The Sant'Annapelago waterfall trail

Magical waterfalls on a beautiful circular itinerary among beech and fir woods.

The “Sentiero delle Cascate” (Waterfall Trail) is a circular itinerary of about 12 kilometres that runs along the Valdarno Stream and the Terzino Dyke, two watercourses that flow through the Forest of Sant’AnnaPelago, within the Frignano Park.

Along the way, you will come across several small waterfalls and some spectacular water cascades.
The itinerary is mostly in the shade, lined by beech and fir woods, and takes about 4 to 5 hours to walk.
We especially recommend this itinerary during the summer season, because of the cooling effect of the waterfalls, and in the rainier seasons when the waterfalls are in full flow.

In winter, you must be properly equipped and take great care, because of the possible presence of ice.

The itinerary

After leaving your car in the designated parking area next to the ‘La Torre’ sports area, along the roadside near the cemetery, or in the car park at the beginning of the village of Sant’AnnaPelago, follow the signs to the locality of Casa delle Rose, located at 1079 metres above sea level.
The trail, after a short climb, is then on the flat for almost 4 km.
The first of the waterfalls you come to is the Rioo Waterfall; you then cross the Acero Stream and shortly afterwards come to the “Cascata della Bandita” (Bandit’s Waterfall). Crossing the Sassorso Dyke and going along the banks of the Terzino Dyke, you will then come to the Sassorso Waterfall, and going further on, you then cross the Capridosso Dyke, the Fontanone Dyke, the Terzino Dyke and then take the Montalto forest road.

Once you have reached an altitude of 1,325m, you then come back down: descending towards the valley you will come to the Terzino Waterfall and after about 3 km, you will get to the Montalto fountain, here you leave the main road behind and enter the beech forest.
Following the narrow mule track, you will get to the Cascadoora waterfall, which can be admired from above or by descending along a steep path suitable for experienced hikers. Carrying on to the locality of “Il Nespolo”, at an altitude of 1,025m, where the Valdarno and Fontanacce streams converge, you then cross back over the Valdarno Stream and, following the Montalto road, you get to Casa Gennaio; here, keeping to the left, you return towards Sant’Annapelago.
At Il Nespolo you can take a small detour: crossing the Fontanacce Stream on the right, you will find the path which leads to the “Pozzo del Pisano” (Pisan Well), a natural swimming pool. The “Sentiero delle Cascate” (Waterfall Trail) takes you along ancient routes and forest roads used by travellers, woodcutters, coalmen, shepherds and coachmen with their horse-drawn carts.

The history

From the 16th century, these paths were used to transport timber from the water-powered sawmills of the Valdarno and Fontanacce streams: firewood, coal and charcoal were brought to Ponte Sant’AnnaPelago for collection. In the 1500s, these paths were also used to transport iron and steel from nearby Tuscany to be processed in the ‘iron factories’ of Casa dell’Alda and Nespolo standing at the confluence of the Valdarno and Fontanacce streams. There are several natural springs along the path: the Rioo Spring, Montalto Spring and Borracce Spring.
Total walking time between 4 and 5 hours.
You can also download the itinerary leaflet at
this link