Summer 2024: Switzerland & Austria
Day 1/2 - Netherlands > Basel
It isn’t very inviting think to stop in Basel when you're in Switzerland. Basel is known for its chemical industry, but I'm glad we took the chance. It has a nice center with many museums, culture and coziness around the Rhine. Our apartment is almost next to the train station, a nice place to explore Basel (with an electric scooter from Lime).
Day 3 - Basel > ValleMaggia
Traveling on a Black Saturday is not a good idea, but it goes well until we are near the St Gotthard tunnel. There we decide to take the Gotthard Pass to avoid the traffic jam and that was a very good idea. Not only is it a nice and beautiful route (without traffic jams), we also, unexpectedly, come across a waterfall at the Teufelsbrücke. The train just passes by in the background, great timing!
There are 3 waterfalls we want to visit after crossing the Gotthard Pass, in Valle Leventina. The first is a relatively unknown waterfall 'cascata di Ticinetto' near Chronico (Faido). A narrow road leads to a parking lot where you can already see 'cascata di Ticinetto' thundering down. Via the river you can then walk to the base of the waterfall where the river Ticinetto thunders down 36 meters with great force. A beautiful start to my waterfall holiday!
But this is not the highlight. A waterfall that is a bit underrated, but is certainly one of the most beautiful and also one of the highest waterfalls in Switzerland, is ‘cascata di Santa Petronilla’ near Biasca. Here you are treated to more than 4 waterfalls (in a row) with a total height of 260 meters. We start at the second drop. From the church in Biasco we walk to the perfect place to swim. The waterfall (actually two) here is not super tall but there are two pools where you can swim. I also walk up to the large waterfall. Wow, you should definitely do this and here you can swim again. Finally, when we get back to the car, we drive to the train station where you can enjoy a perfect view on the lower waterfall of ‘cascata di Santa Petronilla’ (with a tall drop). Yes, all very beautiful and I wish I could stay longer.
On to waterfall number three which is a swimming spot with a waterfall, ‘cascata Pozzone di Osogna’ at Riviera. Again, a heavenly place to swim. Actually, there are two places where you can swim. Upon arrival we walked behind some people on a path which went up quite steeply until you reached a scenic pool. Not a lot of space to lie down, but beautiful. We descend again to ‘cascata Pozzone di Osogna’. Really beautiful, I love swimming at waterfalls, and this pool is gorgeous (even though it is a bit busy).
It is time to drive on to Maggia where we have a studio with the appropriate name ‘casa alla cascata’, I am looking forward to it. I have been to ‘cascata del Salto’ in Maggia before and this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region.
Visited Waterfalls
Day 4 – Maggia and surroundings
The very first day I am invited by the owner of our studio to visit some unknown waterfalls near Maggia. We share the same interest, waterfalls, and in the afternoon we leave for Aurigeno where a small waterfall flows into a beautiful swimming pool. It is still a bit early, but when the sun shines on it a beautiful place to bathe. The second waterfall is also located in Aurigeno, but the path has been washed away by heavy rainfall in June. Too bad we can only view it from a distance. The last waterfall and also the most beautiful and special waterfall is a real hidden gem. You have to know that it exists and there is no one around. At Gordevio the river falls down in an exceptional environment. The shapes and drawings of the rock face are unnatural and very special. Moreover, you can swim there wonderfully. Let's keep this one hidden…. Tanya, the owner of our studio, also organizes excursions to hidden waterfalls in ValleMaggia!
A good start to our holiday. At the end of the afternoon I go exploring and try the shortened route to ‘cascata del Salto’. After some searching and some detours I end up in the riverbed quite quickly. From here I climb my way up to ‘cascata del Salto’. Actually quite fun to do. I also like climbing and scrambling, looking for paths that are a bit unusual. Unfortunately I also fall sometimes, also during this holiday, but fortunately never too seriously. Wow, when I arrive at the waterfall I see the most beautiful rainbow I have seen in years. This is enjoying. And not only do I enjoy it, but fortunately it is not busy either. During the holiday we will definitely come back several times to swim here. How many waterfalls are there where you can swim under or behind, with a rainbow and that is also quite high? I can assure you that there are not many of these waterfalls in Europe. Via the small but also photogenic village of Maggia I walk home again. Time to cook dinner.
Visited Waterfalls
Day 5 – Valle Verzasca
From experience (I have been there years ago) I know that you have to leave early if you want a parking spot near the river, near Ponte dei Salti (beautiful Roman bridge). The water here is so clear, so colourful and the rock formations are amazing. If you look one way you see the old bridge, if you look the other way you see the church of Verzasca. So beautiful, so photogenic and it is still quiet now.
Unfortunately we have to go but if there is a spot we want to swim here on the way back. A little further we see an unknown waterfall ‘Valegiom’. Here too the water is crystal clear with such beautiful colours. Also a beautiful swimming spot, but you keep saying that as you go further into the valley. After a few hundred metres the next waterfall appears ‘cascata di Aquino’. Both are not very impressive waterfalls, but the surroundings and the river are worth stopping and enjoying.
