Cascata di Bignasco

Val Bavona / Valle Maggia, Ticino Canton, Switzerland

About Cascata di Bignasco

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Cascata di Bignasco was a surprisingly satisfying waterfall that we noticed while we were headed up the Valle Maggia en route to the Cascata di Foroglio.

At first, we intended to treat it like the other miscellaneous roadside waterfalls sprinkled about the valley.

Bignasco_022_20130604 - Cascata di Bignasco
Cascata di Bignasco

However, the closer we drove to it, the more we realized that it was compelling enough for us to leave the main road and look for a way to get closer by foot.

Even though we didn’t see anything in the literature stating its height, we estimate that it might be somewhere between 40m to 60m tall.

It turned out that there was a formal car park (see directions below) as well as an established walkway leading right up to the plunge pool at the base of the Cascata di Bignasco.

To the left of the plunge pool (behind an unlocked gate that we were supposed to keep closed), there was a picnic table in a shady spot.

It seemed like a nice place to have a picnic while basking in the tranquility of the scenery.

Bignasco_010_20130604 - Julie approaching the base of the Cascata di Bignasco
Julie approaching the base of the Cascata di Bignasco

There was also a large man-made swimming pool nearby (to the right of the large car park) though it was closed and being worked on during our visit in June 2013.

Perhaps under more typical conditions, I’d imagine that this would be an ideal place for the family as the pool seemed to be inviting for kids while the rest of the amenities seemed to be built with families in mind.

Overall, we spent about 10 minutes away from the car as this was essentially a roadside waterfall.

Other aspects of Cascata di Bignasco

When we first noticed Cascata di Bignasco on the road through Valle Maggia, we saw there was a historical-looking building to the topright of the waterfall itself.

Bignasco_008_20130604 - Context of Cascata di Bignasco with a church or some kind of building perched way higher up the cliff from it
Context of Cascata di Bignasco with a church or some kind of building perched way higher up the cliff from it

We weren’t sure whether it was a church or if it had any particular importance or significance, but we didn’t really look into how to access that building high up the cliff.

I’d imagine that if it was accessible, there ought to be nice views of Valle Maggia from that higher vantage point.

Moreover, from what we could tell, this was a legitimate waterfall that ought to last most of the Summer.

Even though power lines ran along much of the Maggia River (kind of impacting the view of the waterfall from the main road), it didn’t seem like this waterfall was subject to diversion or regulation for hydroelectricity (though we can’t verify that claim).

We wondered about that because there were other major waterfalls in the valley that seemed to be sacrificed for hydroelectricity such as the Cascata di Soladino.

Other waterfalls in Valle Maggia and Valle Bavona

Bignasco_022_20130604 - Cascata di Bignasco
Cascata di Bignasco

Just to underscore the quantity of waterfalls in both the valleys of Valle Maggia and Valle Bavona, we noticed another attractive waterfall near the town of Cevio, which was just before we reached Bignasco.

As we continued to drive deeper into the valley towards Cascata di Foroglio, we also spotted another waterfall that we stopped for called the Cascata di Mondada (I think).

This particular waterfall didn’t have any particular infrastructure to invite visitation, and it even appeared as if you had to cross into someone’s private property to get a good look at it.

Authorities

Cascata di Bignasco resides near Maggia in the Ticino canton of Switzerland. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit the Ticino Tourism Board website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: val bavona, valle maggia, ticino, switzerland, waterfall, locarno, italy, bignasco, soladino, cevio



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls

The Waterfaller Newsletter

The Waterfaller Newsletter is where we curate the wealth of information on the World of Waterfalls website and deliver it to you in bite-sized chunks in your email inbox. You'll also get exclusive content like...

  • Waterfall Wednesdays
  • Insider Tips
  • User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month
  • and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls


How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.