The best walks and hikes around Pedemonte

It climbs the Astico stream up to Lastebasse

The sun copied the fence on the frosted road

The Villa with the Eagle

A foaming and thunderous waterfall cascades from the spring known as 'Gorgo Santo' (which can be visited a little further along, climbing the trail —> see related highlight). The small bridge actually spans two waterfalls, one upstream and one downstream. I recommend descending to the paved road below, on the border between the hamlets of Scalzeri and Longhi, for a spectacular view of the stream cascading through a series of rapid drops before flowing into the Astico River. I also recommend visiting this site after days of rain or when the snow has melted in the mountains, to see the water swollen and rushing!

the Scalzeri di Pedemonte area is located at the foot of the Luserna plateau and borders the Astico, the Gorgosanto and the Grossa valley. The mountain behind it is deeply engraved by the Riosolo, Val Longa, Pissavacca and Val Grossa streams. There are numerous paths traced by the centuries-old presence of man

Crystalline water features, waterfalls and whirlpools generated by the stream that descends between the rocks of a wild forest. The orographic left of the Val d'Astico is dotted with more or less large valleys, dug by streams that descend from the Luserna karst plateau and streak its steep southern slope, generating spectacular rapids, gorges and whirlpools. The presence or absence of water depends on rainfall or snowfall: to find a good water flow, you need to visit the place in post-rain days.

A spectacular waterfall of considerable height, created by the stream of the same name, which flows into the Astico River just downstream. From what I can find online, "Pissavàca" (also spelled "Pissavacca" and "Pisciavacca") is a fairly common place name in the Triveneto region. The left bank of the Astico Valley is dotted with valleys of varying width, carved by streams that descend from the Luserna karst plateau and cut across its steep southern slope, creating spectacular rapids, gorges, and whirlpools. The presence or absence of water depends on rainfall or snowfall: to find a good flow of water, visit on days after rain.

The Gorgo Santo is a spring that features a very rare phenomenon... Rainwater and snow water are not retained by the Luserna Plateau due to the karst composition of the terrain; instead, it flows down the valley through tortuous underground passages. Under normal conditions, it flows from the lower Gorgo Santo cave; however, in heavy rain or snow, the cave may be unable to handle the full flow, so the water is also released from the upper Gorgo Santo cave... a sort of safety valve. Pope Boniface IV (7th century) happened to pass through these parts during a trip and blessed the whirlpool: hence the name "santo." But there is another, more evocative and legendary, theory behind the name: it is said that here, Saint George defeated the Great Dragon that dwelt in the cave and dominated the valley! The presence or absence of water depends on rainfall or snowfall: to find a good flow of water, you should visit on days after it has rained; otherwise, you'll visit the whirlpool in its "dry" state.