Starting from top to bottom, Chaux-du-Dombief toward Ménétrux in Joux, River "The Hedgehog" will flow more or less peacefully:
Le Girard Jump is the first Hérisson waterfall, first in a series of 7 waterfalls and 31 jumps starting from Ilay.
With a height of 35 m, it takes its name from a Girard monk who, faced with the dissolute life of his companions, ended his life by throwing himself from the top of the waterfall. Also called Saut de la Forge because the site, from the Middle Ages to 1911, produced energy for a nail factory.
As for the river Hedgehog, it is powered by the lakes of Ilay and Bonlieu and owes its name to its origin "Yrisson" which means sacred water.
You can access this waterfall from the Saut Girard car park - Lake Ilay in the hamlet of The, in the town of La Chaux-du-Dombief, on foot, via an easy path, in 5 minutes.
Several possibilities are available to you to discover all or part of the Hérisson waterfalls: do not hesitate to inquire at a tourist office.
A fitted platform overlooks the waterfall at the edge of the Ilay/Bonlieu road: to access it, take one of the 2 paths to the left or right of the waterfall to find this road.
After your discovery of the Saut Girard waterfall, let yourself be tempted by
- a gourmet break: at theAuberge du Hérisson
- a contemplative walk around the 4 lakes or on the Cairns Trail
- le Integral route of the Cascades du Hérisson
- a guided tour of theBotanical Space
- souvenir shopping at Hérisson woodwork
In order to guarantee the scenic beauty of the site, few trash cans are installed on the route. We count on your responsibility to collect your rubbish and participate in the preservation of the site. Thank you in advance.
