The Hérisson waterfalls are not one waterfall but a whole walk. Over roughly 3.7 kilometres the river drops through a staircase of limestone ledges, forming 31 falls, pools and rapids in a deep wooded valley. The path follows the water across footbridges and stone steps, and the scene changes at almost every bend.

The essentials

• Where: mainly at Ménétrux-en-Joux, in the heart of the Jura lakes region.
• The falls: 31 in total, of which 7 are considered the main ones.
• The full walk: about 7.4 km return, roughly 3 hours, with 250 to 300 metres of climb depending on the route.
• The highest fall: the Éventail (the Fan), 65 metres.
• Access: the trail is free and open all year, weather permitting. Parking is charged from the first weekend of April to 30 September: €5 up to one hour, €10 up to four hours, €15 beyond.
• Rules: the path is for walkers only. Dogs are allowed on a lead; swimming in the falls and pools is forbidden; the trail is not suitable for pushchairs.

Where the water comes from

The Hérisson is fed by the lakes of Bonlieu and Ilay. As it crosses the valley it cuts through successive bands of limestone, producing the sequence of falls, basins, rapids and quieter stretches that makes up the walk. The valley has been protected as a listed landscape since April 2002 and belongs to the Vallée du Hérisson and Plateau des 7 Lacs natural area, which takes part in the Réseau des Grands Sites de France.

It was not always a place for a day out. For centuries the people here used the force of the torrent to drive mills and work metal. Remains of old mills and forges are still visible along the path — the names Saut de la Forge and Moulin Jeunet say so directly.

The seven main falls

The Éventail — 65 metres

The largest and most photographed fall spreads across a wide rock face like an open fan, which is where the name comes from. When the flow is high it covers most of the cliff. From the Maison des Cascades car park at the bottom of the valley it is only about 400 metres away, so you can see it even if you do not intend to walk the whole route.

The Grand Saut — 60 metres

Higher up, the water drops almost vertically into a much narrower gorge. Stay on the marked path: the rocks are often wet and slippery, and the areas behind the fall that were once accessible are now closed.

The Gour Bleu

Here the water gathers in a pool whose colour shifts with the light. When the sun comes through the trees, the water, moss and rock together make the most photogenic point on the walk.

Château Garnier

A quieter stop, set in dense greenery where the stream almost disappears under the trees. This stretch is noticeably calmer than the crowds around the two big falls.

Saut de la Forge and Moulin Jeunet

The Saut de la Forge sits roughly halfway along and can also be reached from Bonlieu — useful if you would rather not start at the very bottom or the very top. The Moulin Jeunet follows shortly after, with more visible remains of the old waterworks.

The Saut Girard — about 35 metres

At the top of the valley near Ilay, a viewing platform looks over this fall. It is a few minutes from the Ilay car park, which makes it the best option for families, for anyone who walks with difficulty, and for visitors who only want a short stroll.

Where to park — the car park decides your walk

There are three ways in, and your choice determines the order you see the falls in and how much climbing you do.

Maison des Cascades, at the bottom

The main access, at Ménétrux-en-Joux, reached via Doucier. From here you start with the Éventail and climb steadily towards the Grand Saut and beyond. Parking is charged in season, and the ticket normally includes the exhibition space at the Maison des Cascades. Toilets, a shop and light refreshments are available during the opening season. Rates can change, so check before you set off.

Bonlieu, in the middle

The approach from Bonlieu brings you out at the Saut de la Forge, about halfway up the valley. Parking here is free. It lets you see part of the site without the full climb from the Éventail — just plan your way back before you start.

Ilay, at the top

The upper access reaches the Saut Girard and the Moulin Jeunet in a few minutes. The short family loop starts here.

Four versions, depending on time and legs

• The Éventail only: park at the Maison des Cascades and walk about 400 metres — five to fifteen minutes on a stony, gently rising path. Proper shoes still matter.
• The family loop from the top: from the Ilay car park, a circuit of about 1.6 km taking in the Moulin Jeunet and the Saut Girard. Allow an hour to an hour and a quarter if you stop to look. Ideal with children, or when you still want time for the lakes.
• The full out-and-back: about 7.4 km return, roughly three hours plus stops. From the Maison des Cascades you climb first and return down the same path. Despite the modest distance this is not a stroll: some sections are steep, wet or stepped.
• The big loop via the Éventail belvedere: about 11.6 km, around four hours, with noticeably more climb. It runs through the woods around Ménétrux-en-Joux and suits experienced walkers. Take enough water, food and a map.

When to come

The season changes the site completely. After the spring rains and snowmelt the falls carry the most water and are at their most impressive. In a dry summer the flow can drop sharply — check the water level before making a long drive. Autumn brings the colours of the beech woods and far fewer people. In winter the path stays open in principle, but ice can make sections dangerous: ask locally before setting out.

Practical advice

• Shoes with grip are essential. The path is steep in places, with steps and wet rock. Wet limestone is the main cause of trouble here.
• Come early in July and August. The car parks fill quickly and the lower section gets crowded.
• Share a car: in season you pay per vehicle, not per person.
• Dogs on a lead along the whole trail — it is a rule, not a request.
• No swimming. The ban covers every fall and pool, the Gour Bleu included.
• No pushchairs. With small children, use a carrier or take the short loop from Ilay.

Where to stay near the Hérisson waterfalls

The falls sit in the middle of the lakes region and are an easy drive from our gîtes. Our gîte with private spa and sauna at Orgelet is the obvious choice after a day on the trail, and our group gîte takes a larger party. If you would rather walk flat and shaded, Lake Vouglans has the shore paths, and our guide to hiking in the Jura covers the rest of the walks worth doing. For a first trip, the first-timer's guide to the Jura sets the scene.

Questions before booking? The easiest way to reach us is by email: write to us in English and we will reply in English.

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