15 November 2024.
Cascade d’Ars, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the French Pyrenees, is an easy day hike in the Ariège region. Discover everything you need to know for the walk in this guide.
Tucked away in the lush forested foothills of the Ariège Pyrenees, Cascade d’Ars is among the prettiest in the region.
Fed by the Rivière d’Ars, the waterfall tumbles from the escarpment, spanning more than 200 metres over three distinct stages.
The falls are easily accessible along a straightforward out and back trail from the small spa town of Aulus-les-Bains, however those interested in a longer hike should consider adding the detour to Étang de Guzet which creates a beautiful and more active circular route.
This detailed hiking guide covers everything you need to know for your visit to Cascade d’Ars.
Distance | 8.5 km return / 14 km (via Étang de Guzet)
Duration | 3 hours / 6 hours
Elevation | 773 m to 1,302 m / 1,591 m (518 m / 903 m elevation gain)
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Trailhead | Parking Cascade d’Ars, Aulus-les-Bains
Located in the verdant Vallée du Garbet, the small village of Aulus-les-Bains is the starting point for the hike to Cascade d’Ars.
The historic town of Foix, the capital of the Ariège region, is located around 1.5 hours away, while Toulouse, the nearest major city, can be reached in around 2 hours.
Toulouse-Blagnac is the closest international airport to the Ariège Pyrenees and is extremely well connected to the rest of Europe. Toulouse is also a major transport hub for train and bus travel, both within France and internationally.
Aulus-les-Bains can be approached from either the east or west, but with countless meandering mountain roads to be found in this part of the countryside, the fastest route is rarely the most beautiful.
From Toulouse, take the A64 to Saint-Martory or the A66 to Pamiers and turn onto the D117 to Saint-Girons. Follow the D618 towards Oust and either the D32 or the pretty D8F via Col de Latrape to Aulus-les-Bains.
Alternatively, navigate from Saint-Girons to Castillon-en-Couserans and take the beautiful mountain road east via Lac de Bethmale and Col de la Core. Or on the far side, continue south from Pamiers to Foix and Tarascon-sur-Ariège and take one of the slow but scenic country roads west from there.
From Aulus-les-Bains, cross over the Garbet River and in 500 m you’ll arrive at a hairpin bend where you can park. Parking is free and there’s a wide unpaved shoulder on both sides of the road.
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FIND YOUR RENTAL CAR // For the Ariège Pyrenees, Toulouse is the best option to collect your rental car and you’ll find numerous companies with offices in the airport and central train station.
For this trip I used and would recommend Discover Cars who offered by far the most competitive rates for the region. Find the best deals here.
Public transport in the Ariège Pyrenees is extremely limited and there is no direct option to reach Aulus-les-Bains.
From Toulouse, regular trains travel to Foix and Tarascon-sur-Ariège, following the Ariège River in the east, or Saint-Martory in the west. Check the timetable here.
From these locations, the only option for reaching Aulus-les-Bains is through car pooling via BlaBlaCar. Check transport options here.
Though Aulus-les-Bains is the closest village to Cascade d’Ars, accommodation here is very limited so I’d recommend staying further afield instead.
The Seix-Oust community is located at the confluence of the Garbat and Salat Rivers just 30 minutes from Aulus-les-Bains and has several options, while the larger towns of Saint-Girons and Tarascon-Sur-Ariège are well served and offer better facilities.
Auberge Du Haut Salat | This characterful 19th century guesthouse beside the river makes a great budget option in the heart of the mountains. The hosts are warm and the simple rooms are spacious and comfortable. The terrace bar is a popular local watering hole, but I’d skip the in-house restaurant and head for dinner at the excellent pizza truck across the road instead. The village boulangerie also has some fab pastries, if you can get past the lukewarm welcome. Check rates and availability here.
Jardin Bleu | This small, cosy hotel in the heart of Saint-Girons is another decent choice from which to explore the area and features an onsite restaurant. Guests love the friendly hosts, comfortable rooms and communal garden. Check rates and availability here.
Le Jardin de Moulis | Located a short way from Saint-Girons, this lovely bed and breakfast offers beautifully renovated rooms with a terrace that leads onto the leafy garden. An excellent breakfast is included and a delicious 3-course dinner made from local produce is also available by reservation. Check rates and availability here.
From the trailhead, the path climbs gradually along a wide gravel road through a beautiful section of lush beech forest before arriving alongside the Ars River.
My Pyrenees hiking trip in early September coincided with days of intense rainfall and the whole area was heaving with water.
Tiny streams trickled down the slopes, roaring cascades gathered in turquoise pools beside the trail, and the swollen river hurtled down the valley.
About half an hour into the hike, you’ll pass the sign for Piste du Fouillet – this is where the circular route rejoins the trail for those taking the detour to Étang de Guzet.
