Orrido di Bellano

Orrido (a very deep ravine, literally "horrid") of Bellano stems from the strength of Pioverna river, whose icy waters dug deep into the Valsassina mountains, eroding then to create an amazing gorge. The sheer power of nature and the deafening sounds of the water flow take your breath away, and you are left admiring Orrido stuck in an astonished yet respectful silence.

This natural wonder was formed 15 million years ago, with the Pioverna torrent that has drawn the sinuous lines between Taceno and Lake Como. The rift is narrow and deep, which has also defined the pace of life of Bellano on Lake Como.

The waters were exploited already in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for the processing of iron that was mined from the mines in Valsassina and later by the Cotonificio Cantoni, which in 1870 opened a plant near the Orrido. The traces of the industrial history of the territory are still evident.

Open all year, a walkway allows you to visit it and admire the curves of rock and the strength of the stream; some points, made slippery from the humidity of the place, can be dangerous: wear suitable footwear during the excursion in the Orrido di Bellano.

The route is safe, also suitable for children. Along the path, there are points of view ideal for taking pictures and capture the memory of the visit with videos. In some parts, during the flood seasons, the roar of the water is really deafening!