L'Orrido di Sant'Anna

Traffiume / Cannobio, Piedmont Region, Italy

About L’Orrido di Sant’Anna

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

L’Orrido di Sant’Anna pertained to the name of a church by the hamlet of Traffiume, which belonged to the larger town of Cannobio.

We were also led to believe in the literature (and in our DK guidebook) that this was also a place where it could be a waterfall excursion combined with that historical church from the Middle Ages.

LOrrido_di_SantAnna_033_20130604 - The waterfall at L'Orrido di Sant'Anna
The waterfall at L’Orrido di Sant’Anna

Well, it turned out that the waterfalling aspect of this attraction might be a little far-fetched.

We did notice a pair of rather obscure waterfalls on small, temporary tributary streams downstream from the church itself (one of which is shown in the photograph above).

Other than that, however, we saw a glimpse of a very small cascade further upstream from the medieval bridge adjacent to the church.

However, the view was overgrown and the “waterfall” looked more like normal rapids than anything significant.

So it could be an instance of inaccurate information being circulated about on the internet and in the literature.

LOrrido_di_SantAnna_036_20130604 - Looking up at L'Orrido di Sant'Anna with its Roman bridge next to it as seen from the river
Looking up at L’Orrido di Sant’Anna with its Roman bridge next to it as seen from the river

Nonetheless, just by coming here under the pretense of waterfalling, it allowed us to experience the town of Cannobio, which was perhaps the most charming town on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

The town featured a picturesque waterfront as well as a few blocks of attractive cobblestone arcades and the usual clock tower.

As for the waterfall itself, there was a short path that descended from a viewing terrace right in front of the church (chiesa) to the river’s banks.

We suspected that the river might be a bit of a place to cool off in the Summer.

The bridge spanning the gorge directly below (called the Avostana Bridge) was believed to be built in the 12th century.

Cannobio_058_20130604 - The town of Cannobio on the western shores of Lake Maggiore near the border with Switzerland
The town of Cannobio on the western shores of Lake Maggiore near the border with Switzerland

The historic church probably followed not much longer thereafter.

Overall, this walk and all the picture taking probably took us about 30 minutes away from the car.

Authorities

L’Orrido di Sant’Anna resides in the commune of Cannobio in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province of Italy. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: piemonte, traffiume, cannobio, verbano, cusio, ossola, maggiore, milan, milano, italy, waterfall, avostana



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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.
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