We drive further into the valley to ‘cascata Val Moett’. I already knew that the sun would be right above it, so you don’t really have a good view. I know that you can also walk there from the bridge a bit back, but we decide to drive on to a waterfall that everyone (unfairly) drives past: ‘cascata Riale Efra’ in Frasco. Not very high, but beautiful and it is located along the road. There is a parking lot right in front of it, but everyone drives past it because there is no parking space after it…. You can also swim here, but not many people do that. It is a mystical, beautiful place. Maybe next time?
The highlight is yet to come: we drive to a large parking lot in Sonogno. From here you can take a short walk to the most impressive waterfall in the valley, ‘cascata la Froda’. The waterfall is 70 meters high and it is super photogenic. After we have spent quite a bit of time taking pictures, we walk up to the left of the waterfall for an even better view of ‘cascata la Froda’. The path continues on the other side of the river, back to Sonogno. This is great fun, except for the horseflies. They drive me crazy. I often lie awake at night because of the itch.
On the way back it turns out to be too busy to go swimming anywhere near the river. The parking lots are packed and you have to pay anyway. We decide to drive back to ValleMaggia and go swimming at the lovely swimming spot at ‘Cascata delle Sponde’. So lovely there and free parking!
Visited Waterfalls
Day 6 – Maggia & Giumaglio
Time for a rest day with few kilometers and lots of swimming fun. In the next village Giumaglio is one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the valley with another waterfall ‘Cascata Pozzi di Giumaglio - Cascata Pozz Froda”. I park the car along the road and after a few minutes we have already found a beautiful spot, on a large rock, in the shade. What I find so nice and beautiful about this swimming spot/waterfall is that you can also jump from a large boulder (4-6 meters high) and that you can climb to the next level of the waterfall with a small swimming pool. At the bottom the river goes under a large boulder, also a beautiful spot to explore and take pictures. I get bored quickly and in this way I stay busy. And so we spend a few hours enjoying, swimming, taking pictures and watching people.
Towards the end of the afternoon we go back to our studio and decide to go and see the rainbow at ‘cascata de Salto’. Lovely to relax for a while at the end of the afternoon, take a dip and then make dinner. A super wonderful day!
Visited Waterfalls
Day 7 – Varese region (Italy)
It is always nice to explore a different area. This time I choose to drive via the east side of Lago Maggiore to Luino and visit three waterfalls inland. I can't find much about it so it will be a challenge/surprise.
The first waterfall is 'Cascate della Froda' near Sant Antonio. On the map I found where the trailhead of the walk is and there are a few spots along the road. Fortunately it is quiet and within 25 minutes I walk to the waterfall. It is high but there is little water coming out of the waterfall. A bit of a disappointment, even though the area is quite beautiful.
There is even less to find about the second waterfall (cascata del Pesegh in Brinzio), but here too I see a trailhead on Google maps. Parking is not possible along the road and I put it in the grass at a house along the road. Not ideal, but so easy. The path is quite dilapidated and you can see that it is no longer a real tourist spot (but it was). Via a viewpoint and a ruin of a few houses I walk over a collapsed path to the bottom of the waterfall. I am lucky, there is quite a bit of water in the waterfall and the sun just comes through the trees and I take some beautiful pictures.
The third waterfall is the highlight of the day, ‘cascata Fermona’ in Ferrera del Varese. A short walk first takes me to a small waterfall after which I walk a bit further and descend to the beautiful ‘cascata Fermona’. I am not the only one and many people are enjoying the sun and the view. Too bad I didn’t bring my water shoes. Walking barefoot at a waterfall with pebbles and stones is not a good idea, ouch. But I am glad that I walked all the way to the bottom of the waterfall. A popular place for beautiful photos.
I left early and am now back home quite early. Yes, there is still time to end the day at ‘cascata del Salto’.
Visited Waterfalls
Day 8 – Lugano and a relaxing day
We want to do something different and drive to Lugano. I don’t have much to say about that. Quite simply, because I didn’t really like Lugano… On the way back we stop at Ponte Brolla (ValleMaggia). A beautiful place to walk and enjoy the river and the rock formations. There is even a small waterfall. That was quite a treat.
The rest of the afternoon we are again at ‘Pozzi di Giumaglio’, near Maggia. This time there is a small group of people canyoning. I am jealous, I would like to do that too, but unfortunately due to a worn out shoulder I don’t know if I can still do this.
Day 9 – Maggia > Milan
After a short drive we arrive at our beautiful apartment ‘Meneghino‘ in Milan. Michelle gives us a warm welcome and we immediately feel at home. Milan is a big city and we limit ourselves to the inner ring. In order to see as much as possible, we take Lime bikes this time. The scooter is not recommended to us because of the bad road surface and it is really bad… We take it easy and explore the area around the Cathedral and end the day at a nice pizzeria around the corner from us ‘Pizzium’. Finally, an affordable meal out again. The pizzas in Italy only cost half of those in Switzerland!
