Marmore Falls, or Cascata delle Marmore, are an absolute must-see in Umbria. One of the most famous waterfalls in Italy, it is located in Valnerina, just 2 km from Papigno and near Terni, in the Marmore Falls National Park. There we spent our last day in Umbria.
The Cascata delle Marmore is a man-made wonder of nature, which is why it sometimes looks as if someone has turned off the tap, and the water stopped flowing, or just trickled.
Marmore Falls – general information.
The waterfalls, formed by the Velino River, are considered among the highest in Europe: the total drop from peak to base is 165 meters and you can see all three cascades in which the fall is divided..
I mentioned above that the waterfall is man-made, which is true. It was created by the Romans, or rather, by a Roman consul who disliked swamps. One day in 271 BC, the consul ordered the construction of a canal to drain stagnant water from the cliffs near Marmorel. The canal was neglected for years and eventually clogged.
Centuries later, popes took an interest in the canal. In the early 15th century, one of them ordered the construction of a new one to restore the original flow. Then another pope ordered the construction of a new canal to widen the previous one. The canal’s history mentions another pope: he ordered the architect to make further modifications, and the architect followed his recommendations, resulting in the current appearance of the falls.
The waterfall is currently used to generate electricity. It typically flows daily from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. During peak season, these hours vary, as you can read below.
TICKETS AND OPENING HOURS
To see the cascade you need to purchase tickets. You can do it either online, or at the ticket office located in the parking lot. Tickets for the next day cannot be purchased at the ticket office, but you can do so at the ticket machine located at the ticket office.
You can choose where to park – there are two or three private parking lots and one large parking lot at the park/municipality. Parking there costs €10 for the entire day, but you can also pay by the hour. There is also a free parking spot near Marmore Falls, but it’s better to skip it. You have to walk to the cascade, and there’s a tunnel along the way that you can’t cross on foot.
How much ticket cost:
Full price (10 years and up) €12.00
Reduced price for 5-9 year old and over 70: €10.00
Combined tickets €12.00
Waterfall + Carsulae Archaeological Area
Waterfall + Hydra Museum
Waterfall + Marmore 6D Cinema virtual experience
Winter ticket on days without water supply €6.00
Family:2 parents with at least 3 children: children pay €6.00
Shuttle bus €4.00
PARK OPENING HOURS
Weekdays: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 am to 10:30 pm.
Water release:
Weekdays: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Saturday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
What to expect in the Marmore Falls National Park:
You can choose your parking space – there are two or three private parking lots near the park and one large one managed by the park/municipality. We paid €10 for the entire day at the latter, but you can also pay by the hour. There’s also free parking near the Marmore Falls, but it’s best to skip it. The falls are accessible by foot, and there’s a tunnel along the way that’s impossible to cross on foot.
Buy a raincoat – they’re sold in the shops in the main park. In some places, the force of the waterfall is so intense that you’ll look like you just took a shower.
There are six trails in the park, but only one (the fifth) is accessible to people with mobility issues and strollers. Of course, if any of these issues apply to you, you can still admire the view of the falls from the overlook at the main entrance.
Right, so what exactly awaits you on the trails?
Trails 1-4 are included in the park entrance fee, while 5 and 6 are free.
Trail No. 1 “Ancient Passage”
It’s 1 km long, rises 150 meters, and requires you to climb 600 steps. It leads to the highest point of the falls. People usually start from this trail, but we did it last.
At the top, there’s a small viewpoint and a place to eat. The view from there is spectacular. Continue up, and you’ll reach the exit (and restrooms), and if it’s sunny, you’ll also see a rainbow made of water drops.
In my opinion, it’s not difficult, but not everyone enjoys stairs. However, the trail has two rest areas with benches and tables.
You can access it from the Lower Belvedere (Piazza Velino) or the Upper Belvedere (Specola entrance).
Trail No. 2, “Ring of the Nymphs,” is an easy trail that begins at the Piazzale del Centro di Educazione Ambientale (Environmental Education Center), located in the Lower Belvedere.
This short and simple trail is closest to the waterfall and gets quite wet in several places! Initially, you’ll climb ladders and wooden bridges to admire the small but mighty waterfall. A short flight of stairs will take you to another short dirt path between the small waterfall and the second drop. From here, the trail begins to descend, and you’ll reach the starting point via stairs and paths.
Trail No. 3, “Meeting of the Waters,” is another easy route, even if there’re qiute a lot of stairs. It begins at the Environmental Education Center, located in the Lower Belvedere hiking trail area. This short trail leads you along wooden stairs and bridges to the Nera River. From balconies along the path, you can admire the gorges and rapids, as well as the lush greenery.
Trail No. 4, “Majesty,” is also easy. We actually started on this trail, which is located on the other side of the entrance, and the road. The path, made up primarily of stairs, is the only way to fully view the three jumps of the cascades. There are two viewpoints: the lower, Lower Pennarossa Belvedere, and the higher, Upper Pennarossa Belvedere, both overlooking the cascade. Climb and admire the majestic waterfall.
Trail No. 5, “The Cliff and the Man,” is easy and accessible for people with mobility issues. It begins at Campacci di Marmore (Upper Belvedere of Marmore Falls), right next to the ticket office.
This is a flat trail that runs along the edge of the Marmore cliff, offering evocative views of the Valnerina Valley.
Trail No. 6, “Wise Oaks,” is 1,600 meters long and challenging, as it is uneven and steep in places. It is therefore recommended for more experienced hikers. Approaching from the Lower Belvedere, the path is flat, then begins to climb steeply. Unfortunately there are no viewpoints for the waterfall.
Is the cataract worth visiting? In my opinion – absolutely. I would only suggest a day other than Sunday, as we went on a Sunday, and it was also a long weekend in August, and the park was packed.
