Cascate dell'Acquafraggia, Natural waterfalls in Piuro, Italy.
The Cascate dell'Acquafraggia plunge through two distinctive drops originating from Pizzo Lago at 3,083 meters altitude, creating a spectacular 1,800-meter descent over approximately five kilometers through ancient glacial valleys.
Leonardo da Vinci documented these waterfalls in his Codice Atlantico during his passage through Valle di Ciavenna, describing them as an impressive 400-braccia cascade that captivated him with their natural power.
The name derives from Latin 'aqua fracta' meaning broken water, referring to the torrent's interruption by successive falls that create the characteristic double-drop formation unique in the Alpine arc.
The natural park provides equipped trails with panoramic terraces and observation points, operating daily with entrance fees during summer months, particularly July and August, with information available at infopiuro.it.
These waterfalls feature the only double-drop formation in the entire Alpine arc, where glacial waters create suspended lakes in ancient moraines before cascading through distinctive rock formations.
Location: Piuro
Address: Acquafraggia Waterfalls, 23020 Piuro, Province of Sondrio, Italy
GPS coordinates: 46.33171,9.43731
Latest update: July 3, 2025 09:29
Waterfalls have a way of drawing people in. The sound of falling water, the mist that rises from the base, the way light catches the spray. Some of the most striking examples sit in places that remain relatively quiet, where the journey itself becomes part of the experience. These destinations reward travelers who make the effort, offering moments of solitude that are increasingly rare around natural landmarks. This collection includes places like the limestone terraces of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, where a chain of interconnected pools spills from one to the next through forest shade. Or the red sandstone walls of Coyote Gulch in Utah, where water carved out hidden alcoves and pools over countless seasons. In India, Nohkalikai Falls drops from a forested plateau into a green pool far below. China's Huangguoshu Waterfall has a cave tucked behind the curtain of water itself. At the Vietnam-China border, Ban Gioc-Detian spreads wide across the landscape, while Angel Falls in Venezuela tumbles nearly a thousand meters from a flat topped mountain. Norway's Geirangerfjord hosts the Seven Sisters, a cluster of parallel streams that flow straight into the fjord. Iceland's Dettifoss sends an immense volume of glacial water over black volcanic rock. South Africa's Tugela Falls descends in stages from the dramatic cliff face of the Drakensberg range. And in the Philippines, Kawasan Falls creates a series of turquoise pools beneath a canopy of tropical growth. Each place has its own character, shaped by the rock, the climate, and the surrounding terrain.
Italy offers many locations where one can swim in nature. From rock-carved basins to mountain lakes, hot springs, and secluded coves, the country is full of accessible water spots for those who enjoy swimming away from managed beaches. They can be found all over: in the Dolomite valleys, in the heart of Tuscany, on the coasts of Sardinia or Sicily. Some sites are accessible on foot after a short walk, others have been known to locals for a long time. The water can be icy or warm depending on the region, but it is always surrounded by scenic landscapes. These natural pools are often quiet places where people come to relax, have picnics, or simply enjoy the scenery. They reveal another aspect of Italy, one that is more straightforward and closer to nature.
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Piz Bles
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Waterfalls of Acquafraggia
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Portico di S. Lorenzo
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