Fanes Waterfalls Hike
Key facts about the hike
- Difficulty
- Easy Hikes are rated from very easy to very hard: my difficulty scale
- Duration
- 3h30 Estimated time, short breaks included (photos, water, snacks), picnic not included: how it is calculated
- Distance
- 9.1km
- Elevation gain
- 500m
- Type of route
- Loop
- Maximum altitude
- 1,750 m
- Vertiginous Five levels, depending on how exposed the route is: the levels in detail
- No
- Marked
- No
- Popularity
- Moderate
- Start point
- 46.60292, 12.10604
- Activity
- Hiking
Hike overview
The Fanes Waterfalls (Cascate di Fanes) hike is a must-do hike in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Ampezzo Dolomites Regional Nature Park. This loop trail follows the Rio Fanes through deep gorges and a coniferous forest. Along the way, you will see a series of waterfalls. The main waterfall, around 100 meters high, is one of the most spectacular in the Dolomites.
This route is accessible to everyone, including families, and has no via ferrata sections. It allows you to admire the waterfalls from superb viewpoints.
Map and elevation profile of the hike
Fanes Waterfalls Hike
Description and difficulties of the hike
The route presents no particular technical difficulty. From the Sant'Uberto parking lot, a wide gravel forest track leads gently uphill to Ponte Alto, a wooden bridge that spans the Rio Fanes gorge about 80 meters above the river.
The trail continues upstream alongside the Rio Fanes, passing from one waterfall to another amid rapids and pools of crystal-clear water. The final section, which leads to the Sbarco de Fanes waterfall, is more challenging and features a sustained climb through the forest.
The trail is not marked, but there are directional signs at the main intersections. Nevertheless, I recommend downloading the GPX track to help with navigation.
What you'll love
- The Ponte Alto, which offers a bird's-eye view of the narrow canyon gorges at the confluence of the Fanes and Travenanzes torrents.
- The succession of waterfalls, rapids, and turquoise pools that punctuate the ascent of the Rio Fanes.
- A lesser-known side of the Dolomites with steep-walled gorges, dense forests, and turbulent torrents in stark contrast to the region's typical rocky landscapes.
Practical information
Parking
The main parking lot is located in Sant'Uberto along the SS51 road, which connects Cortina d'Ampezzo to Dobbiaco. It is a paid lot (indicative rate in 2025: €8) and limited to vehicles under 2.5 m in height.
Best time to go
June through October. The waterfalls are particularly impressive in late spring and early summer when snowmelt swells their flow. In autumn, you can enjoy fewer crowds and the beautiful colors of the forest.
Variant
Hikers with via ferrata gear can take secured sections that allow them to pass behind the waterfall's curtain. See the Fanes Waterfalls hike and via ferrata for more details.
Overcast conditions
The route is perfect for overcast days with low cloud cover. Since the trail winds through the forest and the gorge, the diffused light highlights the waterfalls and the colors of the canyon.
Photos
See all 13 photos →
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