How to plan a visit to the Marmore Waterfall
The Marmore Waterfall is the most famous natural attraction of Umbria and over the centuries has been visited by thousands of people from all over the world. During the nineteenth century, the Marmore Waterfall represented an unmissable stop in the Grand Tour in Italy and many writers, poets and artists decanted its extraordinary beauty. Discover, therefore, tips and information to plan a visit to the Marmore Waterfall.
The Marmore Waterfall, environment and history
The Marmore Waterfall with its total height of 165 meters is the highest artificial waterfall in the world and is another gift of the extraordinary genius of the Romans. In 271 d.C. the Roman consul Curio Dentato commissioned this work to drain the waters that stagnated in the plain around Rieti and to connect the Nera and Velino rivers. Over the centuries, the original project was modified many times and its current appearance is due to the changes made in 1787. Since then, the Marmore Waterfall is one of the most beautiful and evocative Italian natural attractions. 
The must-see places in the Marmore Waterfall park
Inside the Mamore Waterfall park, there are magical places capable of arousing unforgettable emotions. Among these slices of paradise, there is the Lover’s Balcony, a terrace set in the rock at the height of the first jump of the waterfall. Here, you are inside the waterfall and you can even touch the water! Another particularly striking place is the Specola, a small tower built in 1781 by Pope Pius VI near the upper Belvedere. In this enchanted place, it is possible to enjoy a breathtaking view on the first jump of the waterfall and, in case of particular weather conditions, you can see beautiful rainbows.
6 trails to discover the wonders of the waterfall and its park
The Marmore Waterfall is surrounded by a marvellous natural park characterized by the presence of plants that grow exclusively in this territory because of its exceptional climatic characteristics. A visit to the Marmore Waterfall is an excellent opportunity to enjoy walks along its 6 hiking trails that have different lengths and degrees of difficulty. The paths no. 1 and no. 6, for example, are the most demanding and are recommended for athletes and those who practice trekking, path no. 2 and no. 3 are suitable for children as they allow to see particularly striking natural corners. The path no. 5 has been recently built and leads to interesting examples of industrial archaeology such as the water collection tanks of the old Spoleto hydroelectric plant. The most touristic and crowded path is, instead, the no. 4 because it gives a complete view of the waterfall.
Guided tours
In order to better discover the Marmore Waterfall and all the natural beauties of its park, it is possible to book guided tours with different themes. There is, for example, a guided tour that leads to the Grotta della Condotta, so called because it hosts ancient nineteenth-century conduct that fed a system of hydroelectric power plants. Another interesting guided tour, recommended for those who practice trekking, leads along the most striking views of the trails 3-2-1-5-6 offering a complete overview of the different natural environments inside the waterfall park. Those who are fond of botany can opt for a guided tour during which the species of plants typical of this area are illustrated, while the most adventurous can discover the nocturnal landscape of the Marmore Waterfall, booking a nighttime guided tour. 
Useful information to plan the visit to the Mamore Waterfall
Discover all the main useful information to plan your visit to the Mamore Waterfall.
The release of the water
The water of the Marmore Waterfall is used to produce hydroelectric energy, therefore, its flow can vary depending on the season and the days of the week. In order to see the waterfall at full capacity and, therefore, in its maximum splendour, it is necessary to check the opening times of the water.
Opening hours
The opening hours of the Marmore Waterfall park vary according to the months of the year and the days, so before planning your visit it is necessary to check them carefully.
Ticket rates
In order to access the Marmore Waterfall and its natural park, it is necessary to pay a ticket. The full price ticket costs 10 euros, for organized groups of at least 15 people costs 7.50 euros. Children up to 4 years can visit the waterfall for free while the over 70 pay only 8 euros.
How to reach the Marmore Waterfall
The Marmore Waterfall is located in Valnerina in southern Umbria about 7 km from Terni. This marvellous natural attraction can be easily reached through the A1 Milan-Naples motorway, exiting at the Orte tollgate and following the junction to the Terni Est exit. If you want to reach the lower Belvedere, you have to follow for S.S. Valnerina in the direction of Visso-Norcia-Cascia, if you prefer to get to the upper Belvedere you need to take the S.S. 79 towards Rieti and reach the town of Marmore. The closest airport to the Marmore WaterFall is Rome Fiumicino. 