🧭 Every country, and the places worth the trip NEW 26,489 places written across 243 countries 🎮 Guess the country As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Meridiela.
Auf Deutsch lesenThis page is also written in Deutsch.

Foroglio Waterfall

A hundred-metre fall dropping straight onto a hamlet of grey stone houses in Val Bavona.

Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map

WhereTicino
Nearest cityCevio about 12 km; Locarno about 40 km
Best seasonMay to October, strongest after rain and in the melt
Time to allowTwo hours
Getting thereVal Bavona road from Bignasco; postbus stops at Foroglio
EntryFree

The Foroglio fall comes off the hanging valley of Val Calnegia and drops about a hundred and eight metres in a single plunge, landing directly behind the hamlet of Foroglio - and it is the juxtaposition that makes the image: a compact cluster of dry-stone houses with stone-slab roofs, a small church, and a waterfall filling the wall immediately above them. A short path leads to the base through spray. Above, a steeper route climbs into Val Calnegia past terraces and more stone hamlets. The grotto restaurant in Foroglio serves Ticinese food and is the only commercial building. Flow depends on rain and melt, and after a dry fortnight the fall thins considerably.

What you actually see

  • A 108-metre plunge behind a hamlet - the fall filling the wall above the houses.
  • Stone-slab roofs - the dry-stone building of Val Bavona.
  • A short path to the base - into the spray at the foot.
  • Val Calnegia above - the hanging valley the water comes from.

When to go

May to October; after rain for the fullest flow. Two hours.

Honest expectations

Flow drops sharply in dry spells. Parking in the hamlet is very limited and the road is narrow. The path to the base is wet and slippery. Foroglio is small - one restaurant and no shops.

Nearby

Val Bavona continues to San Carlo; Val Maggia runs down to Locarno.

What to pack for Foroglio Waterfall

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

All packing kits →

Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

← More nature & outdoors in Switzerland

One postcard a week.

A short Friday email: one place worth knowing about, the story behind it, and what is in season right now. No noise - leave whenever you like.