Tucked away in the Giffre Valley near Samoëns, the Nant d’Ant waterfall is a hidden gem that’s easy to reach and rarely crowded. Overshadowed by the more famous waterfalls of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, this peaceful trail offers a charming cascade at the end.
I stumbled upon it by chance while returning from the Cascade du Rouget. After parking near the Giffre bridge, I noticed a sign pointing toward “Cascade du Nant d’Ant” and decided to check it out.
What’s a “Nant”?
In the Savoie Mont-Blanc region, many waterfalls go by two names: a descriptive nickname (like “Heart Waterfall” for Cascade de Chedde), and a more traditional name based on the local word nant, meaning stream or brook. In this case, it’s simply named after the Nant d’Ant.
Hiking to the Nant d’Ant Waterfall
The hike begins near the Pont du Giffre (698m altitude), where signs indicate about a 25 minute walk to the waterfall. The trail follows the left bank of the stream, more of a dirt road than a footpath, and is occasionally used by cars.
Soon you’ll pass a wooden cross and a sign for Les Millères (720 m). From here, the waterfall is about 20 minutes away. You’ll walk alongside the Millères hydroelectric plant. At a junction, you can turn right, but I stayed left to follow the stream more closely.
Eventually, the path narrows and leads into a small wooded gorge. The final stretch runs along the Nant d’Ant stream until the waterfall suddenly appears, flowing into a peaceful little cirque. It’s taller than I expected. And although the water flow was light during my visit (after a dry summer), the setting still felt magical.
Feeling adventurous? There’s a steep and slippery trail leading up to the top of the waterfall — attempt it only with good shoes and caution.
TECHNICAL INFO
Starting altitude: 698 m
Elevation gain: 35 m
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation change: 25 m
Trail signage: Yes
Round-trip time: 40–50 minutes
Access to the Cascade du Nant d’Ant
From Samoëns, drive toward Morillon via the D4. Park near the Pont du Giffre (Giffre bridge). Cross the bridge on foot and take the left-hand path signs point toward “Cascade du Nant d’Ant”.
Departure: the hike starts from the Chemin de Millères
