Nature & OutdoorNature & Outdoor

3. The most beautiful waterfalls in Emilia-Romagna

by /// July 31, 2024
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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If you are experiencing déjà-vu, that’s normal. Yes, we’re now publishing the third episode of our beloved series about the most beautiful waterfalls in Emilia-Romagna!

Once again, we started from your suggestions to build a brand new itinerary that will take you to the greenest and most refreshing spots in our region.

If you want to catch up on the first two articles, just go down to the bottom of the page and click on the suggested contents.

We remind you that bathing in many of these waterfalls is forbidden as they could be dangerous. We suggest using common sense and always respecting local regulations.

CASCATA DEL CARLONE (Piacenza)

Cascata del Carlone | Ph. GiacomoTurco, Visit Emilia
Bobbio (PC), Cascata del Carlone | Credit: Giacomo Turco, Visit Emilia

Let’s head for Piacenza to discover the first two waterfalls of our journey. The former is called Cascata Termale del Carlone (Carlone Thermal Waterfall), known since the 11th century because of its mineral and magnesium-rich thermal waters coming from a salt-bromine-iodine-sulphur water source.

They are located near Bobbio, more precisely in the hamlet of San Cristoforo in the Trebbia Valley, an area of great natural interest.

You can reach them either from San Cristoforo or from Bobbio; in the latter case, you will have to follow via del Bargo.

After about a 15-minute walk on the CAI 160 trail, you will get to the crossroads that leads to the thermal waterfall by taking the downhill path to the left.

If you follow the right path you’ll get to another waterfall, the so-called high Carlone waterfall. Alternatively, you can start from the hamlet of Moglia.

INFO: visitpiacenza.it

CASCATA DELL'AQUILA (Piacenza)

Piacenza, Cascata dell'Aquila | Ph. www.trekkingtaroceno.it
Piacenza, Aquila Waterfall | Credit: www.trekkingtaroceno.it

The second waterfall in Piacenza we want to tell you about is the Aquila waterfall, also called the Lardana waterfall because of the name of the stream that feeds into it. We are on the slopes of Mount Camulara, between Val Nure and Val Ceno, where eagles used to nest (“aquila” meaning eagle in Italian).

The trail that leads to the waterfall has changed following a cloudburst in 2015. However, you can still get to the imposing falls on a quite difficult trail, suitable for experienced hikers only, which passes through the small hamlet of Cassimoreno.

Crossing a marvellous beech forest, you will first reach the waterfall and then the close black ophiolite cliff of eruptive origin.

INFO: visitemilia.com

CASCATE DELLA VAL GELANA (Parma)

Parma !
Bedonia (PR), Gelana Valley Waterfalls | Credit: www.sentieriincammino.it

Let’s now move on to the Upper Taro Valley, in the province of Parma, for a trip to the Gelana Valley Waterfalls.

It takes about half an hour to reach them from the village of Montarsiccio, in the municipality of Bedonia, hiking on a pretty easy trail.

Once you arrive near the waterfalls, you will find yourself surrounded by a fresh and unspoilt broadleaf forest before getting to the rapids and the spectacular small lake at their foot.

The peculiarity of this waterfall is its water rich in calcium bicarbonate, creating special rock formations called ‘drapes’.

INFO: geo.regione.emilia-romagna.it

CASCATE DEL TASSARO (Reggio Emilia)

Veto (RE), Cascata del Tassaro | Ph. Moreno Maccaria via
Veto (RE), Tassaro Waterfalls | Credit: Moreno Maccaria, via www.belvedere-mammarina.it

The Tassaro Valley is one of the most fascinating places in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, but also one of the least known.

The Tassaro waterfalls are not far from the village of Vetto, and they originate from a watercourse that flows between sandstone walls.

Besides the wonderful landscapes, the waterfall area also boasts remarkable fauna and flora. Walking along its paths, we can come across species such as the cervine tongue or amphibians such as the spectacled salamander.

How can we reach the Tassaro waterfalls? There are two possible alternatives: an easier trail starting from Scalucchia and a more challenging, ring-shaped one that starts and arrives at Crovara, recently restored following a collapse.

INFO: parchiemiliacentrale.it

CASCATA DELLA SEGA E GROTTA URLANTE (Reggio Emilia)

Premilcuore (FC), Grotta Urlante
Premilcuore (FC), Grotta Urlante | Credit: Wirestock Creators, via ShutterStock

Let’s now move further south to Romagna for a hike to the Cascata della Sega waterfalls, set in the heart of the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.

The area of Premilcuore is crossed by a watercourse that forms lots of unmissable natural pools, caves and waterfalls.

We are talking about the Rabbi river and its numerous falls among the rocks, which create the Rapida della Seghina (the most downstream waterfall), the Cascata della Sega waterfalls, as well as the famous Grotta Urlante or howling cave (the most upstream), so called because of the roar produced by the water as it flows along an inlet and spills into the pool below.

The trail that leads to these places – among the most popular spots for locals to spend a cool summer day – is very simple and starts from the Agriturismo Ridolla.

You can leave your car at the nearby car park and then follow the signs for a few minutes until you get to the Cascata della Sega waterfall.

You will recognise it immediately because it is a double waterfall that plunges into a beautiful pool of clear water. Continuing along the trail you will first come across a humpbacked stone bridge and then the Howling Caves.

INFO: romagnatoscanaturismo.it

CASCATA DELLA ZERBALE (Forlì/Cesena)

Santa Sofia (FC), Cascata dello Zerbale | Ph. Nicola Andrucci via pagina Facebook Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi
Santa Sofia (FC), Tassaro Waterfalls | Credit: Nicola Andrucci, via Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi Facebook page

We remain within the Casentinesi Forests National Park for a final, refreshing stop at the Zerbale waterfalls, located between Santa Sofia and Corniolo.

Originating from the waters of the Bidente river, the peculiarity of these waterfalls is the presence of no less than three emerald-green pools of water in a row, surrounded by rocks and lush nature.

The trail to the waterfalls starts at the village of Cabelli and has some rather steep stretches as you descend towards the river.

INFO: visitsantasofia.it

Author

Maria Grazia Masotti

An eternal dreamer, but I try to stay grounded. I was raised in the countryside but I love big cities. I’m always ready for a trip, as long as it’s sustainable.

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