Dardagna Falls from Madonna dell'Acero
A walk through the beech forest along the Dardagna stream to the first of the seven waterfalls that step down from the Corno alle Scale.
- Difficulty
- T Tourist
- Length
- 3.5 km
- Elevation gain
- +60 m / −60 m
- Time
- 1.5 hours round trip
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 1188–1240 m
- Season
- Summer Autumn
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The story
According to tradition, the Madonna dell'Acero sanctuary was founded where two deaf-mute shepherd children found their voices before an image of the Madonna hanging on a maple tree. The sanctuary is still a place of pilgrimage.
Why go
Because it is the easiest way to see the waterfalls of the Bologna Apennines, suitable for the whole family.
Practical information
- Start
- Madonna dell'Acero Sanctuary, Lizzano in Belvedere (CAI trail 331)
- Finish
- First of the Dardagna falls; back the same way
- Best time
- May–November (most beautiful in spring, with the snowmelt)
- Parking
- At the Madonna dell'Acero sanctuary.
- By public transport
- Bus from Porretta Terme to Lizzano; then you need a car.
- Water
- Fountain at the sanctuary.
- Shade
- Beech forest the whole way.
- Huts and refreshments
- Bar and restaurant at the sanctuary.
- With children
- Yes, it is easy and almost flat to the first waterfall.
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
- 2★ Acquacheta Falls from San Benedetto in AlpeE 8.8 km · +300 m · 4–4.5 hours · out and back
- 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
- 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.