Bassin Malheur is a quieter, slightly harder-to-reach volcanic pool hidden above Bassin Cormoran — less visited, more rugged, and still close enough to Saint-Gilles for a morning out. The name means “Misfortune Basin,” but that’s got more to do with slippery access and the occasional sprained ankle than anything ominous.

How to get there:

• Start from the same trailhead as Bassin Cormoran

• After reaching Cormoran, follow the uphill side path (steep, rooty, often wet)

• Bassin Malheur is narrower, more enclosed, and ringed by cliffs — a deep green bowl fed by a fall

• No safety rails, no signage — this is an informal trail

Swimming is possible but only when water levels are low and still. Locals know it, but you won’t find many tourists here. It’s peaceful, shaded, and feels far more remote than it is.

👉 Local tip: Bring grippy shoes and don’t go alone — there’s no reception, and the rocks are slick year-round. Do Cormoran first, then Malheur if you feel sure-footed and want more.