Day 10/11 - Milan
It is difficult to find many highlights in Milan. Many shops and the Cathedral and its surroundings are really worth it and the highlight of Milan, but apart from that…. We come across some nice churches, many shops, many museums (we visit the Dolce and Gabbana exhibition) and we go to Naviglio Grande. The last day we went looking for street art in the Isola district (very beautiful) and we eat the best ice cream in Milan at Artico Gelateria (highly recommended). But that was it.
Maybe not entirely fair, because a visit to the Milan Cathedral is something you should not miss. Tickets are affordable and when you are on the Cathedral it is very beautiful. I have to say that I find the inside a bit disappointing.
The food in Milan is great and very affordable. The last evening we eat freshly made pasta at a very small pasta bar 'PLIN', but you don't eat pasta like that at home in the Netherlands, delicious.
Day 12 - Milan > Achensee (Austria)
It is still a 6-hour drive to Achensee, but we are in no hurry and arrive relaxed at our beautiful apartment in Achenkirck 'Sunshine'. Beautifully large, centrally located and affordable.
I am bored and I decide to visit two waterfalls that are within walking distance of our apartment: ‘Stod wasserfall’ and the ‘Kranz wasserfall’. Both very easy to reach, both very beautiful and worth visiting.
On the first evening we decide to cook for ourselves again and enjoy the peace and the healthy mountain air. That is something I miss at home.
Visited Waterfalls
Day 13 – Wolfsklamm (Stans)
We take it easy today and visit the beautiful Wolfsklammschlucht, a little further on in Stans. Finding a parking spot is still a challenge. There are no really good signposts, but after 10 minutes of driving around we accidentally end up at a parking spot at the school. After a few minutes we arrive at the entrance where you have to pay an entrance fee, but the price of €6 is reasonable.
The beginning is a bit ordinary, but soon you reach the gorge where the river tries to find its way down through a narrow opening in the mountains. The further you go, the more beautiful the rock formations and waterfalls become. At the end you are rewarded with the highest waterfall. A beautiful easy walk, although a break at the end is wonderful. We decide to have lunch at the river. We are not the only ones, but that is also nice. In the distance you can see the church of the Georgenberg high on the hill. Beautiful to see.
We decide to take the left route down because it is the shortest and has a lot of shade. It is getting warmer and warmer.
The rest of the day we relax a bit at our cottage, do some shopping and go for a swim in the Achensee. The water is cold but refreshing. We end the day with a delicious dinner at restaurant Fischerwirt (highly recommended!).
Visited Waterfalls
Day 14 – Zillertal
The day starts with my low point of the holiday: I decide to visit waterfalls in the Zillertal and at the first waterfall I leave the car key in the trunk. Stupid stupid stupid. Luckily there is a spare key in our apartment and the neighbor there comes with my wife to bring the spare key. But I don't feel happy about it. In addition, I can't see the first waterfall 'Schliterer wasserfall' completely and I don't have time to figure out what to do. Definitely not a good start to the day.
The next three waterfalls are all close to each other and are easy to walk to. The road goes uphill every time and in this hot weather I sweat a lot.
The ‘Talbachfall’ in Laimach is the first waterfall I visit. Beautiful to see, beautiful in the sun and photogenic. This is starting to look more like it and a small smile appears on my face again.
I take the car to the next waterfall, although you could also walk up it, the ‘Laimacher wasserfall’. A high waterfall that falls down over several levels. Due to the many vegetation the waterfall is difficult to see, but it is still possible.
The third waterfall is a little further on, the ‘Keilkeller wasserfall’ in Schwendau. I arrive at a new parking lot via a narrow road. The river looks impressive and when I follow the path I arrive at the most beautiful waterfall of the day. You walk over small forest paths and after you turn the corner at the end you see the impressive ‘Keilkeller wasserfall’. On the bench I first have a drink, take lots of photos and in 1 minute I walk to the bottom of the waterfall. Always fun and refreshing to do. A little further on there is another beautiful view over the valley. Yes, this really is the most beautiful waterfall in the Zillertal.
Even though I am exhausted now, I really want to go to the Stillup Stausee because several waterfalls fall there. You must pay €10 to go there and the road from Mayrhofen is exciting and narrow, the view is the most beautiful of the holiday. The first waterfall thunders down from more than 100 meters at the restaurant. A little further on at Stillup Stausee you can see the second and on the other side of the water the third. A nice end to the day. I don't feel like walking and exploring anymore and I decide to drive home to end the day with a swim.
Visited Waterfalls
Day 15 – Pertisau & Achenkirch
On the last day of our holiday, we decide to take it easy. A bit of a stroll along the water in Pertisau, a bit of a swim in the Achensee and end the day with a meal at the restaurant ‘Scholastika’. It is a bit strange that the English menu on the website shows different dishes than the menu when we arrive. That does spoil the fun a bit, but they do have the most beautiful terrace of the holiday. The first rain of the day falls and between the showers we arrive at our apartment just dry. Still some time to pack and then get up early for a long journey home.
Day 16 – Achenkirch > Netherlands
A busy day with a lot of traffic on the road. We cover the 900 kilometres in 10.5 hours and I drove quite fast on some parts in Germany. We arrive home around dinner time. Time to order Thai food and go to bed on time. End of our holiday.