The force of water in As Rías Baixas
The province of Pontevedra is full of magical spots where nature shows all its strength. We invite you to enjoy an unforgettable journey through the impressive waterfalls of As Rías Baixas that are surrounded by groups of centennial mills, amazing rock formations and high slopes in the middle of extraordinary native forest landscapes.
This is an invitation to get away from the daily noise and connect with the most genuine side of this land. Get inspired by these hidden waterfalls surrounded by exuberant vegetation. They show the most untamed and beautiful side of Galician nature, especially in autumn and in winter due to high river flows.
There are no two waterfalls exactly alike. Throughout the whole province of Pontevedra, you can find very different waterfalls. Sometimes water falls down gently, capricious, dodging the rocks; at other times water cascades powerfully and admirably in torrents from a height of over 30 metres. But all of them represent an appealing visual and sound spectacle.
Take note of the most beautiful and evocative waterfalls of As Rías Baixas so you can plan your next getaway:
Parque da Natureza do Río Barosa (Nature Park of Barosa River, in the town of Barro)
In the town of Barro we find this fantastic park with a magnificent waterfall surrounded by a group of 17 mills. At the bottom of this 30-metre waterfall, there is an attractive recreational area. This charming spot is accessible by the N-550 national road. The Parque Natural do Río Barosa includes a hiking route perfect to get to know the mills of Barosa River’s bed. This route goes up and down on both river banks, offering you a side view of the waterfall. Moreover, this place is part of the Portuguese Way to Compostela.
Cascade in A Fírveda (A Lama)
In the small village of A Fírveda, at the bottom of O Cando mountain range, the Verdugo River creates a beautiful cascade, being about 15 metres high and surrounded by large rocks. This cascade can be reached by following a narrow path departing from the village's fountain. Moreover, the waterfall is well signposted on the roads PO-241 and PO-240. Here the river flows surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Nature is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the municipality of A Lama.
Fervenza do Toxa (Waterfall of O Toxa, in the town of Silleda)
This is undoubtedly the most stunning waterfall in the province of Pontevedra. It will take you to the northern part of As Rías Baixas, to the town of Silleda, just before the Toxa River flows into the Deza River. This waterfall, with a height of over 30 metres, is the highest in Galicia. Here, in this area, there is also a viewpoint where you can admire the waterfall and the hill surrounding it. This natural area is part of the Natura 2000 Network given its landscape value.
Fervenza de Escuadro (Waterfall of Escuadro, in the town of Silleda)
Also in the town of Silleda, you find the waterfall of Férveda, which also belongs to Toxa River's bed. This waterfall is protected by a remarkable native forest. This place, with a high landscape value, is part of Brañas de Xestoso, which is a protected area included in the Natura 2000 Network. There is an 8 km hiking route departing from the parish of Escuadro that allows you to discover this extraordinary area, also surrounded by several mills.
Fervenza de Segade (Waterfall of Segade, in the town of Caldas de Reis)
This waterfall is part of a well-known hiking route, called Ruta da Auga (Water Route), which starts next to carballeira (oak grove) of the town of Caldas de Reis. If you exit from this town and head towards the town of A Estrada, you will find this waterfall. Actually, it is composed of several waterfalls and here water falls down into a puddle where you can go for a swim. You can also go for a walk and enjoy one of the jewels of the industrial heritage of As Rías Baixas: the old hydroelectric power plant that was shut down in the 50's.
Fervenzas de Casariños and Coto Grande (Waterfalls of Casariños and Coto Grande, in the village of Fornelos de Montes)
Not far from the coastal inlet Ría de Vigo, arriving in the village of Fornelos de Montes, we can dive into the refreshing water of these waterfalls. In the parish of A Laxe we find the waterfalls of Casariños and Coto Grande, a beautiful and almost unknown spot accessible from PO-9303 road. These two waterfalls are at a distance of just 1 km away, which creates a pleasant walk between them.
Fervenza de Segade (Waterfall of Segade, in the town of Caldas de Reis)
This waterfall is part of a well-known hiking route, called Ruta da Auga (Water Route), which starts next to carballeira (oak grove) of the town of Caldas de Reis. If you exit from this town and head towards the town of A Estrada, you will find this waterfall. Actually, it is composed of several waterfalls and here water falls down into a puddle where you can go for a swim. You can also go for a walk and enjoy one of the jewels of the industrial heritage of As Rías Baixas: the old hydroelectric power plant that was shut down in the 50's.
Fervenza Poza da Moura (Waterfall Poza de Moura, in the town of Moaña)
This is a small water reservoir located in the course of the Muíños River course, in the town of Moaña, that has attractive views of Ría de Vigo and Rande Bridge. Here the water falls rapidly from a height of 500 metres. This waterfall can be seen from different places, including the highway of O Morrazo. The old restored mills and its puddle are one of the main attractions of this beautiful place. The name of this waterfall evokes a tragic love legend and the rumour has it that at Saint John’s Eve it is possible to see a moura (moor woman) wandering the area.
Fervenzas de Raxoi and Pedrafita (Waterfalls of Raxoi and Pedrafita, in the town of Valga)
The next waterfall will take you to the town of Valga and to the river that has the same name. In order to reach the waterfalls, you have to take a detour from the N-550 national road until you arrive in the area of Raxoi. Once there, you can take a nice walk along the green paths that lead you to the waterfalls. On your way, you can visit several mills known as Os Muíños de Parafita.
Caldeiras de Parrelos (In the village of Covelo)
This waterfall gushes from the Tea River and is hidden in a rocky area with a rich nature, included in the Natura 2000 Network. It belongs to the village of Covelo, more specifically to the place of Prado. Recently, a route, reachable by foot, has been opened and called Camiño das Estrelas (Star Road). This route crosses the mill of Longo, the oak grove Carballeira do Rei and Abuiña Bridge, among other interesting spots. This is an 8 km-linear route. It takes around three hours to be completed.
Fervenza do Oitavén (Waterfall of Oitavén, in the village of A Lama)
In the region of Pontevedra, we can find this waterfall located in the natural area of the mountain range Serra do Suído. Xesta River falls down dozens of metres until it meets Parada River. Both rivers follow their course under the name of Oitavén River. Three kilometres after the village of Antas, departing from A Lama, you will find a crossroads where the way to the waterfall is signposted for the first time. You have to turn right and, after 2 km, you will see another sign showing the way.
Fervenzas das Laxes de Rebón (Waterfalls of As Laxes de Rebón, in the town of Moraña)
This time we travel to Gundeiro River, in the town of Moaña, to visit a natural area that is even more hidden than the previous ones. There are no signs indicating the way, but you can easily arrive from A Fontaíña, a village where you can start your walk. Besides the waterfalls, the village offers other interesting natural resources, such as the mills of As Laxes, the mill of Arcea, several oak groves and the viewpoints of Cerdeiras and of the hills Acibal, Ardegán and Castelo.
