Although only visible for a portion of each year, when it is flowing, the Cascata del Toce waterfall is the second-highest in all of Europe -- 143 meters tall and 60 meters wide at its base. It is located in the Formazza valley, really just about on the border with Switzerland. 

I visited the Toce waterfall last August, on a beautiful day at the height of the season. We went by car from Stresa, which is the easiest way to reach the somewhat remote location. The drive took about one hour, first on the highway and then on smaller and smaller roads through some picturesque villages. Finally, coming around a bend, one is gifted with the first, and maybe most impressive, view of the falls. By following this road just a little more we traveled up the hill, reaching the top, where there is a large parking area. 

The water in the falls originates in an extremely pure mountain spring in Gries Pass, a pass which connects Italy with Switzerland. Since 1930, it has been used as a source of hydroelectric power. The water is collected in the man-made Lake Morasco, and, when released at certain times during the year, the flow creates this man-made assisted, but natural, wonder. The power plant is out of sight, farther down the valley from the falls. You will pass it on the road as you come and go, a massive, somewhat Romanesque-looking structure. The large building at the top of the falls is a hotel and restaurant, built in 1863 as a refuge for hikers and travelers coming through the pass. Next to this building is a small church, la Madonna della Neve, dating from 1621.

The 2012 season at Cascata del Toce begins on June 3. In 2011, the tourist office Distretto Turistico dei Laghi ran organized bus tours during the summer; if available this would be a great option for those who don't want to drive here. If you do drive, putting Cascata del Toce, Formazza into your GPS will provide you with good directions to get here.

Hours of operation in 2012: 

Opening day: Sunday, June 3: 10 AM - 4 PM

Sundays and public holidays: 10 AM - 4 PM

Weekdays from June 10 - August 9: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Weekdays from August 10 - 20: 10 AM - 4 PM

August 15 and 16: 10 AM - 6 PM

Closing day: Sunday, September 30, 10 AM - 4 PM

You'll find more about the falls and visiting this region at: valformazza.it

More places to go? Here they are

 The Cascata del Toce falls are far up in the northern corner of Italy; remote and very close to Switzerland.

photo credits: distance photos courtesy of Wikipedia and valformazza.it all other photos copyrighted property of stresa sights