The Cascata La Froda waterfall is a must see for all who travel to Ticino Switzerland. It is located at the end of the Valle Verzasca valley, which you should spend at least a day exploring. The waterfall is a short journey from the charming village of Sonogno, where you can totally get lost exploring at. Cascata La Froda is easily reachable and definitely a waterfall you should visit with friends, loved ones and children!
About Cascata La Froda
This stunning waterfall is 70 meter in height and based in the Ticino canton. The waterfall is linked to the Riale Carded river, and makes up one of the many waterfalls in Ticino that you can visit easily.
This waterfall is the most popular and a well-known attraction to visit in the Valle Verzasca valley. Definitely in the top things to see in Ticino!
Where Is La Froda Waterfall?
The waterfall is located only 15-20 minutes walking from the village of Sonogno, based at 918 meters elevation.
The route from Sonogno to Cascata la Froda is an easy route, mostly flat and pathed, so its suitable for those with walking difficulties too. We did it with casual sneakers too, which was easy to walk without hiking shoes.
Along the route, if starting at the parking and bus stop of Sonogno, you pass through the village first. From there you follow the signs to “Froda” for the waterfall. You walk through the main street of the village, passing all the pretty stone houses, a restaurant and the local museum. There is also a little boutique store or two for buying local products!
Once through the village, you walk more in nature along the pathway. You can choose to walk closer to the river if you prefer too.
You will already see the waterfall directly in front of you from this point. It’s pretty huge after all! Simply follow the sound of the water until you reach the turning to the waterfall. Here you will have already an amazing view from below.
There is a pathway further on where you can cross the bridge over the river, then up to the base of the waterfall. This is very picturesque and well worth taking your time to enjoy. We personally took lots of photos along the way up!
Google Maps Location: 8QWC+R7 Sonogno
How To Get To Sonogno First?
To visit the waterfall, you first need to reach the village of Sonogno with local bus 321 from Tenero, which takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can reach Tenero easily from Locarno, Ascona, Lugano or Bellinzona with one of the SBB trains or a bus as well.
Alternatively if you want to visit by car, there is a large paid parking area at the entrance of Sonogno, as the village is car free. However keep in mind this can get full very quickly during the Summer touristic season. It is best to pay by cash at the machine, but you can also pay with the app advertised too.
For those who are local to Switzerland, you can also pay with Twint here for your parking.
Tip: If you think you’ll need parking for 2 hours, plan at least 3 or 4. The village and landscape is so lovely that you’ll want to stay longer than you think!
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
The best time to visit is early Summer for the warmer weather, but all year round is just as fun. Keep in mind that the waterfall is most powerful after the Winter, but we’ve read that even those visiting in July or August can see a powerful waterfall.
We personally first visited in May 2023 during a rainy day, and we had the best experience based on the low clouds, rainy landscape and mysterious vibes. We do however plan to go back on a sunny warm day for dipping in the water!
We have a fully-loaded, high content Ticino Guide sharing local things to see, do and explore with each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
CLICK HERE
Grotto Efra
Along the way from the village to the waterfall you will see a few local stone houses as well as the pretty Grotto Efra restaurant. We recommend stopping here, even if its just for a drink, whether before or after visiting the Cascata La Froda waterfall.
It’s a lovely little grotto, with local drinks, food and a very cosy atmosphere. Since we visited in May on a rainy day, we sat inside at one of the cute tables. But they have lots of outdoor seating for when the weather is good.
Our food was delicious, a simple green salad for me and a delicious soup for Dawid. Combined with some fresh bread.
While eating and watching the rain outside, we even spotted one of furry residents who lives here, the ginger cat!
Summary
This Ticino based waterfall is really stunning, with a large river flowing down too. So it’s very easy to visit and dip your toes in at any point in better weather.
For visiting, be prepared for the weather, since it is in the valley that it can be colder or warmer than other areas. It’s a great idea to take snacks and a drink with you if you plan to stay longer, as it’s a great place for a picnic. Else to definitely consider stopping at Grotto Efra!
There are also many hikes in the area, so consider one of these for a great day out!
For more waterfall fun in Ticino, check here!
Leave a Reply