Vaux marsh from the heights of Nantuy

On the D8, at Croix du Puiset, take a small road on the right towards Nantuy. Pass two crossroads and then, at the third, a fork in the road, continue for a few metres and leave your vehicle in a space on the left-hand side of the road. An alternative car park, which is easier to find, is located at Plan d'Eau des Lésines.

Orange and red markings (old) and Nordic walking 13

(S/E) Continue westwards until you reach the intersection, then follow the path opposite, which soon enters the woods. At the three forks in the path, keep to the right. You will come to an intersection with a path branching off to the left at a hairpin bend, at an orange wooden post at the top of Orange.

No markings

(1) Leave the markings and follow this path, still in the woods. Ignore two vague paths on the left, at another orange post at the top, ignore a hairpin path on the right, then ignore another path on the left before arriving at a new intersection.

Markings Nordic walking 13 and Yellow in the opposite direction

(2) Keep to the right; the path on the left is the return route. Further on, you will come to a street in Nantuy. Follow it for a few metres to find the Chemin des Tunnels starting on the right (marked by a large cross at the edge).

No markings

Follow this path for a round trip to the top of the Charabotte Waterfall. At the first fork, keep right; at the second fork, with a homemade purple waterfall sign and an arrow, keep left. The path, which is high above the Albarine, is quite steep and can be slippery in wet weather. When you reach the top of the waterfall, facing the (closed) tunnel, use the handrail and footrests to descend and cross the Albarine on a block of stone. Viewpoint over the Albarine valley.

(4) Retrace your steps along the same steep path. (It is possible to return via the other side of the stream. There is a beautiful path. Unfortunately, it joins the D21, which you then have to follow for the rest of the route: dangerous road.)

Markings: Nordic walking 13 and yellow in the opposite direction

(3) Back in Nantuy, continue straight ahead then quickly turn right to cross the bridge over the Albarine. Continue straight ahead, cross the D21 with caution and follow the road opposite towards Les Dergis. At the intersection, turn left onto Route des Sapins. Ignore a path on the left.

Old orange and red markings

(5) At the fork in the road, leave Route des Sapins on the left and continue straight ahead on Route Forestière des Dergis. Ignore a path on the left. Further on, leave the road and follow a path that branches off to the left into the undergrowth, also marked in yellow.

No markings

(6) At the first intersection, ignore the markings and follow the path down to the left. Shortly afterwards, it turns right and continues above the Plan d'Eau des Lésines lake, through the undergrowth, but a few openings on the left offer some views.

Old orange and red markings and yellow markings

(7) At the intersection with a path, follow it to the left and immediately ignore a path on the right. About 400 m further on, a path branches off to the left at a Conservatoire Espace Naturel sign. Leave the orange and red markings.

Yellow markings

(8) Turn left at a right angle and begin a long walk along a footbridge to cross the Marais de Vaux (there are a few information signs along the way). At the end of the footbridge, continue for about 100 metres until you reach the horse hut (information sign).

(9) Turn left just after the hut and follow the path that runs along the marsh and horse pastures, slightly higher up. Further on, it runs alongside a water catchment area, then arrives at a path.

(10) Turn left onto the wide path, then left again further on onto a trail. At a fork in the trail, keep right, then cross a bridge and continue to a picnic area on the edge of the Plan d'Eau des Lésines lake. Cross the lake, then take a short walk along the edge of the pond on a wide path.

Back at the picnic area, continue straight ahead, join the Route des Sapins and follow it to the left.

No markings

Continue along the road, leaving a path marked with yellow markings on your left. You will reach a road junction that you passed on the way there.

Markings: Nordic walking 13, yellow and old orange and red

(5) Turn right to retrace your steps in the opposite direction: cross the D21, go over the bridge over the Albarine and turn left.

(3) Leave Chemin des Tunnels on your left, continue along the path through the woods, uphill this time, and return to the intersection you passed on the way there. Leave the yellow markings that go off to the left.

Markings: Nordic walking 13 and old orange and red

(2) Keep to the right and continue climbing through the woods. Further on, ignore a path on the left and you will come to a road. Follow it to the left. At the next intersection, take the road on the right to quickly return to the car park (S/E).

Difficulty: Moderate, leaning towards easy. Standard hiking gear; a walking stick may be useful on the short, steep path to the Charabotte rock (top of the waterfall).

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

There is a lovely view from the top of the waterfall, but to see the waterfall itself, you will need to cross the road below, either before or after your hike (preferably by car, as the road is dangerous). At the edge of the lake and in the marsh: birds (you will need binoculars), amphibians, dragonflies...