Hello beautiful people, and welcome back to another fun adventure we experienced in late April! In this post, we’re taking you along on a stunning walk in the Province of Belluno, right in the heart of the breathtaking Bellunesi Dolomites National Park.

This scenic trail begins in the charming village of San Gottardo, part of the Sospirolo area where the Cordevole Valley unfolds. Right from the start, you’ll cross a suspension bridge that sets the tone for the adventure ahead. The path then winds gently through peaceful forest stretches and sunny open spaces, eventually leading you to a beautiful ranch where horses roam freely (definitely an highlight of the walk).

But the real icing on the cake awaits at the very end of the trail: the stunning Cascata Motareze, a hidden gem that makes the entire walk unforgettable.

Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing dip in the Cordevole River, a relaxing picnic surrounded by nature (and horses!), or simply capturing some incredible photos beneath a waterfall, this easy and rewarding trail in San Gottardo has something for everyone.

How to Visit San Gottardo

Where to Park?

Depending on where you choose to begin the walk, there are 4 parking options available.

The first one (our pick) is located just before the suspension bridge known as the Passerella del Peron. It’s a relatively small parking area that accommodates both cars and motorcycles, but it fills up quickly, especially on weekends and public holidays.

A second option can be found about 250 meters before the bridge, situated behind a factory that produces window supplies. It’s not very intuitive where it’s located, but a couple of blue parking signs will help guide you there without too much trouble.

The third parking area, called Parcheggio Cordevole, is located on the opposite side of the Cordevole River. It’s a bit farther from the starting point compared to the first two options and can be reached from via Pra Vedana.

A fourth option is to park near the church of Chiesa di San Gottardo. However, we wouldn’t strongly recommend this, as it may take up spaces intended for churchgoers or local residents who need clear access to their driveways.

All of these parking areas are free of charge (white lines), and we didn’t notice any time restrictions. Do keep in mind that the third and fourth options place you directly on the “main” side of the trail, meaning you’ll skip crossing the river and miss out on walking across the suspension bridge.

Few Considerations

Before getting into the main highlights of the trail, here are a few important considerations:

The area is known for ticks, which can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. We strongly recommend using a tick repellent. We bought it at a local pharmacy and applied it to our arms and legs;
The trail is mostly bike-friendly, except for the final part leading to the waterfall. This section is narrow and has exposed roots, making it unsuitable for riding;
Similarly, strollers can be used along most of the trail, but not on the last stretch toward the waterfall;
At the horse ranch, it is strictly forbidden to feed or approach the horses too closely. This helps prevent unsafe situations and avoids issues with the rangers;
A simple but essential tip: stay on the trail and bring plenty of water. There is a fountain at the ranch, but no other drinkable water along the route.

The Trail

Depending on where you park, the total distance can vary by a few hundred meters. Using our starting point (the Passerella del Peron) as a reference, the walk from the parking area to the waterfall is about 5,7km. Since you’ll return along the same route, the total distance comes to roughly 11,4km. Overall, the trail is easy: mostly flat, with only gentle uphill sections here and there.

The hike begins by crossing a beautiful suspension bridge. Once on the other side, turn right onto a path that leads into a pleasant walk in the forest. From here on, this becomes your main trail, guiding you first to the horse ranch and then onward to the waterfall.

Soon, the narrow path merges into a wider gravel road used by the Corpo Forestale dello Stato (Italy’s forestry service) to access the ranch they manage. Although the road is suitable for vehicles, you’ll rarely encounter any traffic.

After about 2,7km, you’ll reach the horse ranch, an ideal spot to take a break, recharge, and enjoy the scenery. In front of you stretches the beautiful Prati di Salet: a vast meadow framed by dramatic mountain peaks, where horses graze freely. It’s a peaceful, scenic setting that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

Continuing along the main road, you’ll come across an abandoned hut, which marks the transition back into the forest and toward the Cordevole River. At this point, the terrain becomes rougher, with larger stones making it less suitable for strollers and bikes.

The final stretch begins on a narrower trail that climbs gently back into the woods. A wooden sign points the way to Cascata Val Motareze. After about five minutes, you’ll reach a small creek. Cross the shallow water, turn left, and then cross a small wooden bridge to arrive at the waterfall.

A quick tip from our experience: when you reach the crossroad just before the creek, don’t turn left and continue straight uphill. We made that mistake and ended up on a steeper trail that loops around to the waterfall from the other side, significantly increasing the hiking time. Once we realized the error, we went back and turned right at the crossroad to reach the falls.

After soaking in the views and capturing a few photos and videos of the falls, we backtracked along the same trail to the parking area, stopping at the ranch for a well-earned sandwich!

Conclusion

This easy, scenic walk is the kind that leaves you feeling happy and genuinely glad you gave it a try. Whether you choose to stop at the horse ranch or continue all the way to the waterfall, immersed in nature, San Gottardo and the Prati di Salet are sure to leave a lasting memory and likely tempt you to go back more than once. We’re already planning to return in the summer.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.

‘Til next time,

Priscilla