7. 6 : km 2.48 - alt. 647 m - Grand Saut
  8. 7 : km 2.9 - alt. 594 m - Crossing the Hérisson - Cascade de l'Éventail
  9. 8 : km 3.5 - alt. 521 m - Waterfall Centre
  10. S/E : km 7.01 - alt. 772 m - Saut Girard car park - Lake Ilay

Notes

Toilets are available in the hamlet of La Fromagerie near the start of the trail, or at the Maison des Cascades.
The trail, which runs through the forest and along the water's edge, is slippery in places: be sure to wear sturdy footwear and bring a bag with plenty of water.
Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash.
This natural site is protected: swimming is prohibited.
This natural site is fragile and protected: help us to preserve it!

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 10935892

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello.
We did the route during a heavy frost, so it was absolutely splendid...
Good footwear is essential after heavy rain as the ground is very slippery. Today, to be on the safe side, I wore my crampons and have no regrets.

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User 19498371

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful winter hike. Be careful of icy areas in cold weather. It can be dangerous if slippery. Very beautiful views, with the last one being the most beautiful waterfall.

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March2b
March2b

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike. Very busy (done on a Sunday). Watch out for slippery spots.

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March2b
March2b

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely family walk

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User 4086454

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful autumn hike. Not too crowded outside of school holidays. It is important to note that the return journey involves a climb of around 260 metres, part of which is via metal steps or natural steps, which may be a little difficult for some people, but is still entirely accessible. The waterfalls are well worth the trip

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User 6922124

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 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 where you can discover seven beautiful waterfalls.
It's a round trip, so you can admire different views.
The hike takes us to the hedgehog house, which is not interesting because it was closed for the winter.
Be careful, however, as this hike is in a shaded area and, given the humidity, the ground can be slippery as there are lots of small rocks and pebbles.
I recommend this hike, it's very beautiful to see!

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Cancoillotte39
Cancoillotte39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk through the woods along the Hérisson river. To enjoy the waterfalls in summer, wait for rain, otherwise there will be little or no water. Even without water, the site is beautiful.
Be careful of very slippery rocks when wet.

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Orny
Orny

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I know this very well because I do it about twenty times a year, in all seasons
Avoid during school holidays and weekends. The best time to do it is in autumn or spring
On 22 August, we came across or passed between 500 and 1,000 people, but I was taking some friends from Brittany who were determined to see them despite the lack of water
However, you need to wear very good shoes and walking sticks are recommended as it is very slippery and there are roots

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trebig
trebig

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good

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virgule
virgule

Hello, I saw in another thread that there is talk of putting information about "overtourism" on this type of tourist route.

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Brochier yvette
Brochier yvette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with a series of stunning waterfalls
The only downside was that we went after three days of rain and there were far too many people!
But it was great!

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User 26144363

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The descriptions were clear and detailed.
Thanks to Visorando.

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Randosso
Randosso

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful ride with this well-known series of waterfalls.

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Zeb Myr
Zeb Myr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 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 hike, the various waterfalls are superb.

Be careful, night falls quickly at this time of year (late September), especially at the bottom of the valley. Don't let yourself be caught out

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massenetjepaul
massenetjepaul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was our third visit, we never tire of it, and neither do our grandchildren.

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