Cascade du Pain de Sucre de Surjoux

Cascade du Pain de Sucre

Useful Information

Location:	Parking lot le Parc at road D72 between Chanay and Challonges. 100 m easy walk. (46.0220921, 5.8055341)
Open:	No restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Tufa Deposits
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	A=270 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided. V=15,000/a [2024]
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Le Parc, 01420 Surjoux, Tel: +33-450-484868, Fax : +33-450-486508. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1999	Vézeronce river including the waterfall protected by Arrêté préfectoral de protection de biotope (Prefectural order for the protection of biotopes).
2016	declared an "espace naturel sensible du département de l'Ain" (sensitive natural area in the department of Ain).

Description

The Cascade du Pain de Sucre (Waterfall of the Sugarloaf) is a small waterfall of limestone rich water downhill from the small town Surjoux formed by the river Vézeronce. It is named after a strange rock formation where the water hits the ground, a subaerial 20 m high stalagmite formed of travertine. Its form resembles obviously a sugar loaf, hence the name.

The water loses carbon dioxide when it falls through the air, due to the increased surface. So it is not able to keep all the limestone in solution, which crystallises where the water hits the ground. This process is identical to the way stalagmites form in caves, nevertheless it is extremely rare on the surface, as normally plant growth disturbs the process. And of course the weathering on the surface tends to destroy the stalagmites rather fast. So the formation of the stalagmite must be pretty fast to keep up with the destruction.

This place is freely accessible and has its beauties all around the year. Nevertheless, be careful during wet or misty weather, the trails can be slippery. There are numerous such sugar-loafs in the area, and as a result they are easily mixed up, which even happens official tourist portals. So be careful which one you visit.