Cascate dell'Acquasanta: how to get there and trails

Where the Cascate dell'Acquasanta are located

The Cascate dell'Acquasanta are part of the territory of Bolognola, a municipality of 148 inhabitants in the Sibillini Mountains National Park. The village is at more than 1000 m and is the highest municipality in the Marche. The springs of the Fiastrone river rise in its territory, and Monte Rotondo is here too.

The waterfall is set between Monte Cacamillo and Punta Bambucerta, inside the Forra dell'Acquasanta. This gorge opens below the summit of Monte Rotondo and is reached by trail E4 from Bolognola. One of the two Grotte dell'Orso ("bear caves") of Bolognola is near the waterfall.

How to get to the Cascate dell'Acquasanta

The reference point for arriving is Bolognola, in the province of Macerata. The municipality also includes the hamlet of Pintura di Bolognola, at about 1,340 m and about 3 km from the village center. Pintura was born as a resort and grew up around the ski lifts.

Trails and hikes to the Cascate dell'Acquasanta

Trail E4 from Bolognola leads to the Forra dell'Acquasanta, where the waterfall is; it reopened in August 2023 after safety work, is classified EE, has an exposed final section and, by ordinance, must be considered closed during a regional weather alert. Anyone planning a hike should therefore first ask about trail conditions and local guidance, and check the weather before setting out. The waterfalls of the area are collected on the page waterfalls of the Sibillini Mountains in the Marche.

When to visit the Cascate dell'Acquasanta

Summer is the most popular season in Bolognola. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 17.4 °C (average for the period 1961-1990). Precipitation has a relative low in summer and a peak in autumn.

In winter the climate is very different. In Bolognola snow falls about thirty times a year, almost always with very significant accumulations, and frost days average 94 a year.

Summer visitors can time their trip to coincide with village events. On Ferragosto, the mid-August holiday, the Corsa della Secchia takes place, a race between three teams representing the three historic Ville (quarters) of Bolognola. It is preceded by a historical costume parade. On the Sunday before Ferragosto the Festa della Frittella is held, in Villa da Piedi. On an evening after Ferragosto there is the Festa country, a country-themed party.

What to see near the Cascate dell'Acquasanta

Around the waterfall, in the territory of Bolognola, there are several natural sites:

• The Forcella del Fargno is at 1811 m, between Monte Rotondo and Pizzo Tre Vescovi, and has a mountain hut; it is best to check whether it is open before going up. It separates the Val di Panico, to the west, from the Vallata del Fargno, to the east. It is the highest pass in the Marche open to public road traffic.
• The Fonte dell'Aquila is a spring with stone troughs on the slopes of Monte Sassotetto.
• The Macchiatonda is a circular beech wood in the hamlet of Pintura.
• The second Grotta dell'Orso is in the Vallata del Fargno, on the Costa delle Vetiche.

The village is made up of three medieval clusters: Villa da Capo, Villa di Mezzo and Villa da Piedi. In Villa da Piedi stands Palazzo Primavera, which dates from the 16th-17th centuries and is rich in frescoes. Today it hosts exhibitions and conferences and preserves equipment from the wool trade. In Villa di Mezzo is Palazzo Maurizi, the town hall, with tempera decorations from the early 19th century. The upper floor housed the permanent exhibition dedicated to Filippo Marchetti; after the earthquake the building, badly damaged, is under repair, so before visiting it is wise to check whether the exhibition is open.

The village was damaged by the 2016/2017 earthquake sequence. Before a visit it is therefore advisable to ask what is accessible.