recommended route
Hike of the Clairefontaine waterfall
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Hike to Clairefontaine Waterfall Virieu le GrandPhoto: Maxime Ballet
From the centre of Virieu-le-Grand, follow Route d'Hauteville to the Chemin de Clairefontaine. You can cut the hairpins that wind up to the foot of the waterfall. The circuit then crosses the Chanille bridge before splitting into two more or less direct return options.
This hike can be downloaded on the free app Ain Outdoor.
Author’s recommendation
Top tips from the Tourist Office.
This pleasant hike allows you to discover the friendly village of Virieu-le-Grand and will take you up the Arène river to its two waterfalls.
The Clairefontaine waterfall, unlike its neighbors at Cerveyrieu and Pain de sucre, flows continuously all year round.
In clear weather, the viewpoint table located a little higher offers a very beautiful view of the Alps.
You can shorten the hike by parking in the hairpin bends of the D53 towards the Plateau d'Hauteville.
After the hike, enjoy the swimming lake of Virieu-le-Grand located nearby.
There are dining options in the center of Virieu-le-Grand as well as at the lake during the summer season.
We recommend nearby l'Auberge de Contrevoz and the restaurants le Séran and les Caudalies in Artemare.
This route is part of the "Ain Outdoor" selection.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Lake Virieu-Le-GrandRestaurant L'Auberge de Contrevoz
Restaurant Le Séran
Restaurant "Les Caudalies"
Hotel-restaurant Les Caudalies
Safety information
The area around the waterfall can be slippery and the access path is steep in places.
Defective waymarking, incidents / safety, usage conflicts, illegal dumping? : locate and share the problem encountered on the national alert system via the SURICATE app or via the site https://sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr/
Tips and suggestions
APIDAE Tourism data updated on 24/10/2022 by "Office de Tourisme Bugey Sud Grand Colombier".
An error on this sheet? Write to the owner mentioning these references:
Sheet name: Randonnée pédestre : Circuit de la cascade de Clairefontaine | Sheet ID: 5366559 | URL (link) of this page Outdooractive.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The Virieu-le-Grand Belley station is located on the Lyon-Geneva rail line and is less than an hour from Lyon and Ambérieu-en-Bugey.Directions
Car access is via the D1504 then the D904 via Ambérieu-en-Bugey or Belley.Parking
Parking is available at Place d'Honoré d'Urfé.Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
It is necessary to be equipped with good shoes.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Questions and answers
Ratings and reviews
Photos from others