Cascade du Dard

Cascade du Dard is a mountain waterfall in the commune of Cevins, set within the Beaufortain massif in the Tarentaise valley (Savoie, France). Fed by a torrent that cuts through a steep, rocky gorge, the falls are the centerpiece of one of the more rewarding day hikes in this part of the French Alps, combining a rugged streambed ascent with wide panoramic views from a nearby mountain pass.

Where is Cascade du Dard located?

The waterfall lies above the hamlet of Bénétant, part of the commune of Cevins, at roughly 1,240 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Beaufortain massif. The surrounding terrain is typical of the Tarentaise valley: forested slopes, rocky gorges, and open pastures higher up. Administratively, the area sits within the Savoie department.

How do you get there, and where does the trail start?

The usual approach starts in Albertville, from where a road leads toward Cevins and then continues on a smaller road up to the hamlet of Bénétant, passing through the villages of Le Villard, Le Bourgeois and La Ville. Parking is available at a hairpin bend just past the Bénétant hamlet. The hiking trail begins from there, heading up the valley.

What is the trail to the waterfall like?

The path climbs through the steep gorges of the Bénétant torrent toward the waterfall, and continues, for hikers looking for a longer outing, up to the Col de Tourche Vernay pass at 1,950 metres. The section closest to the falls is equipped with cables and metal rungs to help hikers negotiate steep, damp and occasionally slippery rock. Because of exposed stretches, the trail is not recommended for anyone uneasy with heights. In its shorter form — up to the waterfall and back via a loop through the Col de Tourche Vernay and the Bois de Tourche Vernay forest — the hike covers about 7.5 km with 775 metres of elevation gain, taking roughly 4 hours. A more demanding version continues further to the Lacs de la Tempête (Storm Lakes), stretching the outing to more than 13 km and over 1,500 metres of elevation gain across most of a day — a route that calls for solid fitness and mountain hiking experience.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

From the trail, and especially from the area around the Col de Tourche Vernay, hikers get sweeping views over the Lauzière and Bauges massifs and Beaufortain summits such as Grande Journée and Lavouet. The return leg of the loop passes through the Bois de Tourche Vernay forest and the small, partly abandoned hamlet of Bénétant itself, which in practice only becomes fully accessible once the snow has melted. Around Bénétant and the neighbouring commune of La Bâthie, remnants of old slate quarries (ardoisières) add a point of local history for anyone interested in the area's past. The torrent that feeds the falls is also occasionally used by canyoning enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hike to Cascade du Dard difficult? The shorter version (up to the falls and back) is rated moderate, but it does require care, since it involves safety cables, metal rungs and slippery rock. The longer loop toward the Lacs de la Tempête is considerably more demanding and suited to experienced hikers only.

Where's the best place to start the hike? From the parking area near the Bénétant hamlet, reached by road from Cevins (itself accessed from Albertville).

Is this hike suitable for young children? Because of the steep, exposed sections with cables and slippery rock, the trail is not recommended for young children or anyone with a fear of heights.

What is the best time of year to visit? Late spring through early autumn is best, once snow has cleared from the higher parts of the trail and from the Bénétant hamlet; earlier in the season, access can be difficult.

What else can be combined with this hike? Many hikers extend the walk to the Col de Tourche Vernay for the panorama over the Beaufortain, Lauzière and Bauges massifs, while more experienced walkers continue on to the Lacs de la Tempête.