The 70-metre-high Comelle waterfall is situated in the narrow Val di Gares, and is formed by the  Liera Torrent or Comelle brook. The narrowing of the Comelle valley forces the torrent into a narrow ravine, as a result of which the water emerges at the other end in a violent spray. Along the steep uphill path you can see a 20-metre-high secondary leap, called cascata piccola (little waterfall) or cascata de mez (middle waterfall). The Gares also boasts a wealth of mining sites that remained in operation, albeit on and off, for four centuries (from the mid-14th century until the end of the 18th century) and that have recently been brought to light thanks to the research carried out by local enthusiasts. The various German place names in the area testify to the mining, iron working and copper working activity carried out in these sites (smelting furnaces at Forn, le Fusine, the openings to the mines at Cesurette and Sass Negher), which were exploited by the Republic of Venice and by the Remondini family of Bassano.

From Belluno, follow la SR203 Agordina; at Cencenighe, after the bridge over the Biois torrent, follow the SP346 on the left towards the S. Pellegrino-Falcade pass. At the fork for the village of Canale d’Agordo, turn left, following the tourist signs for the Gares valley. The road continues along the flow of the Liera to Gares, where the CAI path no. 704 will soon take you to the foot of the falls.

ACCESSIBLE: yes
MUNICIPALITY: Canale d’Agordo
PLACE: Head of the Garès Valley
GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES: X 1721124 - Y 5131727
PROVINCE: Belluno

FILE COMPILED BY: Nicoletti/Abordi

In the Molino neighbourhood of nearby Falcade is the house and study of the contemporary artist Augusto Murer (123 CA), built in 1970 by the architect Giuseppe Davanzo, taking into consideration the exhibition space that would be required, and thus the light, as well as how to arrange and display the artist’s works to best effect. The design of the building was conditioned by the complex form of the landscape, and by Murer’s desire not to perceive the immensity and allure of the surrounding alpine scenery, which he felt intimidated him and inhibited his creativity.  

D. Dalla Giacoma, D. Fiocco, Le miniere in Valle del Biois, 2007
Census of the minor nature areas in the Veneto region, ARPAV 2003
G. Fontanive, Escursioni in Alto Agordino, 1996
PTRC, Veneto Region;
Formulario Standard IT3230043 Pale di San Martino–Focobon–Pape–San Lucano–Agner– Croda Grande
Piano d'area delle valli del Biois e di Gares