Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park at the Éventail, by the Maison des Cascades, walk up to the foot of the Cascade de l'Éventail, where the river fans out over a wide rock wall. The path climbs the wooded gorge beside the Hérisson by steps and rock paths, past the Grand Saut, which it passes behind, the Saut de la Forge and a string of smaller falls, to the Saut Girard and on to the hamlet of Ilay at the top. Return the same way.
It is 8 km there and back with 243 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: a well-made but steep path with many steps.
Steps and rock are slippery in wet weather, and the path can be closed or dangerous in ice and snow in winter; keep to it and away from the edges of the falls. The falls are fullest in spring and after rain, and can be thin in a dry late summer. Drones are banned over the valley.
The car park at the Éventail is the main one for the falls; there are also car parks at Ilay and near the Saut Girard.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The path climbs beside the Hérisson from the Éventail, past the Grand Saut and the Saut Girard, to the hamlet of Ilay
- Jura Tourisme gives about 7.4 km there and back for the whole path of the falls
- Steps and rock can be slippery, especially in wet weather and in winter; drones are banned over the valley
Getting there
Start: Parking de l'Éventail. 46.61483, 5.84591
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Gare de Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
