The Lillaz waterfalls
The falls of the Urtier, a few minutes from the hamlet of Lillaz
Lillaz is a hamlet of Cogne, a few kilometres from the main village. Just above the houses, the Urtier torrent drops in a series of leaps. At each step the water plunges into a natural pool before carrying on downwards. Larch forests and meadows surround the falls.
Gneiss and water
The Urtier torrent flows over the hard rocks of the Gran Paradiso massif. It has taken thousands of years to carve these steps. Erosion has not worn the rock away evenly everywhere: this is what gives the falls their staircase shape.
These rocks are mainly gneiss. Gneiss is a metamorphic rock that resists erosion well. That is why the rock steps have kept their shape despite the constant flow of water.
The path
From Lillaz, a well-kept path climbs alongside the falls. It is easy and suitable for children too. It passes through the forest and offers several viewpoints over the water. Footbridges and steps lead to the different levels.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- In spring, melting snow swells the torrent. The water falls with force and throws up a cloud of spray.
- In summer, people come to cool off at the foot of the falls, near the pools.
- In autumn, the larches turn yellow and are reflected in the pools.
- In winter, the falls freeze. Cogne is known for its frozen waterfalls, and climbers come here to ice climb.
The most pleasant time for the walk is from June to September. Near the falls the spray soon soaks you: a rain jacket is useful, even in summer. The site is also good for photography, especially when the sun lights up the mist of water.
Plants and birds of the wet rocks
The damp rocks support plants adapted to this environment, such as purple saxifrage. Along the torrent you may see the dipper. This bird looks for food by walking underwater. To avoid damaging this environment, it is best to stay on the waymarked paths.
