Are you drawn to water and land, caving and canyoning, waterfalls and underground cavities? Welcome to the Seythenex cave and waterfall, one of the most remarkable and astonishing natural sites in Haute-Savoie. Located in the heart of the Bauges massif, around 20 minutes’ drive from the Annecy La Ravoire and Les Fontaines campsites, this natural gem is of great geological interest. We’ll tell you why the Seythenex waterfall and grotto are a must-see activity for couples, families and friends camping near Lake Annecy.
The Seythenex cave, the only visitable underground gallery in Haute-Savoie
First of all, it’s unique. Today, the Seythenex cave is the only underground gallery in Haute-Savoie open to the public. This was already the case over a century ago, in 1906, when it was first opened to visitors. Then there’s its size. Some visitors expect to walk a few dozen metres under the rock, with their backs bent, before turning back. Entering the Seythenex cave means venturing into a gallery over 250 m long. It’s a journey dotted with bridges and footbridges, much to the delight of children who want to play at being adventurers. Their favorite part? Perhaps the cave’s “slide”, one of the most emblematic spots on the site.
The Seythenex waterfall
After the silence of the Earth’s entrails, the tumult of the waters gushing to the surface. The Seythenex cascade is a waterfall more than 40 m high, a “happy” accident of course – or of course, that of the Saint-Ruph river. Where can this waterfall, plunging into the void, end its mad course? In Lake Annecy, your guide will tell you during the tour. After Earth and Water, you’ll have the chance to add a third element to the tour: Air, thanks to the zip line reserved for the most daring.
Cave formation
The grotte de Seythenex is an underground cavern carved into the limestone cliffs. The galleries were formed over thousands of years by the inexhaustible flow of water over the rock. The circular appearance of the galleries is a good illustration of the keyhole concept. In the past, these galleries were completely submerged by water. The water did its work by digging into the circular rock. Over time, the water level eventually dropped, exposing the erosion work on the upper part of the galleries – one of the most striking geological spectacles in the Haute Savoie department.
An educational dimension
The visit to the Seythenex grotto and waterfall has been designed from an educational point of view, to make it accessible to all visitors, especially children. For this reason, you’ll find a video room and a scale model along the way. A film will take you on a journey back in time, revealing the way of life of the region’s inhabitants in days gone by. The video projection is accompanied by a scale model of old houses, local vegetation and water mills.
Tips for a successful visit
Bring good walking shoes, preferably hiking boots. As in all caves, the temperature inside the galleries is cool, around 10ºC, even in summer. So remember to pack a little wool in your rucksack. To complete your equipment, take along a good headlamp, a first-aid kit and a bottle of water. And, of course, a swimsuit to cool off in Lake Annecy after your visit, before heading back to your fully-equipped luxury mobile home at one of our 4-star La Ravoire or Les Fontaines campsites. If you’re planning to stay in the area, don’t forget to take a picnic if the weather’s right!
Opening hours and prices
The Seythenex cave is open to the public every day from April to September:
- April, May, June and September: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- July-August: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Prices: €8 per adult and child over 12, €6 for 4-12 year-olds, free for under-4s.
Did you enjoy the experience?
Take to the skies and admire the Mer de Glace in the Chamonix valley, discover other hikes in the Pays de Faverges in the Massif des Bauges regional nature park or why not choose a Trail itinerary!