In the Garda Trentino side, this unique scenario opens up from the underground waters of Lake Tenno, which meet a softer rock and form a spectacular waterfall.
Known since the 19th century the Varone waterfall is a marvel that emerges from the rock walls and descends into a 73-metre-high gorge. Can they be visited? Yes, with an exceptional and guided route.
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The inauguration and its recent history
They have not always been so popular: the Varone waterfalls have a history that goes back geologically, but they were only inaugurated in 1874 thanks to Prince Nicola of Montenegro who was on holiday at Lake Garda: he was the godfather of this event in Riva del Garda.
Over the time, the Varone waterfalls has become an essential stop for nature lovers, and often attended in every official event of the life of Riva, in which guests were accompanied to get excited in front of the natural spectacle.
Today the waterfalls are located within a small natural park, which is private since it was inaugurated. Before the construction of roads and infrastructures (built in the 19th century) useful to visit them, there were no paths to enter the mountain. The waterfalls and caves were, therefore, invisible, except by going up the stream in the water.
Even today the owners take care of the maintenance of the paths, balustrades and bridges, as well as the winding ladder that allows you to better see this manifestation of the natural power of water.
The entrance to the waterfall, with its steps, was built by the architect Giancarlo Maroni, who was also the author of the Vittoriale, or better know as the name of the residence of the famous italian poetry Gabriele D’Annunzio, located in Gardone Riviera.
Legend has it that this was the place where in 1901 the German writer Thomas Mann found part of the inspiration to write his masterpiece The Magic Mountain. In addition, it received visits from the literary genius Franz Kafka.
What to see: the two caves
The water falls noisily and you can admire this show through the ladders and balconies between the various observation points of the waterfalls.
The ladders also allow you to see two different caves. The lower cave which is located near the first runner; and the other called upper cave, which houses the water that flows inside the mountain.
The Lower Cave
A view from below can be had from the lower cave, which allows you to observe the Cascata di Varone in its final fall. This cave can be reached via a short walkway, which allows you to enter the gorge; the sinuous gorge between curves, dug 55 meters deep into the rock of the mountain, in about 20,000 years. The walkway allows you to walk on the water, suspended and waiting for the view of the waterfall, where the stream arrives from almost 100 meters in height.
The Upper Cave
The upper cave, 40 meters higher up, can be reached after going up a flight of steps which is nothing more than a passage inside the botanical garden where you can admire the various plants grown on the sides. At the end of the stairway you come to an artificial tunnel of about 15 metres, which reaches right into the mountain and opens onto the Varone waterfall in full intensity.
Here you could get much more wet than in the lower cave, so I advise you (actually there are a lot of advise ) to bring a raincoat, or you can buy one directly there.
How to reach the Varone waterfall
The Varone waterfall is located in the municipality of Tenno, a few kilometers from Riva del Garda. It can be reached on the state road 421 in the direction of Ponte Arche.
From here you have to follow the signs for Tenno and before the town, you have to turn following the signs for Varone – Località le Foci. The (small) car park is free and you can park for 2 hours (which is enough to the park).
Ticket Cost
A visit of the Varone Waterfalls can be done by paying for a ticket, which costs €6 on average, but can be reduced with family rates, for groups or school groups.
Furthermore, there are signs that strongly recommend wearing a raincoat to avoid getting wet during a visit to the caves: when I went there it was a very hot summer and I was suspicious about it, but at the end I still bought the small raincoat for €2.50 which in fact I recommend to anyone who has not brought anything. Also because with a raincoat you can linger longer to observe the waterfall without being in a hurry to leave in order to don’t get too wet.
Visiting and opening hours
It can be visited all year round, except at Christmas, with hours ranging from 10am to 5pm in January, February, November and December. From 9am to 5pm in March and October, from 9am to 6pm in April and September. Summer hours are 9am to 7pm, May to August.
