Grande cascade de Tendon

Grande Cascade de Tendon is the tallest waterfall in the Vosges massif, tucked into the forest beside the village of Tendon, roughly halfway between Épinal and Gérardmer. Water drops 32 meters over a rock ledge, drawing both casual walkers and dedicated hikers into the surrounding woodland.

Where exactly is the tallest waterfall in the Vosges?

The falls sit in the Tendon forest, in the Vosges département within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. The village of Tendon gives the waterfall its name and sits midway along the road connecting Épinal and Gérardmer, making it an easy stop for visitors touring the area.

How tall is the waterfall, and how close can you get?

At 32 meters, Grande Cascade de Tendon is recognized as the highest waterfall in the entire Vosges massif. A car park sits right at its base, so reaching the viewing area takes only a few minutes on foot rather than a full hike.

What are the walking options?

For a quick visit, a 30- to 45-minute out-and-back walk connects the car park directly to the falls, an easy option for families with young children. Hikers wanting more distance can follow the loop linking both Tendon waterfalls, a route of roughly 7.5 kilometers taking 2.5 to 3 hours. It tracks the Hutte stream to a small hamlet of the same name before climbing through the Brostille woods to a viewpoint over the surrounding hills.

Drivers coming from Le Tholy toward Épinal should turn off onto the road signed for the Grande Cascade, which leads directly to the parking area at the base of the falls.

Is the smaller waterfall worth a stop too?

About 500 meters before reaching Tendon village, a side path branches off toward the Petite Cascade de Tendon, a smaller falls with its own parking and picnic tables. A wide, shaded, nearly flat forest path links the two waterfalls, covered in 25 to 30 minutes — an easy way to see both on the same outing.

What else is nearby?

The Brostille viewpoint, reached via the longer loop, overlooks the surrounding forest and hills and has picnic tables of its own. A short drive away in Gérardmer, the Saut des Cuves waterfall on the Vologne river is another well-known stop in the area, and the two sites pair naturally into a single day trip through the Vosges.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Grande Cascade de Tendon? The waterfall drops 32 meters, making it the tallest in the Vosges massif.

How long does it take to reach the waterfall? The short walk from the car park to the falls takes 30 to 45 minutes round trip. The full loop connecting both Tendon waterfalls takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

Is the trail suitable for children? Yes, the short route to Grande Cascade is easy and nearly flat, making it manageable for families with young children.

Is there another waterfall nearby? Yes, the Petite Cascade de Tendon lies about 500 meters from the village and connects to the main falls via a wide forest path.

How do you drive to Grande Cascade de Tendon? From Le Tholy heading toward Épinal, turn onto the road signed for the Grande Cascade, which leads straight to the parking area at the foot of the falls.