Cascata di Nardis

Cascata di Nardis is one of the many waterfalls (but also the most famous one) in Valle Genova, near Pinzola, in the region Trentino – Alto Adige, Italy.

In Pinzola you take the exit to the valley of Genova (and cascata di Nardis) but the signs aren’t very clear. Although Valle Genova is a major tourists attraction, the road to cascata di Nardis is quite narrow. In summertime it can be very crowded but out of the season very pleasant.

I made a short visit to the valley end of April 2019 and there where hardly any people. I could drive on to Rifugio Fontanabona. In summertime this is not possible!! Unfortunately the road further down the valley was under construction and it was to late to walk further down the valley. A shame, I was so close to the second huge waterfall in Valle Genova, cascata di Lares.

I tried to make some pictures of another waterfall near Rifugio Fontanabona, Cascata del Casol. I walked up to the bridge over the river but bad weather destroyed the bridge and path. I went back to the car and drove back to Cascata di Nardis to make some pictures. Unfortunately in April the waterfall isn’t very powerful and impressive.

In summertime you have to pay an entrance or parking fee of 6 euro. The closer you want to park (gps 46.169136, 10.721189), the more you have to pay (9 euros if you want to park close to the cascata del Nardis).) Why do? The trail to the first waterfall (cascata del Nardis) is very beautiful and not that long.

The first waterfall you see (and can’t miss) is the most famous and also the highest waterfall in Valle Genova, cascata di Nardis. Cascata di Nardis plunges down over 97 meters and can be quit wide. Up at the river Nardis you will find two small glaciers Vendretta di Nardis and Vendretta Pressanella at an altitude of 3.485 meters. Early summer at warm weather the river Nardis grows to a wild river and Cascata di Nardis grows and gets more impressive.

From cascata di Nardis it is possible to hike further into Valle Genova. It is a gorgeous, though long walk (14 kilometer) to the end of the valley, to the Bedole hut (Piana Bedole). If 14 kilometer is to long you also can stop at la Todesca or Ponte Maria (after 8 kilometer). In summertime there is a shuttle bus that can bring you back to the starting point.

There is also a shuttle bus going into Valle Genova with a bus stop at Ponte Maria, near Cascate di Lares.  For more information about the shuttle bus in Valle Genova, look at the timetable to see the times and the fee. From Ponte Maria a second bus goes further to the Bedole hut, the end of the valley. In the last part of the valley there are many waterfalls you can see.

It’s a shame that I did not have more time to explore the Genova valley. The valley of Genova has multiple waterfalls which you can reach by foot following the river. It will take a few hours before you ended at the valley. There’s also a bus going on certain times or better grab your bike if you have one with you. If not, in summertime you can rent an (electric) bike in Pinzola. Unfortunately the store was closed when I was there in April…

The first waterfall near the parking is Cascata di Nardis. From here you follow the river until you reach: Cascate del Sol, Cascata Lares, Cascata Folgorido, Cascata Casina Muta, Casccata Pedruc and way up Cascata Lago Nuovo-Cascata Mandron. At that time you also have reached the glacier.