Cascata del Rio in Montefortino: how to get there and trails

Where the Cascata del Rio in Montefortino is located

The waterfall lies in the municipality of Montefortino, in the province of Fermo, in the Marche section of the Sibillini Mountains National Park. The Rio runs through a deep channel between the knoll of the San Leonardo hermitage, at 1,128 m, and Monte Pizzo, an eastern spur of Monte Priora. Farther downstream the stream drops into the Tenna with another, taller waterfall, the "Casco di Rio". Older local residents call the hidden waterfall "Pisciarelle", the same name given to the small cascades of Monte Zampa at the entrance to the gorge.

How to get to the Cascata del Rio in Montefortino

The reference point is Rubbiano, a hamlet of Montefortino. Past the village, follow the signs for the Gole dell'Infernaccio and continue on a dirt road for about 2 km to the clearing where cars are parked, at the locality of Valleria. From here the route continues on foot along hiking trail E9.

Trails and hikes to the Cascata del Rio in Montefortino

From the Valleria parking area, the E9 enters the Gole dell'Infernaccio, crosses the ford below the Pisciarelle, small cascades that come down from Monte Zampa, and reaches the fork for the hermitage: to the right, the trail zigzags up through the beech forest for about half an hour. Behind the fountain in the hermitage clearing, the path to the waterfall begins. It passes two ruins, opens up along the stream and then closes in among the rocks, where the final stretch becomes narrow and steep. The CAI (Italian Alpine Club) section of Montefortino rates the hike from Valleria to the waterfall as EE, for expert hikers.

With Ordinance no. 32 of July 17, 2026, the Municipality of Montefortino reopened the section of the E9 between Valleria and the second fork for the hermitage, which had been closed after the winter avalanches. Access is allowed with a certified mountain helmet, because of the risk of falling rocks, and without stopping in the areas marked as dangerous. When the regional Civil Protection issues a weather alert, the trail is closed; the section of the E9 from the second fork toward Arcofù remains closed.

When to visit the Cascata del Rio in Montefortino

The Gole dell'Infernaccio trail is used from May to October. Avalanches and landslides often reshape the valley floor and can lead to trail closures: before setting out, it is wise to check the weather and the ordinances of the Municipality of Montefortino. When the ground is wet, the last stretch toward the waterfall calls for even more care.

What to see near the Cascata del Rio in Montefortino

The Eremo di San Leonardo al Volubrio is a pilgrimage destination: the current church was rebuilt starting in 1971 by Father Pietro Lavini, on the remains of a Benedictine monastery documented from the 12th century. The 2016 earthquake damaged the building: it can be reached on foot and seen from the outside, but before visiting it is worth checking whether it is possible to go inside. At the fork in the gorge, the left-hand trail leads toward Capotenna, the source of the Tenna (beyond the second fork for the hermitage it is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians by order of the Municipality of Montefortino); along this trail, after the 2016 earthquake, the Laghetto della Sibilla, a small lake, was formed.