The Roar from the Heart of the Apennines: Premilcuore’s Howling Cave Waterfall

The Howling Cave in Premilcuore is a striking natural gorge carved out by the Rabbi River, overlooked by the historic Giumella’s New Bridge and surrounded by the unspoilt landscapes of the Foreste Casentinesi National Park. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to get there, what to expect from your visit, the restrictions to be aware of, and a few suggestions for combining the Howling Cave with the nearby Sega waterfall and the village of Premilcuore.

VIAGGI | TRAVELS

Rebecca P. & Raffaele F.

9/8/20266 min read

The Howling Cave in Premilcuore: how to get there and what to see nearby

Just a few kilometres from the centre of Premilcuore, in the Forlì Apennines, the Rabbi River flows through a narrow rocky gorge, creating one of the best-known natural sights in this part of Romagna: the Howling Cave in Premilcuore, home to a waterfall enclosed by sandstone walls and overlooked by the distinctive Giumella’s New Bridge.

We are within the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, in an area where the Rabbi River has shaped the rock over time, carving out cavities, gorges and natural pools.

A visit to the Howling Cave can easily be included in a day exploring Premilcuore and its surroundings. Reaching New Bridge does not necessarily require a long hike, while those who would like to walk further can combine this stop with other trails along the river and the nearby Sega waterfall.

Where is the Howling Cave Waterfall?

The Howling Cave Waterfall is located in the municipality of Premilcuore, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, along the Rabbi River. The main landmark is the hamlet of Giumella, around 3 km upstream from the village, where you will find the New Bridge, built around the 17th century along the old road to Florence.

The bridge crosses the Rabbi in a single arch spanning approximately 16 metres, directly above the gorge where the river forms the Howling Cave.

The landscape is typical of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines: dense woodland, steep slopes and a relatively narrow valley floor, crossed by both the river and the road linking Premilcuore with the surrounding mountain areas.

Despite its name, which might suggest an underground cave, the Howling Cave is actually a natural gorge. Here, the Rabbi River is channelled through a narrow gap between the rocks, tumbling over a series of drops and creating cavities and pools within the gorge.

Why is it called Howling Cave?

When the Rabbi River is carrying a substantial amount of water, its flow is forced through the narrow rocky gorge and the sound of the waterfall is amplified by the surrounding walls. This acoustic effect, particularly noticeable when the river is running high, is what gave rise to the name “Howling Cave”.

The geological structure of the gorge also contributes to the distinctive appearance of the site. Its rock formations are made up of alternating layers of harder sandstone and more fragile materials, including marl and clay-rich shale.

Over time, the continuous erosion caused by the river has worn away the softer sections, leaving behind rocky steps, recesses and cavities that are still clearly visible today.

It is this combination of flowing water and layered rock formations that makes the Howling Cave waterfall in Premilcuore so different from a classic vertical waterfall.

Giumella’s New Bridge

The waterfall is not the only reason to visit: one of the most interesting features of the site is the Giumella’s New Bridge, which crosses the river immediately above the gorge.

According to information provided by the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, the bridge dates approximately to the 17th century. The word “New”, was used to distinguish it from the earlier bridge in Scanno, which later collapsed and formed part of the historic road network crossing this area of the Apennines and connecting Romagna with Tuscany.

The bridge consists of a single large stone arch and is one of the most distinctive features of the Rabbi Valley landscape.

From a photography point of view, it is probably the most iconic subject of the entire visit: the bridge, river, woodland and gorge are all concentrated within just a few metres.

How to get to the Howling Cave

If you are wondering how to get to the Howling Cave, the best place to use as your reference point is the village of Premilcuore.

From here, follow the SP25 road towards Giumella. The New Bridge area is around three kilometres from the village, with the final stretch covered on foot.

The SP25 towards Giumella provides access to the site. You can leave your car in the small parking area nearby and continue on foot towards the bridge.

This makes the Grotta Urlante suitable even for those looking for a relatively short visit, although that does not mean you should tackle the area in unsuitable footwear. The ground near the river can be damp, muddy or slippery, particularly after rainfall.

If you have enough time, we recommend not treating the Howling Cave as a quick stop of just a few minutes. The area works particularly well as part of a longer walk along the Rabbi River or an itinerary combining Premilcuore with the Sega waterfall.

Access to the Howling Cave and swimming restrictions

This is probably the most important point to clarify: swimming and access to the riverbanks are prohibited at the Howling Cave.

In 2021, the National Park documented a sudden rockfall from the walls of the gorge, which occurred shortly after the Carabinieri Forestali had escorted several people out of the area. Following the incident, the authorities reiterated the need to keep a safe distance and comply with the specific local ordinance. A check updated in 2026 continues to confirm the ban on accessing the riverbanks and swimming.

A visit to the Howling Cave should therefore be planned as an opportunity to admire a natural attraction from the permitted viewing areas, marked by fences, signs and information provided on site, rather than as a place for swimming.

It is also important to remember that conditions in a river environment can change quickly. Before setting off, it is always advisable to check for the latest updates from the Municipality of Premilcuore and the National Park.

When to visit the Howling Cave

The Howling Cave in the Casentino Forests can be visited in several seasons, although the landscape changes considerably throughout the year.

Spring is one of the most interesting times to visit thanks to the amount of water flowing through the Rabbi and the vegetation gradually returning to the valley. Temperatures are generally pleasant enough for longer walks, although the ground can remain wet.

During summer, the area tends to be busier and the woodland provides plenty of shaded stretches.

Autumn offers a completely different atmosphere as the forest changes colour. A visit between October and November can be particularly rewarding for anyone hoping to combine waterfalls with autumn foliage.

In winter, greater attention should be paid to weather conditions, the possible presence of ice and the overall condition of the trails.

How much time should you allow for your visit?

If your main aim is to see the New Bridge and the gorge, the visit can easily be included in a half-day itinerary around Premilcuore.

Those who would like to do more walking can spend longer in the area and combine the Howling Cave and the Sega Waterfall, or set off directly from the village along one of the hiking routes running through this part of the valley.

The National Park also uses Premilcuore as a starting point for longer routes towards Monte Tiravento, the Rabbi valley floor and Giumella.

There is therefore no single way to plan your day: the Howling Cave can be a short stop on a road trip or one of several highlights along a longer hike.

What to see in Premilcuore

If you are looking for things to see in Premilcuore, it is worth spending some time exploring the village itself. Premilcuore is the only inhabited settlement in the upper Rabbi Valley and still retains a historic centre of medieval origin.

Its location, surrounded by the peaks and ridges of the Apennines, also makes it an excellent base for exploring the Romagna side of the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.

You could therefore spend a full day combining the historic centre of Premilcuore, the New Bridge and the Howling Cave, the Sega waterfall and a walk along one of the local trails.

If you are travelling from further afield, it may also be worth staying for a weekend and using the village as a base for discovering other villages and natural landscapes across the Forlì Apennines.

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