Two neighbouring waterfalls in the Gérardmer area pair up naturally for a single outing: cascade Charlemagne, above the Lac de Retournemer, and cascade du Rudlin, above the Étang des Dames at Le Valtin. Each is a separate marked walk, with its own starting point and its own trail markers. This guide sets out the access, distance and elevation gain for each one, so you can plan the outing without surprises.
Cascade Charlemagne, above the Lac de Retournemer
Cascade Charlemagne is made up of several small, successive falls along the Vologne river, 500 to 600 metres upstream from the Lac de Retournemer, in the town of Xonrupt-Longemer. According to local legend, Charlemagne stopped here for a drink in 806 while crossing the Vosges massif on his way to Alsace.
The Gérardmer Hautes Vosges tourist office publishes an official walk called “Balade des cascades de Retournemer et de Charlemagne”: 5.6 km, 1h30, 70 m of elevation gain, rated easy. The starting point is on the route du Lac (D67a), at the left-hand bend, 100 metres before the Camping Verte Vallée. Parking sits between the road and the cycle path.
The trail first crosses the Vologne to reach the cascade de Retournemer, following red cross markers. It then skirts the Lac de Retournemer, and past the barrier on the forest road, a right-hand bend leads to a steep climb of around ten minutes, marked with red triangles, up to cascade Charlemagne. The return follows the same route. The tourist office notes that weather conditions can make this trail impassable: check the trail’s condition before setting out, especially after heavy rain.
For comparison, another waterfall that fits easily into a stay in Gérardmer is Saut des Cuves, the shortest and most accessible option, just a few minutes from the town centre.
Cascade du Rudlin, starting from the Étang des Dames
Cascade du Rudlin sits at the place known as Le Rudlin, in the town of Le Valtin, more than 100 metres above the valley floor. Water flows from the top of a rock roughly 10 metres high into a pool it has carved out, then bounces from rock to rock down the slope. Following the narrow, steep trail alongside the stream leads to an upper fall about a hundred metres further on, where the stream splits into two branches forming a series of small cascades.
The official “Balade de la cascade du Rudlin” walk covers 2.4 km over 50 minutes of walking, with 130 m of elevation gain, rated moderate. The starting point is near the village of Le Valtin, on the D23, next to the Étang des Dames, with parking near the bridge. The route first follows the paved road, then a trail marked with red trestle signs climbs through the forest up to the waterfall. The return follows the same path. Here too, the tourist office notes that weather can make the trail impassable.
The elevation gain and the steep stretch of trail make this walk somewhat more demanding than cascade Charlemagne: better suited to walkers used to uneven forest terrain than to very young children.
Planning both walks in one outing
The two sites are not in the same valley: cascade Charlemagne is on the Vologne at Xonrupt-Longemer, while cascade du Rudlin stands more than 100 metres above the Haute Meurthe valley at Le Valtin. They do not share the same starting point or the same trail markers: you need to drive between the two rather than looking for a walking link between them.
A simple plan is to start with cascade Charlemagne in the morning (1h30, a moderate 70 m of elevation gain), then drive to the Étang des Dames car park at Le Valtin for cascade du Rudlin in the afternoon (50 minutes of walking, a steeper 130 m of elevation gain). Allow half a day for both, not counting driving time between the car parks.
For waterfall enthusiasts who want to extend the outing to other sites in the massif, our roundup of waterfalls around La Bresse covers six other sites listed by the tourist office, including cascade de Tendon.
Season, safety and nearby options
Both official trail sheets stress the same point: weather conditions can make the trails impassable, particularly after heavy rain or during frost. The ground around the waterfalls stays damp for much of the year, with slippery rocks. Closed, grippy walking shoes are recommended for both walks, particularly on the steep stretch at Rudlin.
The official sheets state that animals are allowed at both sites. They mention no fee, and list unguided visits for cascade du Rudlin.
To extend the outing in warm weather, the area has several swimming lakes accessible from Gérardmer and Xonrupt-Longemer: our roundup of the best swimming spots at lakes in the Vosges makes it possible to combine a forest walk with a break by the water on the same day.
Practical information at a glance
- Cascade Charlemagne: starting point route du Lac (D67a), Xonrupt-Longemer. 5.6 km, 1h30, 70 m of elevation gain, easy. Red cross then red triangle markers.
- Cascade du Rudlin: starting point D23 near the Étang des Dames, Le Valtin. 2.4 km, 50 minutes, 130 m of elevation gain, moderate. Red trestle markers.
- Contact: Gérardmer Hautes Vosges tourist office, 03 29 27 27 27.
Before setting out, check trail conditions with the tourist office if the weather has been unsettled in the preceding days: both official trail sheets note that the path can become impassable after heavy storms.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can you park for cascade Charlemagne?
The official starting point is on the route du Lac (D67a) in Xonrupt-Longemer, at the left-hand bend, 100 metres before the Camping Verte Vallée. Parking is located between the road and the cycle path.
How high is cascade du Rudlin?
The official sources do not give the same figure: the tourist office sheet describes a fall of around 10 metres into a pool carved into the rock, while the DREAL Grand Est listed-site sheet gives 30 metres for the whole drop. A second fall, known as the upper fall, sits about a hundred metres further up.
Can you visit both waterfalls on the same day?
Yes. They are close to each other but in two different valleys: cascade Charlemagne on the Vologne at Xonrupt-Longemer, and cascade du Rudlin above the Haute Meurthe valley at Le Valtin. The starting points are separate: plan to drive between the two walks rather than linking them on foot.