Cookie preferences

Choose which cookies to accept. Your choice lasts 6 months, and you can change it at any time. Cookie policy

Technical cookies

Always on

pll_language remembers your language (1 year); sg_consenso stores your cookie choice (6 months). They are needed for the site to work and do not require consent.

Google Analytics 4, provided by Google Ireland Limited, collects data about visits (pages viewed, device, approximate location) for statistics on how the site is used. It sets the _ga and _ga_<code> cookies, which last up to 2 years. It is active only with your consent.

The GetYourGuide calendar, provided by GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, shows dates and prices for experiences and tracks bookings made from this site. It sets the visitor_id cookie (up to 13 months) and a technical Cloudflare cookie (30 minutes), and it loads a font from Google Fonts. Without consent, you see a link to GetYourGuide instead of the calendar.

Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano: how to get there and trails

At a glance

Type
Waterfall
Municipality
Sarnano (MC)

Source: site database, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

The Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano ("waterfall of the old mill of the Piano") is in Sarnano, in the contrada of Piano, a short walk from the historic center. It is the first stop on the Via delle Cascate Perdute ("way of the lost waterfalls"). The drop is partly natural and partly created in the 15th century, when a channel was built to divert the river's water toward a mill that can still be seen. The ruins of the mill are covered by vegetation but almost intact in their structure. The waterfall is officially open to the public by the Municipality of Sarnano, which made it accessible through a project of the town administration.

Before you go

Forecast

  1. Today19° / 15°0.0 mmCloudy
  2. Tomorrow20° / 15°3.2 mmPartly cloudy
  3. Friday17° / 12°16.3 mmShowers

Forecast by MET Norway, updated automatically · license CC BY 4.0

Rules and orders: Park website. Snow and avalanches: Meteomont bulletin.

Share

On the map

Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.

Where the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano is located

The waterfall is in the Piano area, near the Palasport (sports hall) and the Liceo Scientifico high school. For this reason it is also known as the Cascata del Piano. The route that reaches it descends from the center of Sarnano to the streambed, at about 440 m. Sarnano is in the province of Macerata, in the Sibillini Mountains National Park.

How to get to the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano

Drive to Sarnano and leave the car in one of the parking lots below the historic center. At Largo Bozzoni there is a large parking lot, connected by an elevator to the base of the historic center: it comes out a few steps from the viewpoint of Piazza Perfetti. From Piazza Perfetti to the waterfall takes about 15 minutes.

To shorten the climb on the way back, it is possible to park at the sports facilities on Via Scarfiotti, right by the start of the dirt section. Parking is also possible along Via del Colle past the sports facilities, following the wooden sign. Along Via del Colle, the trail to the waterfall opens on the right and is marked by a sign.

Trails and hikes to the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano

The final stretch is a dirt track that goes into the woods and descends toward the riverbed. It passes the mill ruins and a wooden footbridge, and then the waterfall comes into view. The descent is steep and becomes a climb on the way back. Closed, non-slip footwear is needed, although hiking shoes are not necessary. The route is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs, and there are slippery spots near the waterfall.

The itinerary to the waterfall alone is 2 km round trip, with 40 m of elevation gain and about 20 minutes of walking. Beyond the waterfall it is not possible to continue, so the way back is the same.

The waterfall is also the first stop on the Via delle Cascate Perdute, which starts from Piazza Perfetti. This route of about 6 km partly follows the Tennacola stream and links three stops: the cascata dell'Antico Mulino, the Cascata de lu Vagnatò and the Cascatelle dei Romani. It takes about an hour and three quarters and is marked along its entire length.

When to visit the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano

The waterfall can be reached all year round. Summer is the most popular season: the route is shaded and the spot is cool. In autumn, too, the woods turn many colors. After rain it pays to be more careful on the slippery stretches and to check the weather before setting out.

What to see near the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano

The other two stops on the Via delle Cascate Perdute are the Cascata de lu Vagnatò, in the locality of Morelli, and the Cascatelle, in the locality of Romani. For the former, access and trails are covered on the Cascata de lu Vagnatò page. From the Cascatelle a route leads to the Pozze dell'Acquasanta rock pools and to the Cascata del Pellegrino, which has its own page: Cascate del Pellegrino. For a broader overview, see the page waterfalls of the Sibillini Mountains in the Marche. In Sarnano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, the historic center is also worth a visit.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to reach the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano?

From the parking area on Via del Colle, past the sports facilities, it takes just a few minutes following the sign. From Piazza Perfetti, in the historic center, it takes about 15 minutes. The itinerary to the waterfall alone is given as about 20 minutes round trip.

Where do you park for the waterfall?

There are three options. At Largo Bozzoni there is a large parking lot, connected to the historic center by an elevator. Alternatively, it is possible to park at the sports facilities on Via Scarfiotti, near the start of the dirt track, or along Via del Colle, past the sports facilities.

Can you visit the waterfall with children or a stroller?

The route is short and also suitable for children, but it cannot be used with strollers or wheelchairs. The trail descends steeply through the woods, so closed, non-slip footwear is needed. There are slippery spots near the waterfall.

Can you visit the Cascata dell'Antico Mulino del Piano in winter?

Yes. The waterfall can be reached all year round. The Via delle Cascate Perdute, of which it is part, can be walked both in summer and in winter. After rain or frost it pays to be careful on the slippery stretches.

Nearby

Where to eat

Straight-line distances.