Loop Trail from the Marmore Falls to Lake Piediluco

The Marmore Falls are famous, yet you only need to move a few hundred metres away from the main viewpoints to find yourself on nearly deserted paths, immersed in a damp, luxuriant wood. That is the beauty of the loop connecting the falls to nearby Lake Piediluco: an itinerary that brings together a celebrated natural spectacle and a quiet, little-visited lake, in the green heart of Umbria a stone's throw from Terni. Many visitors simply photograph the cascade and leave, missing everything that lies around it.

An artificial waterfall

It is worth remembering that the Marmore Falls are a man-made work of Roman origin: it was the Romans who diverted the river Velino to make it plunge into the Nera, and the drop, spread over several tiers, is among the tallest in Europe. Today the flow of water is regulated and released at set times, because upstream there is a hydroelectric plant. Knowing the opening times of the water is essential: at full flow the waterfall is spectacular, while during the closed hours the drop is greatly reduced. It is worth checking them before setting off and planning the walk accordingly.

The falls park is crossed by a network of waymarked paths climbing the slope, with viewpoints at different heights, panoramic tunnels and stretches where you literally get soaked by the spray. From the upper viewpoint, near the village of Marmore, the links towards Lake Piediluco set off. The route crosses woods and scenic stretches until it looks out over the sheet of water, set among hills and dominated by a distinctive conical peak.

Lake Piediluco

Lake Piediluco is the perfect counterpoint to the roar of the waterfall: calm waters, a compact village on the shore, boats and a long tradition tied to rowing, which finds one of its historic homes here thanks to the sheltered water. Walking along the banks or climbing to the viewpoints, you enjoy quiet vistas frequented mainly by locals and athletes rather than by large tourist crowds. From here the loop leads back towards the waterfall area, closing a route that alternates crashing water and still water.

Getting there: the reference point is Terni, well connected by train on the lines to Rome, Ancona and Spoleto, and reachable by car via the expressway. From the town you easily reach both the entrance to the falls park and Piediluco. There are bus connections between Terni, Marmore and the lake, useful for those who want to walk in a single direction and avoid retracing their steps, but the timetables must be checked. A car remains handy for managing the park's two entrances, the lower and the upper one, set at different elevations.

When to go

The best time is late spring and early summer, between May and June, as well as September. In these months the vegetation is at its greenest, the days are long and the climate is pleasant for walking even on the uphill stretches. September in particular offers pleasant temperatures and a clear drop in visitors compared with the height of summer. By avoiding high-season weekends and the middle of the day, you easily escape the concentration of people near the main viewpoints, while the paths towards Piediluco stay quiet at almost any time.

Practical tips

A practical tip: start from the bottom and climb at a leisurely pace to enjoy the waterfall from every angle, bringing a light change of clothes or a waterproof jacket because near the tiers the spray really does soak you. Check in advance the water-release times and the park's opening hours, and allow enough time to reach Piediluco without rushing. Finally, treat yourself to a stop on the lakeshore: after the roar of the Marmore, the silence of the still water is the ideal conclusion to this hidden loop.