Climbing higher, the powerful thread of Cascade d’Ars springs into view above the treetops, plunging over the cliffs beneath an impressive wall of rock.
After 2.8 km, the trail forks where a set of tyre tracks lead straight ahead and the gravel road veers to the left.
Take the left path and a short way ahead you’ll arrive at a bridge over the river – a picturesque scene where cascades churn beneath an overhanging tree alongside the trail.
Onwards, a smaller walking trail continues along the left side of the valley up a series of switchbacks beside the river.
Boulders encrusted in brilliant green moss line the trail, while leaves speckled with raindrops dance in the breeze overhead.
In just 800 m, you’ll reach a gap in the forest which offers up a fantastic view of the three levels of the waterfall ahead – the powerful single drop tumbling from the upper cliffs, the wide second stage cascading across the rock face, and the small lower falls coursing over jagged boulders to reform the river below.
A short way further along, the path skirts around the edge of the trees and scrambles up a steep, slippery section to emerge on a rock platform at the base of the falls.
After only 2 hours on trail, you’ll be gazing up at the roaring middle step of the Cascade d’Ars. Don’t forget to look back for a glorious outlook over the valley towards the tiny village in the distance.
For those finishing their hike here, enjoy a lovely break beside the waterfall before heading back the way you came.
If you’re pushing on to Étang de Guzet, head back into the forest and follow the steep zigzag trail up the slope which will bring you to the plateau in 1 km.
About half way up, the trail crosses a small stream and approaches the base of the upper falls as they plunge over the escarpment.
Onwards, the path swings left again, climbing above the tree line to the top of the slope.
After so much rainfall in the days prior, the path here was basically a river during my visit and I was grateful to have opted for my waterproof boots rather than my runners.
Over the rise, the rocky peaks loom straight ahead. The trail darts back to the right, bringing you down a small hill into a grassy clearing by the river and welcoming you into the upper reaches of the Ars Valley.
A signpost here indicates the way to Étang de Guzet across the bridge, the Passerelle d’Ars, but there is also a tiny trail that heads directly up the valley towards Étang de Cabadas.
Beneath the rocky hump of Cap de Pich and the ridge that frames the valley, this section of the river is simply beautiful, particularly if you’re lucky enough to have the sun break through the clouds.
Over the river, the trail climbs gradually as it wraps around the folds of the valley wall, weaving in and out of the forest for the next 2 km.
Though there are a few short, steep bursts that bring you to the highest point of the trail, the way is mostly level until you reach the saddle at Col du Guzet.
This is a popular area for shepherds to graze their livestock and it’s not uncommon to hear the metallic tinkle of bells through the trees or encounter herds of sheep scattered across the hillside beyond.
Pushing on, you’ll also catch glimpses between the trees of the hulking peaks and dramatic ridge lines of the neighbouring valleys.
Emerging from the forest, you’ll arrive at a grassy plateau with a small hiking cabin off to the left – the Cabane de Guzet – and the saddle up ahead. In terms of distance, this marks the halfway point of the hike.
Several small streams cross through here on their journey to the valley and it can become particularly wet and swampy after rainfall.
Another good reason to wear reliable, waterproof boots for the hike, despite the terrain not being too demanding.
Crossing over Col du Guzet, the trail descends quickly via a rocky trail that is soon shrouded in forest and will bring you to the Étang de Guzet in just 600 m.
Though the pool isn’t directly on the trail, as you approach, there are two small paths that veer off to the left. The first is very steep and more direct, while the second is more gradual.
Both open onto the northern bank of the calm, mirror-like lake encircled in greenery.
From the Passerelle d’Ars, it’s 2.7 km and around 1 hour of walking to reach Étang de Guzet.
Onwards from the lake, the trail pitches sharply down through a section of switchbacks before continuing alongside the river past some beautiful cascades.
Descending deeper into the valley, low lying cloud and thick mist fill the forest, creating a wonderfully atmospheric scene.
After 1.3 km, the path opens onto the Plateau du Souliou, a vast hilltop carpeted in bracken where the trail splits – the left fork leads to Cascade du Fouillet, while the right is for the Piste du Fouillet and is the most direct route back to Aulus-les-Bains.
Admittedly, the signage is a little confusing for this final stretch so I’d recommend keeping an eye on your map, but for the most part, it’s the pastel yellow markers that will lead the way.
Cross directly through the bracken and descend back into the forest along further switchbacks towards a wide gravel road. This is marked with a large wooden sign that points back up the hill and indicates the way to the plateau.
Head right here, following the wide track downhill for 1.2 km to rejoin the gravel road from earlier this morning at the Piste du Fouillet intersection.
Continue left for the final 1.8 km to arrive back at the car park after a fantastic waterfall hike in the leafy Pyrenean foothills.
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