Cascata di Ticinetto

Cascata di Ticinetto (or Cascata di Chironico) is one of the more interesting waterfalls you can visit along motorway 2, just after the St Gotthard Tunnel. The waterfall is located near Chironico in the region Ticino, Switzerland.

In the summer of 2024 we decided to go south, starting in Basel. There was a big traffic jam in front of the St Gotthard Tunnel. When driving south on motorway 2 take the exit Faido (43) and then the paralel road to Lavorgo. At Lavorgo follow the signs Chironico. In the village, just before crossing the river Ticinetto, there are little yellow signs pointing ‘right’. Go right here and follow the river upstream (a very narrow road) for 2,4 kilometer. The road ends at a parking or actually two parkings. Not to big but there is al least space for twenty cars (gps 46.413454, 8.818591).

From the second parking you already have a nice view on the immense Cascata di Ticinetto. it a 500 meter walk (5-10 minutes)  to the base of the waterfall. The waterfall is quite unknown and there isn’t an official path to the base of the waterfall, so you have to find your way.
I followed the path and then took a left turn near the waterfall, descending down. Not the best option. Maybe it is better to descend to the river just after the asphalt path ends en then walk further up in the riverbed.

I think it rained the days before because Cascata di Ticinetto was quite powerful and perfect for a good photo. In the river Ticinetto there are multiple other waterfalls. The lower part of the waterfall has a single drop of appr. 36 meter (measured). Further upstream there are several cascades of 10 meter, maybe more. But we where heading to the south to Vallemaggia and there wasn’t time to explore the other, upstream, waterfalls…

A little further south, near Biasca, there is another awesome waterfall (actually 3 to 4 waterfalls) that are easy to reach and are a must to visit: cascata di Santa Petronilla. The perfect place for the perfect picture and there are several swimming ponds!