Cascata della Prata: how to get there and trails

Where the Cascata della Prata is located

The waterfall is on the Marche side of the Monti della Laga, in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, not in the Sibillini. In that stretch the Salaria road (SS 4) marks a natural boundary between this park and the Sibillini Mountains National Park. The reference point is Umito, a hamlet of Acquasanta Terme on the southern side of the Tronto valley.

Here the mountains are made mostly of sandstone, a rock with low permeability. For this reason the streams, including the Rio Prata and the Volpara, carve large beds and form waterfalls from 40 to 90 meters high.

How to get to the Cascata della Prata

Umito is easy to reach by car and is 27 km from Ascoli Piceno. At the edge of Acquasanta Terme, a provincial road leaves the Salaria and climbs to the village.

At the far end of the village there is a small parking area. Spaces are few, so on weekends it is best to arrive early. The trail starts just below the parking area and enters the woods right away. The markings to follow are the white and red ones of trail no. 314.

Trails and hikes to the Cascata della Prata

The first stretch follows a wide forest track along the Rio Prata, almost always in the shade. After about 500 meters there is a rest area with a wooden table and benches. Then the route continues to a fork with a sign for the waterfall. Here, turn left and climb through the woods to the falls.

The full route is about 7 km round trip, with an elevation gain of a few hundred meters. The final detour from the fork usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes. The trail is not very tiring, but the last stretch is steep and narrow and can be slippery. In some places dense vegetation, fallen trunks and wet ground make the way harder. Hiking shoes and water are needed.

The trail is part of the project "Le antiche vie mulattiere di Acquasanta" ("the old mule tracks of Acquasanta"), dedicated to restoring the municipality's old routes. Beyond the fork, the dirt road continues toward the Cascata della Volpara, on a longer and more demanding route.

When to visit the Cascata della Prata

In summer the trail, largely shaded, makes for a cooler walk. The flow, however, changes with the seasons. The waterfalls in this area carry the most water after rain and snowmelt, while at the end of summer the flow can become scarce. Even with little water, the falls remain appreciated. It is a good idea to check the weather before setting out and to watch out for wet ground.

What to see near the Cascata della Prata

Continuing from the fork leads to the Cascata della Volpara. Along the trail is the "Fornetto", a shelter with an oven inside that shepherds, smugglers and brigands used to bake bread. Farther on are the chutes and pools carved into the rock by the Rio Volpara, typical summer destinations for hikers.

Another place nearby is the Cascata di Forcella, reached by way of Corneto. For a comparison with other waterfalls in the area, see the page waterfalls of the Sibillini Mountains in the Marche.