Cascata delle Rote: how to get there and trails

Where the Cascata delle Rote is located

The Cascata delle Rote lies just below the village of Sellano, in the Umbrian Valnerina, together with Lago di Vigi. The Le Rote stream drops into the Vigi river in a fall of a few meters. The landscape is made up of woods, small watercourses and springs, and the waterfalls open up in gorges rich in vegetation. Oak and holm oak dominate the area.

How to get to the Cascata delle Rote

From Foligno, Sellano is about forty minutes away by car, following the direction Rasiglia – Valnerina. Coming from Foligno, at the start of the village a steep descent on the left leads straight to the lake. The car is left near the lake, and the trail to the waterfalls starts a little farther on, along the river.

It is also possible to set out on foot from the village. The starting point is the octagonal Chiesa di San Francesco, on Viale Marconi. The return ends with the climb back up to the village.

Trails and hikes to the Cascata delle Rote

The shortest route starts from the lake. After the area set up for sport fishing, turn right onto a small bridge over the river. A few meters farther on, again on the right, is a meadow at the base of the waterfall. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended, because getting your feet a little wet before arriving is almost unavoidable.

For a longer day, there is the loop via Montesanto. The Municipality's itinerary takes a few hours of walking and is graded E (hiking). From Sellano the route descends to the lake and climbs back up toward Montesanto. Then a steep mule track descends to the Le Rote stream, where the first series of waterfalls appears. Another path continues from Montesanto to Setri.

When to visit the Cascata delle Rote

In summer the flow can be scarce. In very hot summers the waterfalls can be completely dry. A water intake for the small lake halfway up the slope, combined with the low water, has left the lower waterfall dry. Before setting out, it is therefore wise to ask about conditions over the previous days.

Swimming is not allowed in the area, because the water is about 8-10 °C.

What to see near the Cascata delle Rote

Lago di Vigi is an artificial lake created in the 1960s. There are many anglers, and buzzards and herons can be seen.

Above the valley stands the Montesanto Castle, an old outpost guarding the parish church of Mevale. The village is partly restored. A Tibetan bridge (a suspension footbridge), which was not in operation in October 2026, connects Sellano with Montesanto. In the village of Sellano is the octagonal Chiesa di San Francesco.