The Hérisson Waterfalls

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Whatever your level or motivation, the Hérisson Waterfalls are accessible to all.
This is the trail to discover the waterfalls! It allows you to admire all seven waterfalls. Discover this sequence in one direction and then the other. A walk along the water with a few narrow passages. The starting point of the trail is at the Maison des Cascades.

Details

n°66064178
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 279 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 271 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 732 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 515 m
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Photos

Hérisson Waterfalls
The Girard waterfall and its Lynx
hérisson waterfalls
hérisson waterfalls

Description of the walk

The starting and finishing point is the Éventail car park, near the Maison des Cascades. It is located in Val Dessus in Menétrux-en-Joux.
To get there from Doucier, follow the signs for "Maison des Cascades". GPS coordinates: Longitude 46.614673 / Latitude 5.837866

__Signposting: follow the wooden signs with yellow lettering__

(S/E) With your back to the car park, take the small path that runs alongside the road to reach the Maison des Cascades.

(1) Continue to the end of the road and follow the path to L'Éventail, the first and largest of the waterfalls.

(2) Go around the waterfall on the right bank and cross the stream via the Sarrazine footbridge.

(3) Then keep left towards the Grand-Saut.

(4) Admire the view, then return to the trail and continue towards Gour Bleu.

(5) The colours of this small waterfall at Gour Bleu are remarkable. Continue towards the Château Garnier waterfall.

(6) Leave the path on the right and continue straight on to Saut de la Forge: a steep, steep waterfall, contrasting with its surroundings, which can be impressive depending on the water flow.

(7) Turn right to join a road on the left and arrive at Moulin Jeunet. This is the penultimate waterfall on the trail.

(8) Do not take the footbridge, as the path crosses the Hérisson and heads towards the Hameau de la Fromagerie. Continue straight ahead until you reach a path on the left. Follow it to Saut Girard.

(9) Arrive at the foot of the waterfall. It is possible to access a footbridge to reach the foot of the waterfall. After admiring it, turn back and return to the car park via the same route (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 515 m - Éventail car park - Maison des Cascades
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 520 m - Maison des Cascades
  3. 2 : km 0.62 - alt. 553 m - Cascade de l'Éventail
  4. 3 : km 0.86 - alt. 593 m - Sarrazine footbridge
  5. 4 : km 1.45 - alt. 678 m - Gour Bleu
  6. 5 : km 1.77 - alt. 690 m - Chateau Garnier
  7. 6 : km 2 - alt. 705 m - Saut de la Forge
  8. 7 : km 2.52 - alt. 717 m - Jeunet Mill - Hérisson (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ain
  9. 8 : km 3.32 - alt. 732 m - Saut-Girard
  10. 9 : km 3.36 - alt. 731 m - Saut Girard
  11. S/E : km 6.72 - alt. 515 m - Éventail car park - Maison des Cascades

Notes

The snack bar at the Hérisson campsite is open every day from April to September, and during weekends and school holidays in low season (please check before you leave if you wish to stop there by calling 06 59 37 66 68).

The Éventail car park is subject to a charge from April to September, as this enables the site and its facilities (Maison des Cascades, Point i, souvenir shop and toilets) to be maintained. These facilities are open every day from April to September.

Toilets are located at the Maison des Cascades and the Fromagerie and are accessible from April to November (closed in winter due to frost).

The trail can be slippery in places, so it is essential to wear hiking boots. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash.

This natural site is protected: we ask that you refrain from swimming here. This natural site is fragile, so please help us to preserve it!

Worth a visit

(1): Just before the spectacular Cascade de l'Éventail waterfall, come and visit the Maison des Cascades du Hérisson and watch our new documentary film. You will discover all the secrets of the Cascades du Hérisson through the museum and the audiovisual room. Open from April to September. Free visit with the Cascad'Pass (parking ticket).

(6) Château Garnier Waterfall: The waters of the Hérisson were used by humans from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century. Château Garnier drew its wealth from these turbulent waters, but today only a few remains are left.

We also invite you to visit Lac de Bonlieu, Pic de l'Aigle, Belvédère des quatre Lacs, Lac de Chalain... all beautiful places to visit around our site. Come and see us at the Terre d'Émeraude Tourisme tourist information offices and we will help you plan your stay!

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Stef74
Stef74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In my opinion, starting from the Éventail car park is the best way to do the waterfall route.
Admittedly, you start with the most impressive one, but the outward journey is uphill and the return journey is downhill.
What's more, seeing each waterfall head-on is much nicer than seeing them as you descend, which means you have to keep turning around.

I set off early after some snowfall during the night, and the light, mist and very strong flow of the falls at this time of year only made the hike even more beautiful, with the feeling of being alone in the world.

Absolutely magnificent, but I understand that during busy periods it loses some of its charm, especially in summer when the flow is much reduced.

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Flanker
Flanker
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a beautiful hike in ideal weather after the rains we've had here. The autumn colours and the generosity of the Hérisson really cheered us up. Obviously, there weren't many people out on this Wednesday in November, but we weren't alone either.

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Pinot68
Pinot68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route to hike. The waterfalls had enough water, but it was a rainy day with slippery rocks. Because of the rocks and rain, we only did half of the route, about 3 km. The next day, we did the other half in the opposite direction in dry weather, starting at the Gérard waterfall. Two hikes for the same route, two different starting points, one with paid parking (Les Cascades du Hérisson) and the other with free parking (Les 7 Cascades du Hérisson). So it was a good time to go because there weren't many people and the waterfalls were full, but there was a risk of rain, so it was slippery.

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philippe691
philippe691

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The crowds and lack of water at the end of the season make the experience a little disappointing.
It's a shame.

For those south of the site: go to the hike
https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-les-...

which avoids unnecessary driving.

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User 7575846

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty route, but too busy in summer. It would be more interesting to do it in spring outside school holidays and during high water periods.

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Margotton
Margotton

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant day and weather, not many people on the trail to pass;
the bad news is that year after year, the water level is dropping...

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