Free
Cascade du Rouget
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
80 m waterfall nicknamed 'Queen of the Alps', accessible year-round from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Free access, parking, GR5 trails, Giffre Valley.
Free · Open access
Cascades de Sixt Trail
Sentier de découverte des cascades du fond du Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval - Réserve naturelle de Sixt-Passy, Bout du Monde à 6 km en boucle.
Kakapo 74 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Hiking trail - nature reserve
Access
Free access · Free
Price
Free all year round
Duration
2 h 30 - 3 h
Best season
May-October
Parking
Free at the start
Animals
Allowed on a leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
NO (nature trail)
Town
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
What is Cascades de Sixt Trail
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt runs along the floor of the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, one of the largest natural amphitheatres in Europe, in the heart of the Sixt-Passy National Nature Reserve (created in 1977, 9,200 hectares). The 6 km loop leads to the spot known as the Bout du Monde, at the very back of the cirque.
Depending on the season, up to 30 waterfalls can be seen along the route, including the Cascade de la Pleureuse and the Cascade de la Sauffaz. They are most spectacular during the snowmelt in May and June. The trail is easy underfoot, with around 200 m of elevation gain on a moderate gradient.
Free access all year, no ticketing. Difficulty: moderate. Distance: 6 km loop, 2-3 h walking time. Best season: May to October. Free parking at the entrance to the cirque. Not suitable for wheelchairs (mountain trail); dogs on leads accepted.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Start: Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (74740) · 6 km loop · 200 m elevation gain View on map
Coordinates
46.05° N · 6.7833° E
Altitude
950 m (Bout du Monde) to 1,150 m
Opening hours
FREE ACCESS 24/7, all year round, on the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Recommended season: May-October. Off-season conditions vary. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
FREE ENTRY on the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt for everyone, all year round. No ticketing. Refuges and accommodation are paid if used as a stopover (€50-90/night half-board depending on refuge). Verified on 24 May 2026.
Booking
No booking needed for the trail itself on the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Booking refuges/accommodation is recommended from January-April for the summer season, depending on refuge. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the start of the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Capacity varies by season. Additional parking in the village if summer capacity is reached.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a leash on the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Take care in protected areas (nature reserves) and on technical sections.
Accessibility
Reduced mobility access: NO (nature trail) for the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Check conditions on site. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Time needed
2 h 30 - 3 h for the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt depending on fitness. Length 6 km loop · 200 m elevation gain. Shorter variants possible depending on route.
Contact
Local tourist office + Haute-Savoie departmental council, hautesavoie.fr. FFRandonnée Haute-Savoie for GR routes. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (74740) is accessible by car from Annecy/Geneva/Sallanches depending on where you're coming from. Free parking at the start of the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Follow local signage.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Public transport depending on seasonal route to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Léman Express + Région Haute-Savoie coaches + Mont-Blanc Express depending on area. Check seasonal timetables.
Open in MapsBy bike
Cycling is recommended on greenways where the route is a greenway. For walking trails, cycling is not recommended on the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Aire de Camping-Car · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-CMG, Y02, Y94 · 777 m
- Gare Routiere · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · N-CMG, Y02, Y94 · 846 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt is best walked mainly during the May-October season. Off-season: conditions vary depending on altitude. THE CIRQUE DU FER-À-CHEVAL, ONE OF THE LARGEST NATURAL CIRQUES IN EUROPE - 30 waterfalls visible during the snowmelt season (May-June). Sixt-Passy national nature reserve, 9,200 ha. 'Bout du Monde', a legendary name. Route type: hiking trail - nature reserve, 6 km loop · 200 m elevation gain, moderate.
Events : Local events depending on the commune of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Follow the local tourist office and hautesavoie.fr for the calendar of events linked to the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is access to the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt paid?
No. Access to the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt is free all year round for everyone. No ticketing, no toll. Route open at all times, subject to season and weather conditions.
How long is the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt?
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt is a 6 km loop · 200 m elevation gain. Average duration 2 h 30 - 3 h depending on fitness. Moderate difficulty. Route type: hiking trail - nature reserve.
What are the opening hours of the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt?
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt is freely accessible 24/7 all year round. Recommended season May-October. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
How difficult is the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt?
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt has a moderate difficulty rating. Length 6 km loop · 200 m elevation gain. Duration 2 h 30 - 3 h. Altitude 950 m (Bout du Monde) to 1,150 m. Suited to hikers depending on fitness.
Is the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Reduced mobility access: NO (nature trail) for the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt. Check conditions on site. For an accessible alternative, see the Voie verte du Lac d'Annecy or Sentier des Roselières Saint-Jorioz if this one is not accessible.
When can you do the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt?
Recommended season for the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt: May-October. Off-season conditions vary depending on altitude and snow cover. Check conditions with the local tourist office before setting out.
How do you get to the Sentier des Cascades de Sixt?
The Sentier des Cascades de Sixt starts from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (74740). A car is recommended to reach the start. Free parking at the starting points. Public transport depending on route and season.
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Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
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Abbaye de Sixt
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