“Gutta cavat lapidem”, the drop carves the stone: this Latin saying perfectly describes one of the natural wonders of the Alto Garda landscape, the Varone Waterfall. “A formation like that of the Varone Waterfall is one-of-a-kind – declares Giordano Tortella, head of the site. Eroded by the force of water over the last 20,000 years, it has created a striking wonder capable of enchanting visitors. We are used to seeing waterfalls on the outside of mountains, but here the reverse happens: the waterfall carved out a deep gorge, shaping the rock into sinuous curves and caves that are a wonder to behold”.
Visitors interested in taking a tour, will access the waterfall via an interesting entrance designed by the famous architect Maroni – also known as the designer of the Vittoriale project, the Gardone residence of Gabriele D’Annunzio – to then reach the wild mouth of the gorge that meanders along in a series of bends inside the mountain. The impression is that of entering a cave, but instead you are in a very narrow, high gorge, where the waters fall at a depth of 55 metres in a deafening roar amidst vaporous clouds of mist. When the sun is at its highest, it creates beautiful plays of refracted light, which give life to spectacular rainbows. However, also in the winter, the view is breathtaking, thanks to the meticulous array of coloured lights that highlight the phenomenon.
A tunnel of 15 metres carved into the mountain leads to the “upper gorge” where in a hellish funnel and bona fide gorge, the waterfall flows winding its way into the mountain for 73 metres. Here, the rocks seem to wave like a curtain in the breeze, among fantastic figures and bizarre folds.
From here, is the last part of the visit to the botanical garden where it is possible to admire Mediterranean plants and trees from high altitudes, with a careful rotation of blossoming plants that allows you to find flowers year-round.
The Varone Waterfall Cave Park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round: “A choice that we made to reward the many tourists who come to Alto Garda both in the summer and in the colder months”, explains Giordano Tortella.

Varone Waterfall Cave Park
Website: www.cascata-varone.com
Phone: (+39) 0464.521421