The Hérault waterfalls - short
Key facts
- Distance
- 3.3 km
- Ascent
- +202 m
- Descent
- −196 m
- Estimated time
- 1 hr 15
- hiking
- Difficulty
- Easy
- official rating
- Route
- Out and back
- same way back
Profile and gradient
- under 10%
- 10 to 20%
- over 20%
Gradient along the route: 1.7 km under 10%, 1.2 km at 10 to 20% and 0.4 km over 20%. Elevation from 1,237 m to 1,366 m over 3.3 km.
Surface and path types
- Surface
- Paved 6%
- Dirt & gravel 90%
- Unknown 4%
- Path types
- Trail 88%
- Track 2%
- Road 6%
- Off-network 4%
Description
A path exploring the first kilometres of the River Hérault, before its waters rush down the steep slopes to the Mediterranean. From the dividing line between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean (Serreyrède pass), this path winds through the forest on the steep southern slopes of Mont Aigoual. Dotted with varied texts on fauna, flora and forest management, referred to in the leaflet, it makes its way to a spectacular viewpoint over the Hérault waterfalls. Une variante, plus longue, est possible depuis la station de Prat Peyrot.
Difficulty
Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.
Before you go
- Narrow and craggy path, firm shoes are essential. Do not leave the path as this environment is unstable and very delicate. Horse-riding or mountain-biking are not allowed on or adapted to discovery trails.
Getting there
Start: Maison de l'Aigoual, Val-d'Aigoual (30).
Sources
- Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/37998-Les-cascades-de-l-Herault---court). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
- Surface and path types: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, extract of 28 October 2026, matched to the track every 10 m (openstreetmap.org/copyright)
- Official elevation gain: 202 m, Parc national des Cévennes
Nearby tracks
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Col de la CaumetteCévennes, Val-d'Aigoual (30) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Trévezel: the botanists' and foresters' pathCévennes, Val-d'Aigoual (30) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026La DauphineCévennes, Val-d'Aigoual (30) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026The Hérault waterfalls - longCévennes, Meyrueis (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Les Balcons de l’Aigoual: a land art circuitCévennes, Val-d'Aigoual (30) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026L'Hort de Dieu arboretum, shortCévennes, Val-d'Aigoual (30) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes