Best waterfalls around Salcedo are located in a region known for its agricultural landscapes and historical significance within the Cotopaxi province. Salcedo serves as a base for exploring the surrounding Andean region, which features several impressive waterfalls. This guide highlights 6 waterfalls around Salcedo, offering diverse natural experiences.
Last updated: May 2, 2026
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A few hundred meters from the main road, you find yourself in a natural context that you never expected to find
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The Calvene Waterfalls Park (officially 'Franco Totaro Natural Park') is a tranquil setting that combines the natural beauty of the waterfalls and forest with several artworks and installations discovered along the easy trail. Among these, a large, stylized horse made of wood and metal stands out at the beginning. The waterfalls are arranged in a series along the valley floor: they appear very evocative, secluded, surrounded by lush vegetation, with the water cascading over the rock it has shaped and covered in a blanket of lush green moss. It's best to visit after days of heavy rainfall to find them lively and thundering; otherwise, they risk being dry. The waterfalls are easily accessible via the family-friendly trail that winds through the forest. An adventurous alternative (EE/EEA) consists of a secured path (with stirrups, ladders, and metal cables) that runs alongside them and up the stream, climbing between the rocks. The park has certainly seen better days: today (June 2024) it is somewhat abandoned, with the picnic area and swings disused; even the artwork seems neglected. Dilapidated and fascinating. https://www.facebook.com/boscodellecascatecalvene
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Among the Bassano hills, the Silàn stream rises in the hamlet of Valrovina and descends along the valley of the same name, forming here a spectacular and unexpected waterfall with jutting out and natural pools of crystalline water. The waterfall ends in an enchanting clearing, in the middle of a lush forest with impressive centuries-old chestnut trees, with enormous and twisted trunks. 'Silàn' is a Cimbrian toponym that means 'place where water flows'.
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The Valle dei Gorghi Scuri is a fascinating and narrow impluvium full of waterfalls, natural pools, whirlpools and lively waterways formed by the Valletta stream, which originates right here. As a frame, a florid and lush vegetation of ferns and moss. The path starts from the hamlet of Capo di Sopra, along a dirt road that runs along the rising gorge carved out by the stream from above, where the first water features can be glimpsed; from here you reach the upper part, the most evocative and fairy-tale-like, where you can venture off-track, as far as the water and rocks allow depending on the season. I recommend the route after the rains, even if the path can be slippery (EE), and in spring/summer, when very green and lush vegetation frames the water.
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Enchanting place where you only hear the sound of water pouring between rocks and stones...
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lovely place ... just the sound of 'water and nothing more.
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Beautiful walk immersed in nature. I recommend trekking shoes as the pavement is particularly slippery. I recommend the outing to Valrovina with a stop at Family Bread, a super good bakery bar 👍🏻
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Limited park, but really pretty! visited in autumn it is really pleasant and evocative. Perfect with children to spend half a day immersed in nature. The park is free to access. I recommend a complete change for children, there is a stream and waterfalls... they won't be able to resist! To reach it, type "Franco Totaro Natural Park" on Maps. https://www.facebook.com/parcodellacascate/
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Visitors frequently enjoy the Silan Waterfalls, known for its spectacular cascades and crystalline natural pools nestled in a lush forest. Another highly appreciated spot is Gorghi Scuri, a fascinating gorge with numerous waterfalls, natural pools, and whirlpools formed by the Valletta stream. The Small Waterfall and Wooden Bridge also offers a unique naturalistic beauty with a waterfall formed by a single smoothed stone.
Yes, both the Silan Waterfalls and the Franco Totaro Nature Park are considered family-friendly. The Franco Totaro Nature Park is particularly recommended for families with children, offering a pleasant and evocative experience immersed in nature with streams and waterfalls. The Parco delle Cascate is also a great option for families.
The waterfalls around Salcedo are often found within lush forests, featuring impressive centuries-old chestnut trees, florid vegetation of ferns and moss, and volcanic rock formations. You'll encounter dramatic gorges, serene clearings, and streams that carve unique paths through the landscape, creating natural pools and cascades.
For places like Gorghi Scuri, it's recommended to visit after rains to see the water features at their liveliest, though paths can be slippery. Spring and summer are also ideal for lush vegetation. For the Franco Totaro Nature Park, autumn is described as particularly pleasant and evocative.
Trekking shoes are highly recommended, especially for trails like those leading to Silan Waterfalls, as the pavement can be particularly slippery. If visiting parks with children, like the Franco Totaro Nature Park, a complete change of clothes for them is advisable, as they might get wet near the streams and waterfalls.
Yes, Silan Waterfalls is known for its spectacular cascades that form natural pools of crystalline water. Similarly, Gorghi Scuri features numerous natural pools and whirlpools, offering opportunities to enjoy the refreshing waters.
Beyond visiting the waterfalls, the Salcedo area offers various outdoor activities. You can explore numerous running trails, such as the 'Tour of the Mountain Huts' or 'Villa Piovene loop'. For hiking, consider routes like the 'Valle dei Mulini Historic Mill Trail' or the 'Valley of the Mills (Lusiana)'. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy routes like the 'Natural Balcony Over the Plain' or 'Gravel Bike Path'. You can find more details on these activities in the running, hiking, and cycling guides for Salcedo.
Many waterfalls are accessible via trails. For instance, the path to Gorghi Scuri starts from the hamlet of Capo di Sopra, following a dirt road along the gorge. The Franco Totaro Nature Park offers a family-friendly trail that winds through the forest to its waterfalls, with an adventurous alternative featuring secured paths and metal cables.
Visitors frequently highlight the natural beauty and immersive experience. They enjoy the unexpected cascades, crystalline pools, and the lush, often centuries-old forests that frame the waterfalls. The tranquility and the opportunity to spend time immersed in nature are also highly valued, with many appreciating the unique geological formations and the vibrant vegetation.
While the guide focuses on popular spots, the area is rich with smaller cascades and natural features. For example, the Gorghi Scuri offers opportunities to venture off-track where water and rocks allow, potentially revealing more secluded spots. The Franco Totaro Nature Park also features a series of evocative, secluded waterfalls along its valley floor.
The difficulty varies. Some trails, like the main path in Franco Totaro Nature Park, are family-friendly and easy. Others, such as the adventurous alternative in the same park or exploring off-track at Gorghi Scuri, can be more challenging, sometimes requiring caution due to slippery conditions, especially after rain.


Happy to travel a little further afield? Then browse these guides for the best waterfalls around Salcedo: