Discover the Nanceau Waterfall, a charming hidden gem near Lathuile, near Lake Annecy. It’s an autumn afternoon, and the sun has already slipped behind the Taillefer mountain. But the weather was still mild. I was with my sister, who lives not far away. We set out to discover a waterfall she had spotted during a previous hike: the Nanceau Waterfall.
Accessing the Nanceau waterfall
We start this walk near the church of Lathuile, where a small car park is available. After a short 5-minute walk along the road, you reach the Nanceau trail. The sign points to Pré Falquet at an altitude of 500 metres. Although the waterfall isn’t mentioned on the starting sign, simply follow the trail, which gradually widens as you ascend.
A bit further along, another sign at 570 metres altitude, “Le Nanceau,” points to several directions. We follow the one marked “Sur Nanceau,” estimated at 10 minutes. We can already hear the sound of the waterfall in the distance.
The trail to the base of the waterfall
The waterfall is visible for the first time at the base of the bridge. From here, you can admire almost the entire height of this stunning cascade. After crossing the bridge, a discreet trail to the left allows you to follow the waterfall and reach its summit.
However, be careful: this path, often covered with leaves or overgrown with vegetation, can become slippery, especially after rain. We visited the Nanceau Waterfall two days after it had rained, and the trail was still quite wet. Leaves covered the path, making it barely visible.
On our way, 3 obstacles caused by uprooted trees during a storm made the route more adventurous. Despite this, the trail remains visible all the way to the top, which is why I recommend starting the ascent from the base.
The Summit: ruins and crossing
When reaching the base of the Nanceau Waterfall, I managed to convince my sister to take the trail alongside the cascade to reach the summit. This path required some caution. At one point, we even had to crawl under a fallen tree blocking the trail.
The slope at this point was gentle but steep enough to make the passage slippery, especially with the damp leaves and mud. Once at the top, we discovered the ruins of an old structure, now covered in lush green moss.
To continue the loop, you need to cross the stream. A tree trunk that once served as a bridge is now unusable due to its condition. Fortunately, the low water flow at this spot allowed us to cross with ease.
The trail then reconnects with the main loop, allowing you to complete the hike.
You can combine a visit to the Nanceau Waterfall with other nearby cascades, such as the Saury Waterfall or the Creux de l’Enfer Waterfall. Other hikes are also possible, including routes to Taillefer or the balconies of Lathuile.
Practical Information
Elevation gain: 100 m
Duration: 20 minutes to the waterfall
Starting point: Car park near Lathuile Church
Best time to visit: Spring, autumn, or after rain
