Tag: Piedmont

Get to know one of the most famous waterfalls in Italy! Discover the Cascate del Toce in Piedmont among fairy-tale nature, outdoor activities, food and wine.   In the far north of Piedmont there is one of the most spectacular and scenic places in Italy: the Formazza Valley (in Italian, Val Formazza). It is a nature reserve containing countless jewels, including the Cascate del Toce waterfall, also known as "La Frua", after the name of the small hamlet of Formazza where they are located. As far as waterfalls Europe is plenty of interesting places. Let's thus discover one of the best waterfalls in Italy! In 2003 these amazing waterfalls were chosen as the nineteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia. The natural waterfalls are one of the main attractions of the valley and also the perfect starting point for hiking or mountain biking in the lush nature among streams, gentian fields, pastures and picturesque mountain huts.   Does Piedmont fascinate you? Create your own tailor-made trip with Italia Delight's Local Experts!     Cascate del Toce: historical notes The waters of the thunderous Toce waterfall are those of the river Toce, once called "Tuxa". The name is thought to derive from the river Athisone, even mentioned by Plutarch in his narratives on the barbarians. The history of these famous falls goes hand in hand with that of mountaineering, which was first practised here in 1777 by the enthusiastic De Saussure. He was followed by the reverend and mountaineer Coolidge, the Swiss Studer, the mountaineering legend Cust and Riccardo Gerla, the so-called "The Apostle of Ossola".     It was, however, in 1863 that the area around the Toce Falls was also developed from a tourist point of view: a certain Giuseppe Zertanna built a hotel at the top of these major