Cargiago inf

Rio Cargiago, Cargiago Basso Last Update: 25.08.2026 by Daniel Sturm
Country: Italia / Italy
Region: Piemonte
Subregion: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
Town: Verbania
v4 a2 III
2h40
5min
2h30
5min
310m
200m
110m
x
35m
2x 40m
8
800m
Car optional
Rating:
★★★★★
4 (1)
Info:
★★★
2 (1)
Belay:
★★★
1 (1)
Summary:
Nice stream, featuring very beautiful narrow gorge sections.

Parts

Name
Difficulty
Approach
Tour
Return
April - October
Summary:
Nice stream, featuring very beautiful narrow gorge sections.
Access:
Lower Parking: From Verbania, continue along the lake shore towards Cannobio on the SS 34. After about 2 km (at Km 16), near a residential complex, you reach the stream exit. Park along the road. Upper Parking: Continuing along the main road, shortly after the parking area, turn left towards Susello. Continue along the road towards Cargiago. At a stop sign, turn left and park where possible near the bridge over the stream.
Approach (5 min):
From the bridge, locate the best spot to drop into the stream bed. Pay attention to private properties. An approach without a car shuttle is possible along the road, approximately 2.5 km.
Tour (2 h 30):
Only the first rappel after the entry might present some issues depending on the flow rate. However, it can be avoided with a rappel from a tree outside the main flow. Avoid in peak summer. Escape Routes: The only possibility is at the water intake. Note: this leads onto a private road, featuring a gate and a caretaker to pass to reach the valley.
Return (5 min):
After the last small jump from a weir, exit on the right to reach the road and the parking area.

Coordinates:

Canyon Start
45.948899°, 8.589292°
DMS: 45° 56" 56.04', 8° 35" 21.45'

DM: 45° 56.934", 8° 35.358"

Google Maps
Canyon End
45.942913°, 8.592968°
DMS: 45° 56" 34.49', 8° 35" 34.69'

DM: 45° 56.575", 8° 35.578"

Google Maps
Hydrology:
A water intake after the first rappels diverts almost the entire flow. The water is reinserted near the end, so at the exit you see the initial flow rate.