Exploring the Elsa Trail and Diborrato Waterfall in Tuscany

About Elsa Trail (Sentierelsa)

We first visited Sentierelsa back in 2021, when we were on holiday with friends, and looking for somewhere to escape the summer heat. And, wow, this spot did not disappoint. The color of the water is unbelievable, and certainly not something we expected to find in Tuscany.

You follow a beautiful walking path that follows the river for a few kilometers before reaching a stunning waterfall.

• Start point: Spugna Bridge (Ponte di Spugna), which is located in the village of Colle di Val d’Elsa
• End point: Diborrato waterfall and the San Marziale bridge
• Length: Around 2.5 Kilometers each way. It took us around 2 hours to walk there and back (not including time spent swimming and relaxing)
• Characteristics: Small stone-step river crossings, wooden bridges, small waterfalls, and a very pleasant natural shade from the trees
• Facilities: It’s a remote nature spot, so you won’t find any toilets or changing rooms at the Elsa Trail

We recommend spending an hour or so at the end of the Elsa trail to enjoy the waterfall. We spent an entire afternoon there, which was absolute bliss!

The trail along the river with silky blue waters really reminded us of the Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang, Laos. 

Diborrato Waterfall, Tuscany

Close to the end of the Elsa Trail, you are rewarded with a powerful 15-meter-high waterfall. We loved the refreshing blue water: the perfect spot for a swim after 40 minutes of hiking.

Tip: When swimming into the river, watch out for large, slightly submerged boulders. We had a couple of near misses!

You can view the waterfall from the top viewpoint. However, we think a much more fun option is to get into the river at the foot of the waterfall and swim around the corner to view it from below. 

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There’s also a large rock you can climb on top of and relax with the sound of crushing water. 

If you’re a true daredevil, it is possible to jump from the top of the waterfall, but we do recommend observing locals on how and where to jump. 

Hiking the Elsa Trail & Diborrato Waterfall

The Elsa Trail, which leads to the Diborrato Waterfall, has two entry points:

• Spugna Bridge (this is where we started), which has a beautiful walk ending at the waterfall
• San Marziale Bridge. This is the best spot to start if you have little time or only want to visit the Diborrato Waterfall, as it’s located right next to the bridge.

On both bridges, there is a path indicated with signs leading to the path of the Elsa Trail (Sentierelsa).

Remember: The trail is 2.5 kilometers one-way, with scenic bridges and river crossings. We spent half a day at this site, which was the perfect amount of time.

How to Visit the Elsa Trail

The Elsa Trail is 30 minutes from Siena and can be best reached by car or the local bus. Take bus 130 or 131 from the center of Siena.

Parking

At both bridges, there is plenty of free parking on nearby streets; however, do make sure there are no blue lines on the street, as blue lines indicate paid parking.

If you’re starting from San Marziale Bridge (closest to the falls), you can also use the paid parking lot here.

Local Bus

If you don’t feel like making a return trip when hiking, take the local bus back from one bridge to the other. Check Google Maps for the exact bus times. Buses 135, 201, and 202 all pass the bridges.

Best Time to Visit

We visited the trail with friends to escape Tuscany’s summer heat, and it was the best decision! There’s lots of natural shade, and it is accessible year-round. We visited on a weekday, so it was really quiet, but on weekends, it tends to get busier with locals who come here to relax.

What to Take

Hiking down the Elsa Trail and visiting the waterfall in Tuscany is a fantastic half-day out! You’ll need:

• Sneakers: We did the hike in normal sneakers, and it was absolutely fine! The trail can be a bit slippery in some places, but you don’t need hiking shoes.
• Environmentally-friendly sunscreen: The path is covered in natural shade from the trees, but you can still burn. Please wear a non-toxic sunscreen so that the water stays clean.
• Swimwear and water shoes: The shoes are optional but helpful for climbing rocks and entering the water more easily. Remember, there are no changing rooms at the falls.
• Mosquito spray: We totally forgot to pack this, and really regretted it. In summer, you’ll definitely need it, as there are a lot of mosquitoes close to the water.
• Plenty of water and food: There are no facilities at the Elsa Trail, and it’s nice to enjoy a picnic near the waterfall on the tables there.