Cascate del Pisciadu

Colfosco (Calfosch / Kolfuschg) / Val Badia / Corvara, Trentino-Alto Adige (Sudtirol) Region, Italy

About Cascate del Pisciadu

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Cascate del Pisciadu (or Cascate del Pisciadù; Pisciadu Waterfalls) was one of the waterfalls we targeted in our return trip to the Dolomites area of Northern Italy in the Summer of 2018.

It was a tall, multi-tiered waterfall without much literature concerning its height (I’ve seen 80m thrown around).

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_139_07162018 - Cascate del Pisciadù
Cascate del Pisciadù

On its own, the waterfall was thin and light-flowing so it probably wouldn’t be much to go out of the way for.

However, what was notable about this waterfall was its location.

It sat smack in the heart of the Dolomites where this waterfall was actually in the grooves of one of the region’s signature massifs.

It also helped that the waterfall was close to Colfosco (Calfosch), which also happened to be one of the highest towns in the Alta Badia Region of the Italian Dolomites.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_001_07162018 - Cascate del Pisciadù tumbling nearly unnoticed beneath the dramatic massif of the Italian Dolomites
Cascate del Pisciadù tumbling nearly unnoticed beneath the dramatic massif of the Italian Dolomites

So we had the perfect waterfalling excuse to explore this part of Northern Italy that we would have otherwise overlooked.

Experiencing the Cascate del Pisciadù

When we made our visit, we were able to see the Cascate del Pisciadu from the twisty road going through Colfosco.

That compelled us to find a trailhead and seek out a closer look at the falls.

While there were several ways to visit the waterfall, the nearest trailhead was at a car park for a restaurant by a hairpin turn.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_024_07162018 - Looking towards the Cascate del Pisciadù from the Ristorante Bar Mesoles
Looking towards the Cascate del Pisciadù from the Ristorante Bar Mesoles

I believe the restaurant was called Ristorante Bar Mesoles (see directions below).

I actually did the hike a little further away at the Colfosco Adventure Park so our daughter could play in the obstacle courses there.

Meanwhile, I partook in the hike to get close to the Cascate del Pisciadu for a more immersive and intimate experience amongst the Dolomites.

Doing the hike this way (along Trail 28) meant that I wound up spending nearly two hours on the trail.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_105_07162018 - The big payoff about the hike to get close to the Cascate del Pisciadù was getting to hike amongst the dramatic Italian Dolomites
The big payoff about the hike to get close to the Cascate del Pisciadù was getting to hike amongst the dramatic Italian Dolomites

This was at least two or three times as long as starting the trail from the trailheads closer to the main part of town (namely from Luianta via Trail 650).

Cascate del Pisciadù Trail Description – hiking to the trail junctions near the waterfall’s base

From the Colfosco Adventure Park, I followed the signs saying “tru dles cascades”.

This led me for about five minutes towards a separate trail that descended towards a bridge crossing the Sodlisia Stream.

On the other side of the bridge, I went right and followed the signs, which at this point suggested that the falls was another 50 minutes away.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_043_07162018 - Looking across the valley at some of the Italian Dolomites from around the Colfosco Adventure Park as I was making my way to the hike to the Cascate del Pisciadù
Looking across the valley at some of the Italian Dolomites from around the Colfosco Adventure Park as I was making my way to the hike to the Cascate del Pisciadù

The footpath was wide and gently undulated though it was generally uphill.

Along the way, there were rest benches as well as gorgeous views across the valley towards the Dolomite massifs backing Colfosco and the neighboring towns.

I even noticed some surprise seasonal cascades tumbling off of the nearby massifs towering over the trail.

Eventually, I made it to a grassy clearing that was popular with people chillaxing and having picnics.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_073_07162018 - Looking ahead at the context of the trail leading closer to the Cascate del Pisciadù tumbling amongst the Italian Dolomites while I continued to hike closer to its base
Looking ahead at the context of the trail leading closer to the Cascate del Pisciadù tumbling amongst the Italian Dolomites while I continued to hike closer to its base

There was also a squat toilet outhouse as well as some trail junctions.

It was here that the shorter path from Colfosco would join up with the last remaining climb up to the Cascate del Pisciadu, which was clearly visible at this point.

Cascate del Pisciadù Trail Description – hiking closer to the waterfalls

There was a spur trail climbing up another five minutes towards the base of one of the drops of the Cascate del Pisciadu.

While the trail was closed during my visit (probably due to the threat of a rockfall), it didn’t stop numerous people from going up anyways.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_168_07162018 - Making it up to the end of the trail at the base of the Cascate del Pisciadu
Making it up to the end of the trail at the base of the Cascate del Pisciadu

Once at the base of the falls, I was only able to see a couple of its mostly twisting and hidden tiers.

So that made the viewing experience of this series of waterfalls a little underwhelming.

It seemed like I was able to better see more of the waterfall the further away I was from it.

However, another payoff for this extra effort was that I was able to look across the valley for a commanding view of the Dolomite Massifs all around the valley.

Cascate_di_Pisciadu_173_07162018 - Looking back towards Colfosco and the Dolomite Mountains from the base of the Cascate del Pisciadu
Looking back towards Colfosco and the Dolomite Mountains from the base of the Cascate del Pisciadu

In addition, I also managed to get a little spray from the Cascate del Pisciadu itself.

After having my fill, I returned the way I came, which was primarily downhill most of the way.

Authorities

The Cascate del Pisciadu (or Cascate del Pisciadù; Pisciadu Waterfalls) reside near the town of Colfosco (Colfosch) in the Bolzano-Alto-Adige Province of the Trentino-Alto Adige Region of Italy. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit the Alta-Badia Tourism Board website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: colfosco, corvara, val badia, dolomites, dolomiti, italy, italia, calfosch, waterfall, pisciadu, luianta



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