Cascade de Runes

Cascade de Runes is a waterfall on the southern slopes of Mont Lozère, in the commune of Pont de Montvert – Sud Mont Lozère, in the Lozère department, within the Cévennes region of southern France. Water tumbles here over the granite rock of the Mont Lozère massif in two distinct drops before the stream continues on to join the Tarn river. The site sits in the peripheral zone of the Cévennes National Park and forms part of the Cévennes Biosphere Reserve, and it has carried legal protection as a classified natural site since 1942.

How tall is the waterfall?

Cascade de Runes reaches a combined height of roughly 60 metres, split across two separate drops. The upper fall measures around 46 metres and plunges into a gorge about 7 metres deep, while the second, lower drop adds a further 24 metres. This two-tier structure cut into solid rock is what sets the site apart from other watercourses in the Lozère and Cévennes area.

What is the story behind the waterfall's name?

At the foot of the falls sits a stone carved with a serpent, or dragon, biting its own tail, and inside that circle runs an inscription describing a path "from the earth to the sky and from the sky to the earth." Local tradition attributes the carving to Vikings said to have travelled through the Mont Lozère area toward the end of the first millennium. The claim is impossible to verify historically, but the tale is still told by local guides and by residents of the nearby village of Runes, which gives the waterfall its name.

How do you get to Cascade de Runes?

Most visitors start from the village of Pont de Montvert and follow the road toward Mende until reaching the village of Runes, where a car park serves the site. From there, a path running alongside the stream leads up to the falls; depending on the route taken, the walk takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes one way, with only modest elevation gain. No special fitness is required, but sturdy shoes are worth wearing, since the path can be uneven and stony close to the water.

When is the best time to visit?

The most rewarding period runs from March to October, when water flow tends to be at its most impressive and the approach path is dry and easy to walk. Flow can drop noticeably in high summer, while in spring, once snow on Mont Lozère has started melting, the falls often carry considerably more water.

What should visitors know before going?

Cascade de Runes lies within the protected buffer zone of the Cévennes National Park, so it is worth sticking to a few basic rules: stay on the marked path rather than scrambling off it, take any litter back out, and keep noise down out of respect for the wildlife that lives in the area. It makes for a short, satisfying half-day outing during a stay on Mont Lozère, and pairs well with a visit to the village of Pont de Montvert itself.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cascade de Runes? The waterfall totals around 60 metres, made up of two drops of roughly 46 and 24 metres.

Where exactly is the waterfall located? In the commune of Pont de Montvert – Sud Mont Lozère, in the Lozère department, within the Cévennes region, near the village of Runes.

How long does the walk to the waterfall take? Depending on the route, the approach from the car park takes about 35 to 40 minutes each way.

Is the trail difficult? No, it is a short, easy walk, though the path can be uneven and stony near the water.

What legend is connected to this site? A carved stone at the base of the falls, showing a serpent biting its own tail with an inscription about the path between earth and sky, is locally linked to Vikings who are said to have passed through Mont Lozère.