Stanghe Falls - Gilfenklamm

Walking in the nature of the Ratchings Valley, surrounded by majestic secular trees, the sounds of the forest and the singing water. Is there a better way to relax than enjoying and admiring the marvels of nature?

Travelling time: 1 hour and a half
Difficulty: Family
Why we love it: For its magical atmosphere: we can hear the water singing below us, we are surrounded by sky-high rocks and trees and we can breathe the purest air.
Length: 5 km
Total Elevation Gain: 220 m
Way to travel: On foot
Cost: 4 €
Our Advice: Take your time and don't rush to your destination: walk slowly, listen to the sounds of the wood and admire the nature all around you.

Map: itinerary to discover the Stanghe Falls

The path that goes to the falls is suitable also for families with children. You just have to walk for an hour and a half, from the small village of Stanghe, in the Municipality of Ratschings (South Tyrol), and then into the woods.

Path in the woods to the Stanghe Falls, photo by S. Ombellini

The majestic forest of secular trees will enchant you, your steps will echo in the silence and the air you breathe will become cleaner and purer.

The ancient "Calcara"

The "Calcara" on the path to the Cascate di Stanghe, photo by S. Ombellini

On our way we find a "Calcara", an ancient furnace used to cook whitewash.

In fact, up to the 20th century South Tyrolean people used to cook whitewash, which was used in constructions. The building pf furnaces like this one used to be passed down from one generation to the other.

The dome of the "Calcara" lighted up at night and attracted people, who often used to gather up to admire the show and keep company to the person responsible of the "Calcara".

The canyon of the rio Racines

Path through the canyon and the Stanghe Falls, photo by S. Ombellini

After 20 minutes in the woods, the path goes in the canyon that the rio Racines dug over centuries into the white marble of the mountains.

Down the daring path, dug in the stone at the end of the 19th century (1893-95), and through a dozen of iron and wooden catwalks, we enter in the canyon.

Between suspension bridges, canyons and waterfalls

The tight ravine was dug over 12.000 years by the passage of the water. Our path coasts alont the stone walls of the canyon, that almost seem to protect us.

Suspension bridges between the stone walls of the Stanghe Falls, photo by S. Ombellini

Long suspension bridges over the river and the waterfall allow us to go from one side to the other of the canyon, admiring from another point of view this natural marvel.

Positive effects of the Stanghe Falls

The loud noise of the water that falls down, the splashes and the foamy whirlpools keeps us company along our walk.

In this particular environment, full of the waterfalls' water vapour, grow only hydrophilic species, such as algae, mosses and ferns.

The high density of oxygen ions makes the environment particularly healthy. If in our houses there are around 100 ions per m3, near the waterfall there are more of 50.000!

A panel along the path informs us about the natural properties of this pure air full of ions: it has positive effects on the respiratory mucosa, soothing effects on the cardiovascular and the autonomic systems and it stimulates the immune system.

The "falls therapy" is particularly suitable for those who suffer from asthma and allergies.

In short, the Stanghe Falls offer us a natural aerosol. We are in a open-air spa that will help our whole body to regenerate!