Short open canyon with beautiful, crystal-clear pools and small waterfalls. Opportunities for jumps and tobogas. All set within the magnificent natural surroundings of the upper Val Sorba forest.

Short open canyon with beautiful, crystal-clear pools and small waterfalls. Opportunities for jumps and tobogas. All set within the magnificent natural surroundings of the upper Val Sorba forest.

From the Valsesia provincial road, after Piode, turn left toward Rassa. Reach the village and park in the last parking lot on the left, where a concrete road begins.

Follow the uphill concrete road leading into the upper Val Sorba, following the signs for Ristorante Heidi. When the concrete road ends, continue along the beautiful mule track (CAI trail 251/51). You’ll first reach the mountain pasture with the restaurant, then Alpe Sorba. Continue straight, ignoring the bridge on the left, and stay in the valley bottom. At one point, the trail runs along a cliff (there’s a railing); at the bottom, you can see a large pool with a waterfall. Continue climbing until you find another bridge on the left — from here you can admire two waterfalls of the canyon. Ignore the bridge, and continue until you meet a dirt road; follow it until a ford over the Sorba stream, where the descent begins. (Total: 1 hour 20 min.)

You’ll immediately find the first pool suitable for jumping, followed by a 4 m toboggan. After a 5-minute walk, you reach the first C15, then another nice 5 m toboggan leads into the continuous section of the canyon. Soon after: C10 right, C14 left, 3 m toboggan, C24 right, C22 right (tree — warning! in the gully there’s a boulder creating a siphon in the small pool, the rope can get stuck underneath) + C10 left, C14 left, leading to the large final pool. The last waterfall can also be jumped.

Once you finish the canyon, after the last “lake,” the walls open up and the stream flattens out. Exit on the left through the woods, rejoining the approach trail; descend back to Rassa. (40 min.) It’s advisable to bring a change of clothes in a waterproof barrel, to put on after exiting the canyon for the fairly long return hike. (Alternatively, use a dry suit.)