I visited the Cascate del Serio (translation: Serio Falls) for the first time last summer. It’s not the kind of waterfall you casually come across while exploring. The falls only appear five times a year, when the dam is opened on a fixed schedule. Because it’s such a rare event, everyone wants to see it, which means heavy traffic heading into Valbondione on opening days. Not every trail in the Bergamo Alps comes with this kind of crowd. Some, like the Selvino hike, offer a much more peaceful day out – and you can even get there without a car.
So why is this waterfall so rarely visible in the first place?
Cascate del Serio is Italy’s tallest waterfall, with a drop of 315 meters across three stages. Unlike most waterfalls, they don’t flow year-round. They only come to life on specific dates, when the Barbellino dam is opened. The dam was built in the 1930s as part of a hydroelectric project, designed to regulate the flow of the Serio River while protecting the surrounding environment and managing water reserves.
The municipality announces the opening dates in advance, usually between June and October. Each release lasts about 30 minutes, during which the dry cliff face is transformed into a thundering wall of water. Thousands of visitors gather to witness it, filling the hiking trails and lookout points with quiet excitement.
This rare schedule is partly about conservation, but it also adds to the experience. The waterfalls are not always there to see. They appear only briefly, when human infrastructure and natural forces align. That fleeting quality is what makes them special. You don’t just see a waterfall. You wait for it, and that changes everything.
Getting There Just in Time
As mentioned, thousands of people head to Valbondione for these rare openings, so traffic is to be expected. We hadn’t allowed quite enough time for the drive, and by the time we arrived, parking was already tight. The municipality organizes parking for the event, but since we were among the last, we ended up at the very beginning of the village. That meant walking through the entire place just to reach the trailhead, which added more time than we had anticipated.
We followed the CAI 305 route, listed as the easiest option, but it didn’t feel all that straightforward. Maybe it was the crowd – lots of other people were also running late, and everyone was rushing to find a viewpoint. At one point, we missed a turnoff and ended up off track. That small mistake cost us more time and definitely added to the stress.
We were already hurrying downhill toward the Grandi Macigni area when a loud siren echoed through the valley. It was the signal that the dam was about to open. That sound kicked us into a full sprint. Fortunately, we arrived just in time. We found a spot among the crowd already gathered, all of us facing the cliffs with a kind of shared anticipation.
The Waterfall’s Powerful and Brief Appearance
The waterfall didn’t appear all at once. At first, there was a sudden rush of dirt, dust, and loose rocks tumbling over the edge. This initial surge was pushed out by the immense water pressure building behind the dam, clearing away anything that had collected since the last opening. Watching this raw, unfiltered power carve its own path down the cliff was strangely satisfying.
Then, almost as if on cue, the water shifted from muddy and chaotic to clear and powerful. The flow became steady and pure, spilling down the cliff face with relentless force. For the next 30 minutes, we stood completely still, absorbed in the spectacle of thousands of cubic meters of water plunging 315 meters in three dramatic drops. The sheer scale was overwhelming, and the roar of the water filled the valley with a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through the ground itself.
I hadn’t expected to be so captivated, but the combination of size, sound, and movement held everyone’s attention. Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the cascade stopped. The roar faded, the valley fell silent, and the cliff once again appeared dry and still, almost as if nothing had happened.
Looking Ahead to the Cascate del Serio Nighttime Opening
This year, I’m planning to return for one of the Cascate del Serio’s rare nighttime openings. The next one is scheduled for the 12th of July 2025, from 22:00 to 22:30. Unlike the daytime event, the waterfall is lit from below by spotlights, creating a very different mood. From what I’ve heard, it changes the whole experience. Same waterfall, but with a more mysterious energy. I can only imagine that the sound of the water becomes even more intense when it is the only thing breaking the stillness of the night.
Seeing the falls at night feels more like a one-off experience than a typical visit. This is a waterfall that does not flow most of the year, only appearing on rare, scheduled dates. Add the setting of a night hike, and it turns into something entirely different. It is not just a scenic stop, it is a short moment when nature steps into the spotlight.
We’re planning to head up earlier this time, partly to avoid the last-minute stress we experienced before, and partly to bring a simple evening picnic and enjoy the views before the show begins.
If you would like to come along, feel free to get in touch. Or, if you prefer discovering new ideas at your own pace, you can sign up for the newsletter and I’ll send updates from time to time about quiet spots and easy trails in the Bergamo Alps.
