Cascade du Ray-Pic

Ardeche / Pereyres, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France

About Cascade du Ray-Pic

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Cascade du Ray-Pic ([RAY-peek]; “Ray Peak Falls”) was one of the more intriguing waterfalls we’ve seen.

What made the roughly 60m falls interesting was that it was accompanied by prominent yet contorted basalt columns.

Ray-Pic_037_20120509 - Cascade du Ray-Pic
Cascade du Ray-Pic

The last time we saw waterfalls with such obviously conspicuous basalt features was in Iceland (namely Svartifoss and Litlanesfoss).

However, the Ray Peak waterfall also exhibited some geologic movement which gave rise to the bending of the basalt columns to the point that we could see the cross section of the columns to the upper left of the main waterfall.

Our understanding of geology suggested that typically, basalt columns were indicative of the history of lava of a particular composition being rapidly cooled and solidified by ice.

According to the signs, this was said to have occurred some 35,000 years ago.

Ray-Pic_005_20120509 - Partial look down at the upper drops of the Cascade du Ray-Pic from the Belvedere du Ray-Pic
Partial look down at the upper drops of the Cascade du Ray-Pic from the Belvedere du Ray-Pic

It was this geology that also caused the closure of the access to the base of the falls due to the rock fall danger from the overhanging basalt cliffs (most photos of the falls out in the literature were from this forbidden area).

Experiencing Cascade du Ray-Pic

We were there when they pretty much finished a new walkway that avoided the base of the falls altogether and it allowed us to see the Cascade du Ray-Pic from a pair of lookout platforms.

In high flow, the main waterfall can be accompanied by a thinner (but also impressive in its own right) waterfall.

It was difficult to capture both waterfalls in one photo from the base, but one of the new overlooks gave us a pretty good view of both falls together.

Ray-Pic_020_20120509 - Closer examination of the basalt columns flanking the Cascade du Ray-Pic
Closer examination of the basalt columns flanking the Cascade du Ray-Pic

However, in the late morning, we had to look against the sun from this vantage point.

So perhaps this may suggest that early to late afternoon may be better suited for viewing the Cascade du Ray-Pic from the better of the two official lookouts.

Walking to Cascade du Ray-Pic

From the official car park (see directions below), it took us about 15 minutes to walk to the overlook platforms.

It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to do the entire excursion including all the photo taking and relaxing.

Ray-Pic_082_20120509 - Context of the newly-built steps leading down to the official lookout for the Cascade du Ray-Pic
Context of the newly-built steps leading down to the official lookout for the Cascade du Ray-Pic

The trail was fairly easy without too much elevation change except for the end when we descended towards the lookouts down some steps.

Although this is not recommended and only if you’re willing to take risks while disobeying the signs, it is possible to hop the railing and continue on an old, steep trail towards the base of both of the Cascade du Ray-Pic waterfalls.

However if you do this, you need to be fully aware of the rock fall risks and understand why the authorities chose to close this means of access in the first place.

In other words, your safety and your choices are solely your responsibility.

Ray-Pic_067_20120509 - View of both main waterfalls of the Cascade du Ray-Pic from the sanctioned lookout
View of both main waterfalls of the Cascade du Ray-Pic from the sanctioned lookout

That said, we did take some photos and videos from the base, which you can see further down this page.

Another way to experience Cascade du Ray-Pic?

One last thing worth mentioning is that we apparently stumbled onto a different trail leading to Cascade du Ray-Pic when we were driving away from here towards the natural bridge known as Pont d’Arc.

This alternate trailhead (though I suspect it only led to the car park and didn’t provide a truly alternate access) was near an arched road bridge.

This spot featured a small cascade near it before following the stream along a sun-drenched gorge going in the upstream direction.

Authorities

The Cascade du Ray-Pic resides in the municipality of Pereyres in the Ardeche department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes province (formerly just Rhone-Alpes) of France. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their tourism board website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: ardeche, rhone-alpes, ray-pic, france, waterfall, lyon, basalt



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.