Cascade des Saliens, Waterfall near Nébouzat, France
The Cascade des Saliens is a series of three waterfalls north of the village of Nébouzat, in the Puy-de-Dôme in Auvergne, fed by a small stream called the Gigeole. The three falls are close to one another, with the third set a little further into the forest, dropping over dark basalt rock covered in moss and ferns.
The rocks at the Cascade des Saliens are made of basalt, a volcanic rock formed by ancient lava flows that shaped much of the Auvergne landscape. Over thousands of years, the water of the Gigeole carved through this hard rock, creating the basins and steps visible today.
The name Cascade des Saliens comes from the nearby hamlet of Saliens, located along the RD2089, which also serves as one of the two starting points for the walk. The site is popular with families, partly because dogs are welcome on the trail.
The Cascade des Saliens can be reached from two starting points: the hamlet of Saliens on the RD2089, just past a roundabout, or from the nearby Domes campsite. Both walks take around 20 minutes, and sturdy footwear is a good idea, especially for the path leading to the third fall, which can be slippery when wet.
The Cascade des Saliens is one stop on a circuit linking eight waterfalls across the Auvergne VolcanSancy area, with driving sections connecting each one. Anyone completing the full loop covers roughly 80 kilometers by car in total.
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