Hidden at the far end of Val Veddasca, it is one of the most interesting canyons in the Varese Prealps. The long approach and the challenging return are rewarded by a continuous descent full of surprises. The upper section, vertical and open, is followed by an intermediate and lower section that are more aquatic and entrenched.

Hidden at the far end of Val Veddasca, it is one of the most interesting canyons in the Varese Prealps. The long approach and the challenging return are rewarded by a continuous descent full of surprises. The upper section, vertical and open, is followed by an intermediate and lower section that are more aquatic and entrenched.

Downstream access: Going up Val Veddasca, cross the Italy–Switzerland border along Via Cantonale and, just before the village of Indemini, take a road that descends to the right (Stráda da G'ésa) following the sign for the church of San Bartolomeo. After two hairpin bends, keep descending straight ahead until the end of Via I Prèd, where there are some free parking spots before the dirt road begins (46°05'40.0"N 8°49'37.4"E). Upstream access: Return to Via Cantonale and continue up Val Veddasca to Monti Idacca. Just below the village (Via Indemini) there are some free parking spaces on the right (46°06'08.4"N 8°50'34.3"E).

> Part 1: from 1410 m to 1290 m (120 m descent). Length: 200 m. From the Monti Idacca parking area, briefly continue uphill on the paved road until you find on the right the trail to Monti Sciaga and Alpe di Montoia. At the junction, keep left and climb toward Alpe di Montoia. Once on the ridge (1560 m), continue briefly toward the alpe and then descend steeply into the valley (meadow) in the direction of Alpe Vecchio (150 m descent). Upon reaching the streambed, follow the torrent until you find the first obvious waterfall (46°05′19.4″N 08°51′14.6″E). About 2 hours for 380 m of ascent and 3.5 km in length. >Part 2: from 1290 m to 960 m (330 m descent). Length: 900 m. From the Monti Idacca parking area, briefly continue uphill on the paved road until you find on the right the trail to Monti Sciaga. Follow the signs to Monti Sciaga, pass the alpine pasture, and continue up to the locality of Piancader (underground cistern). From the cistern, climb the meadow up to the first trees; on the right, a trail descends first toward the forest (Piancalunga) and then enters the valley decisively (blue and pink markers). After crossing several tributaries, you finally reach the Laveree Torrent (46°05′18.5″N 08°51′06″E). About 1h 30min for 200 m of ascent and 3.7 km in length. > Part 3: from 960 m to 780 m (180 m descent). Length: 770 m. To reach the start of Part 3, follow the directions for Part 3 until you arrive at Alpe Laveree. At the end of the meadow, climb into the forest between old huts until you intercept a flat trail. Follow the trail to the right (cairns), entering the valley and gradually gaining elevation until you reach the torrent shortly after the confluence with the Asino Torrent (46°05'13.8"N 8°50'28"E). About 1h for 140 m descent and 200 m ascent. > Part 4: from 780 m to 690 m (90 m descent). Length: 550 m. From the Indemini parking area, continue descending on the road, which is now unpaved, ignoring the first road on the right and shortly afterward finding the trail to Alpe Bolletta. Once at Alpe Bolletta, cross the bridge over the Giona and keep to the right, following the signs for Alpe Laveree and Monteviasco. Upon reaching the bridge over the Laveree, you can assess the water flow. From the bridge, continue to the huts of Alpe Laveree (46°05'24.1"N 8°50'02.4"E), where it is possible to enter in order to do only the lower section. About 30 minutes for 140 m descent.

At the beginning it is quite bouldery but still vertical; afterward it becomes briefly less interesting, but as soon as the Asino tributary joins, the gorge regains its appeal, as the pools are finally large enough for jumping, and some of the waterfalls are quite graceful in shape. > Part 1: 1 h 01- C8 (nat dx) 02- C30 (1 sx) 03- C25 (MC nat dx + 1 sx) 04- C20 (1 dx) 05- C12 (1 sx) 06- C18 (1 sx) 07- C15 (1 central) > Part 2: 3-4 h 08- C17 (MC 2 dx + 2 dx) 09- C12 (2 sx) 10- C8 (2 sx) 11- C15 (nat sx) 12- C7 (1 central) 13- C17 (2 sx) 14- C10 (1 sx) 15- C9 (1 sx) 16- C15 (2 sx) 17- C9 (2 sx) 18- C30 (2 sx) 19- C22 (MC 1 sx + 2 sx) 20- C12 (2 sx) 21- C15 (nat sx) 22- C10 (1 dx) 23- C12 (1 dx) 24- C8 (1 sx) 25- C9 (1 dx) 26- C10 (nat sx) 27- C7 (1 dx) 28- C30 (2 sx) 29- C10 (1 dx) 30- C10 (1 sx) 31- C15 (1 sx) 32- C12 (2 sx) River Asino 33- C8 (1 sx) dis > Part 3: 1-2 h 34- C6 (nat dx) 35- C8 (1 dx) 36- C20 (nat sx) 37- C15 (2 sx) 38- C8 (1 sx) 39- C25 (2 sx) 40- C10 (2 sx) 41- C20 (2 sx) 42- C20 (2 sx) 43- C12 (2 sx) 44- C15 (2 sx) > Part 4: 1 h 45- C8 (1 sx) 46- C20 (2 sx) 47- C18 (MC 1 sx + 1 sx + 2 sx) 48- C23 (1 dx) 49- C8 (1 sx) 50- C25 (MC 1sx + 2 sx) River Giona 51- C4 (1 dx)

Part 1: via the approach trail of Part 2 (1h 15’). Part 2: after the confluence with the Asino Torrent and the subsequent C8, it is possible to exit on the right (46°05'13.8"N 8°50'28"E), following in reverse the approach trail of Part 3 (cairns). About 45 min for 200 m descent and 140 m ascent. Part 3: after the last rappel, walk about 200 meters in the streambed until you reach the area near Alpe Laveree, where you can easily exit on the right bank and return along the comfortable approach trail of Part 4. About 30 minutes for 140 m ascent. Part 4: upon reaching the Giona River, descend it briefly with a downclimb and a nice jump (C4). On the right, you will then see the waterfall of the Valecc Torrent and shortly after the ruined hut of Alpe Ronco (46°05'27.5"N 8°49'45.5"E). Behind the hut, a steep trail (blue markers) climbs the steepest part of the slope and then, with some switchbacks, reaches Canora. From here, a comfortable path leads back to the cars. About 50 minutes for 200 m ascent.

At first there is rather little water, but gradually more is added and the pools also become larger, so that some can even be used for sliding or jumping. A rough indication of the water flow can be obtained by looking at the Giona River near the road bridge at Maccagno. Alternatively, along the approach path to section 2 or 3, the flow can be assessed from the Alpe Laveree bridge