Hiking routes to discover the most spectacular waterfalls in Spain

After months of snow and rain in 2018, Spain’s rivers are once again full of flowing water and we can enjoy one of the greatest shows nature has to offer: waterfalls.

Waterfalls are so attractive not only for their awe-inspiring beauty, but also for their explosive strength and power. Plus, much of their charm lies in the fact that they’re not too easy to find, like hidden treasures, and Spain has its fair share, perfect for nature lovers and hikers to.

Below are 5 spectacular waterfalls in Spain along great hiking trails to explore. So put on your hiking boots, take plenty of drinking water with you (plus some snacks and plenty of patience!) and let’s go discover the 5 best Spanish waterfalls.

1. The Cascade of Colours – La Palma island

The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is considered the best natural offering of the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, and inside you can find the so-called ‘Cascade of colours’ (Cascada de Colores) waterfall. To get there you can leave your car in the car park at the end of the Barranco de las Angustias or take a taxi (about 50 euro) from there to the viewpoint of Los Brecitos and go down the path. On both these roads, the journey takes about 3 hours but it’s an easy walk and there’s no question of getting lost or any dangerous areas.

In spite of the long and tiring walk, it’s a fascinating hike, although it is advisable to take food, water, sunscreen and a cap even if it’s not a completely sunny day.

Once you reach the waterfall, with its ochre, orange, yellow and green colours, you’ll really feel like you’ve reached the garden of Eden.

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2. Soaso Waterfall – Huesca

The route from the valley of Ordesa to the Soaso waterfall, also known as "Cola de Caballo" or “Horses Tail”, is one of the most popular excursions in the Pyrenees. You can access the Meadow of Ordesa (Pradera de Ordesa) by car until the end of June, while in summer access is restricted to all but buses, which you can catch from Torla.

From the Meadow to the waterfall it’s about a 3-hour walk, and then another 3 hours back, but it's well worth it. This is a trail with many attractions: a couple of fir and beech forests, a forest track and two waterfalls.

Finally, you will arrive at the Soaso Waterfall, a natural space of exceptional beauty. Over the years, the Arazas River has generated, in addition to the waterfall, some natural staircases known as the Soaso Steps (Gradas de Soaso).

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3. Xiblu Waterfalls – Asturias

Inside the Natural Park of Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, in the Asturian part of the Cantabrian Mountain Range, there is a succession of waterfalls known as the Xiblu Waterfalls.

You have 2 places you can start the route: La Focella, a well preserved ethnographic site; or Puerca, where there is more parking available and from where you can reach the wonderful beech forest of Montegrande. Both routes are ideal for children as the only tricky part is at the end where it gets a bit harder, but it’s only an incline of 150 metres.

Once you arrive at the Xiblu Waterfalls, you will see that they are not the largest in Asturias, but their surroundings are so spectacular that it’s well worth your while taking a trip up there.

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4. Chorro Grande – Segovia

The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park covers a large part of the north of Madrid and even some towns in Segovia. To get to the Chorro Grande falls, you have to park the car in San Ildefonso, actually in an urbanización housing estate called Caserío de Urgel.

From there, a very simple route begins, perfect for going on with children. It is quite a busy route but it isn’t signposted and some of the forks in the road aren’t very obvious, so ask other hikers along the way if you’re in any doubt.

After walking along a path that runs through pines and oaks you find an enormous 100-metre waterfall which splits a rock wall in two. As impressive as it is to see the waterfalls from below, it’s also worth climbing to the top for the views from there.

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5. Pitarque Waterfall – Teruel

The region of Maestrazgo, in its part in Teruel, hides a gem of a waterfall which serves as the source of a river: the Waterfall of the Pitarque river. From the centre of the village with the same name as the waterfall, there is a route of about 3 miles with a very gentle slope. The waterfall is best enjoyed with some level of solitude, but you'll have to get up a little early to avoid the crowds.

You’ll be struck by the beauty of the trail with several pools to be found, perfect for a quick mountain dip. Be careful, though, because the water is very cold – only for the brave! As you get closer, follow the sound of rushing water to find your way. When you arrive you’ll find a real jewel of nature, an unspoiled paradise where it seems that the touch of mankind has not yet reached, where the water flows from the stones with a great and ancient force – a sight to behold!

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