Fontcouverte waterfall loop

Starting from Névache Ville Haute, strap on your snowshoes and set off along the snow-covered Haute Vallée trail. This first part of the walk takes place on this shared trail, which is occasionally groomed to the delight of hikers, ski tourers and cross-country skiers.

After passing the chapel of Notre Dame de Bon Secours and the chapel of Sainte Barbe, a sign on the left indicates the Buffère refuge; cross the snow-covered plain to cross the Rately bridge, then continue along the right bank of the river. The "Cascade de Fontcouverte" signs will point you in the right direction.

Along the river, between forests and snow-covered plains, you'll pass the chalets de Basse Gardioles and then the chalets de la Meuille... the imposing Massif du Queyrellin rises up before you.

You'll soon arrive at the beautiful, partly frozen Fontcouverte waterfall, then a little further on, the hamlet of Fontcouverte, where you can take a short break in the warmth of the rustic Fruitière restaurant.

You can then return down the snow-covered road, passing through the typical old chalets of Lacha and Sausse.

Caution: in summer, this route leaves Névache on the right bank via the Outre bridge, on the left just after the church; it is avalanche-prone and totally inadvisable in winter.