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

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

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

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 a 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: appenninoreggiano.it

Mount Cusna, the so-called Schiocchi del Torrente Ozola, the Lavacchiello waterfalls. These are just some of the naturalistic attractions of this portion of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, which lies on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

With a total drop of 50 metres, the Cascate del Lavacchiello are truly breathtaking especially in spring, when the snow begins to melt.

We are near the village of Ligonchio, the starting point of the CAI 635 trail that leads right to the foot of the falls, following for a stretch an old service track used by the park’s hydroelectric power stations.

The hike is not suitable for everyone though, as it has an altitude difference of about 400 metres, but the spectacular view on arrival will certainly compensate for the efforts of the journey!

INFO: appenninoreggiano.it

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 Grotte Urlanti or howling caves (the most upstream ones), 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

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