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WATERFALL HIKES · VICENZA, ITALY
Chase waterfalls and walk inside a giant forest nest in Vicenza
3.7 km of waterfalls, woodland and monumental land art
In Vicenza’s upper Astico Valley, a short waterfall hike leads to a giant nest you can walk inside, woven from more than 2,500 roots recovered after an Alpine storm. Allow around 90 minutes for the easiest loop, with extra time for the natural pools, woodland and the extraordinary sculpture waiting among the trees.
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Il Nido by Marco Martalar, Pedemonte, Vicenza. Source: Comune di Pedemonte, CC BY 4.0.
Know before you go
Check the official trail information and local weather before setting out. Water levels affect the stream crossing, and paths beside the waterfalls can be slippery after rain. Wear hiking shoes with good grip
THE STORY
Pedemonte, at the northern edge of Vicenza province near Trentino, gives waterfall chasing an unusual destination: a monumental nest hidden in the woods. Its Sentieri delle Cascate, or Waterfall Trails, combine circular walks, natural pools and land art in a valley once divided by the border between Venetian and Habsburg territory.
The shortest loop reaches Gorgo Santo, meaning “Holy Pool”, where water emerges from the limestone mountainside and tumbles into clear basins. Local folklore gives the place a suitably wild inhabitant: a dragon said to have disappeared into the deepest recesses of the rock.
The walk continues into the Rio Torto Valley, across the stream and through woodland. Higher up this valley, an old route once took emigrants towards Caldonazzo and the railway to Central Europe.
Then comes Il Nido, Italian for “The Nest”. More than five metres across, its steel structure is covered with over 2,500 roots salvaged from forests damaged by Storm Vaia. Italian sculptor Marco Martalar, known for his enormous wooden creatures, designed it for visitors to enter. Inside, the tangled roots surround you, with the woodland visible through the gaps.
WHY GO
For a short scenic hike in northern Italy with waterfalls and something worth walking to. The combination of forest trails and a sculpture you can enter makes Pedemonte a compelling addition to an itinerary of unusual outdoor places in Europe, particularly for walkers interested in land art and woodland photography.
THE EASIEST LOOP
Choose the Gorgo Santo and Rio Torto loop: 3.7 km, approximately 90 minutes and 120 metres of ascent. It links the waterfalls and Il Nido with Brancafora, a historic village, before returning to the starting point.
For more time on the trail, the Brancafora, Ciechi and Carotte loop reaches the Civetta waterfall over 6.4 km. The Scalzeri, Casotto and I Gorghi circuit covers approximately 10 km.
WATERFALL HIKE FAQ
Where can I find an unusual waterfall hike near Vicenza?
Head to Pedemonte in the upper Astico Valley. Its shortest waterfall loop combines Gorgo Santo, woodland and Il Nido, Marco Martalar’s giant nest sculpture.
How difficult is the walk to Il Nido?
The official route is rated easy, with 120 metres of ascent over 3.7 km. It includes a stream crossing on large stones, so footing and water conditions matter.
Can you go inside the giant nest?
Yes. Il Nido was designed for visitors to enter its woven root structure.
Where does the walk start?
At the former town hall car park in località Longhi, Pedemonte. Follow the signs for the Gorgo Santo and Rio Torto loop.
In the mountains above Vicenza the same word described a narrow passage across stone, and a tiny plot of ground held by dry stone walls.
The Vicenza Lexicon →