Sappada Waterfalls and the Source of the Piave: the Water Loop

Above Sappada the Piave is born — the river held sacred in Italian national memory. This easy excursion follows the stream to its source and then on to the nearby Mühlbach waterfalls.

The route is suitable for families and passes through a cool, densely wooded landscape rich in running water.

How to get there — Sappada, borgata Cima Sappada (1.295 m)

The starting point is Cima Sappada, the highest hamlet of the village at about 1,295 m, reached by car by driving up the Piave valley from Santo Stefano di Cadore along the SS355 state road. Sappada is set in the north-eastern corner of the Veneto, on the border with Friuli and Carnia: it is about an hour from Tolmezzo and a little more from Cortina via the Comelico. At Cima Sappada and around the hamlet there are free and paid car parks from which the trails towards the waterfalls and the source set off. The resort is also served by the buses running up the Cadore, with stops in the various hamlets.

The trailhead is in the Comelico e Sappada area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.

Stage by stage

When to go & weather

The best period runs from May to October, with the forest lush and the streams full thanks to the thaw and the spring rains. In summer the shaded setting brings coolness on hot days, while autumn sets the larches of Val Sesis aglow with yellow and makes the walk truly evocative. As this is an easy route at modest altitude, it is walkable for much of the year, but in early spring and after rain the ground near the water becomes muddy and slippery. In winter the area changes character and becomes terrain for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with the climb to the source depending on the snow cover.

Recommended gear

• Waterproof trekking boots, because near the waterfalls the ground stays damp
• A light waterproof jacket, as afternoon showers are not rare here
• Water and a snack for the stop along the stream
• Layered clothing: even in summer it is cool in the forest and in Val Sesis
• A camera for the waterfalls and the monument at the source of the Piave

Useful tips

• Go after rain or in early summer: the waterfall on the Rio Mühlbach is in far fuller flow
• Make the most of the forest shade on the muggiest days — it is one of the coolest walks in the area
• Treat yourself to a stop at the hut in Val Sesis, at the Piani del Cristo, before climbing to the source
• Extend the visit to the old hamlets of Sappada, with their typical timber blockbau-style houses
• Always wear waterproof footwear: the stretches beside the water stay wet even in the sun

Huts and rest points

• Rifugio Sorgenti del Piave (1830 m) — Accogliente rifugio presso le sorgenti del fiume Piave, sopra Sappada. Details →