Acquacheta Falls from San Benedetto in Alpe
A path along the stream in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park leads to the waterfall Dante recalled in the Inferno, a drop of about 70 metres over slabs of sandstone.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 8.8 km
- Elevation gain
- +300 m / −300 m
- Time
- 4–4.5 hours
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 512–721 m
- Season
- Spring Autumn
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The story
In the sixteenth canto of the Inferno Dante compares the roar of an infernal river to that of the Acquacheta, which he probably saw during his exile. Above the falls, on the Piana dei Romiti, are the remains of a Benedictine hermitage.
Why go
Because it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Apennines, in a national park of ancient forests, and a literary landmark.
Practical information
- Start
- San Benedetto in Alpe (Portico e San Benedetto)
- Finish
- Acquacheta Falls and the Piana dei Romiti, back the same way
- Best time
- March–June and October–November (falls in full flow after rain)
- Parking
- Car park in the village of San Benedetto in Alpe.
- By public transport
- Bus from Forlì to San Benedetto in Alpe, with few services.
- Water
- Fountain in the village; nothing along the path.
- Shade
- Mostly in the forest.
- Huts and refreshments
- None: trattorias in San Benedetto.
- With children
- Yes, with children used to walking: there are stepping-stone crossings and slippery stretches.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
More hikes in Emilia-Romagna
- 1Pietra di Bismantova loopE 3.6 km · +290 m · 2–2.5 hours · loop
- 3★ Lago Santo Parmense from LagdeiE 3.6 km · +350 m · 1.5–2 hours · out and back
- 4Carnè loop in the Vena del GessoT 5.3 km · +240 m · 2 hours · loop
- 5Corno alle Scale and Lago Scaffaiolo loopE 8.1 km · +550 m · 3.5–4 hours · loop
- 6Monte Cimone from Pian CavallaroE 2 km · +280 m · 1.5–2 hours round trip · out and back
- 7Dardagna Falls from Madonna dell'AceroT 3.5 km · +60 m · 1.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 8The San Luca portico, from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuaryT 7.3 km · +200 m · 2 hours round trip · out and back
- 9Monte Ventasso from Lago CalamoneE 4.9 km · +380 m · 3 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.