Cascade de Salles-la-Source

Salles-la-Source

The Salles-la-Source waterfall drops in the middle of the village, between the houses, before reaching a pool extended by a cave. It is fed by an underground river whose origin is attributed to the Tindoul de la Vayssière aven or to the causse Comtal, and its flow varies greatly, up to nearly 700 L/s. Its height is given as more than 20 m by one source, while two others describe it in three tiers without a measurement. The water was used early for industry: from the 17th century an arm of the river drove the wheel of a spinning mill, and in 1928 a hydroelectric power station was supplied by a pipeline. The village today houses the museum of traditional arts and crafts in a former 19th-century wool spinning mill. For walking, a 3 cascades trail of 7 to 9 km links the main fall to the Roque waterfall and to belvederes. Spring is presented as the best time. No legend was found in the pages read.

Getting there: The fall is in the middle of the village, accessible without any notable walking; free car parks nearby, sloping streets and steps. For a hike: the 3 cascades trail of about 7 km (Routard); the Decathlon loop “Les 3 cascades de Salles-la-Source” gives 9.1 km (text: 9.87 km), 3 h 35, +343 m, moderate difficulty, starting from chemin de la Scierie, with one section blocked by a rockfall reported by a hiker. Spring: maximum flow. Coordinates from a single source (Tourisme Occitanie). Swimming: no information.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound