Please sign in to post.

Saturnia natural hot springs- access question

We are planning to visit the Cascate del Molino this fall. I will be approaching from the road with my cane and assistance from my husband. Will I be able to get into the pools? Thank you.

Posted by
434 posts

Are you talking about the resort that has hot springs and charges for the use, or the free Cascate del Molino? The resort may be better for mobility challenges. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to the free hot springs and I don’t remember it being a problem to get to the water, but I don’t recall any assistance rails to get into the water. The “floor” of the springs can be a bit slippery. Moving around by swimming is better but the springs were in levels and moving from one to the other, which requires walking, might be an issue.

I was there in 2017 so things may have changed but maybe clarify if you meant the free springs or if you’re also interested in the resort, that would help.

Posted by
15829 posts

I’ve been there several times including a month ago.

The Parking lot at the Cascate del Molino is almost 1/4 of a mile walk to the pools. The walk is largely flat, but one can also drop off a passenger closer then go back to park after dropping off a person.

Some pools are reachable without trouble even by a person who has some light mobility issues. Others are too treacherous even for a fully able person. Coming from the bars (where also restrooms and showers are) you can walk straight into the water and stay in one of those pools where the driveway ends. The pools are sort of terraced, and many require some little climbing or walking on the cliffs to access. I wouldn’t try to enter those unless you are a fully able person. Be aware that the rocks and terraces’ walls which look like cliffs are SUPER SLIPPERY from that sulphur slime formations. Make sure you place your foot exclusively on the ground where you see gravel under the water, not on the big rock formations which are more slippery than ice.

Access to the Cascate del Molino is free of charge, but you have to pay for parking if you have a car (pay at the machine and place the receipt on the dashboard). The pay park machine accepts cards.

The thermal spa mentioned above by Miuccia is a spa hotel resort a couple of miles from the Molino. For that one you have to pay to use. I’ve not been there since many years ago. There are several pools, swimming pools, massage service, mud baths etc. I don’t remember how much they cost now. I had a discount through the hotel where I was staying but went only to the free ones at the Molino (Molino means Watermill in Italian).

Posted by
2085 posts

Thank you all for your good information. We are hoping to go to the free hot springs. We’ve never been to the fee spa. I’m sure that would be safer, but I really want to experience the waterfall cascade, even if I can’t go very far.

Posted by
8439 posts

We did this long long ago -- like 25 years ago and I still remember it as one of the most wonderful experiences in travel -- sitting in that terraced pool looking out over the countryside. Stank for days even after many showers -- that sulfur sticks LOL
No parking lot back in the day; sounds like it is more civilized now.