In Galicia, there are many waterfalls, here called fervenzas. The best time to discover them is in autumn or winter, after good rains, to see them foaming, in all their splendor. Let’s go for a walk in search of fervenzas!
Fervenza route of Mazaricos. In this walk there are no less than five fervenzas. It begins by going to Vioxo-Chacín, which brings water from the Rego do Casteliño. Later, past the chapel of Santa Leocadia, we find the Fervenza de Santa Locaia, where the Pozo das Camás is located, a ravine produced by the Vao da Doneciña river. According to legend, the origin of the well has to do with two thieves who, escaping after having stolen the bell from the chapel, slipped and fell there, sinking the ground. It is followed by the Fervenza de Gosolfre, with a lot of vegetation and difficult access. Then, that of Noveira, which falls in a very artistic way through the granite rocks from the Arcos river to the Ézaro, ending in several pools. The last one is that of Fírvado, where the Xende river and the Rego do Ribeiro join. Here is O Pozo Negro, where it is said that for San Juan, before dawn, a gold one comes out of the water. In front of the waterfall we can get on a rustic swing and swing on top of the river.
Augacaída-Castro Marce route. It is one of the many routes of the Ribeira Sacra, in the municipality of Pantón. The walk begins on the road that goes to Marce. From there we go down a path between trees that goes to the castro (celtic hill fort). On the way there is a detour to get closer to the waterfall. It is formed by the Aguianza stream. It is very high, it has a 40 m drop. There is a walkway and stairs to save the descent to the waterfall, which is very steep (here even the fervenzas are heroic). Following the route, we take the opportunity to go to the castro de Marce, which is in a wonderful natural viewpoint.
Fervenza do Rexedoiro route. It is circular. It begins and ends in the Campo da Feira de Bembibre, parish of O Val do Dubra, in the Santiago region. It goes to the right of the river Dubra to Ínsua de Santa Mariña de San Román and returns. On the way there is a detour towards the bed of the Rego do Portonabo, a tributary of the Dubra, between alders and oaks, which forms a waterfall in two sections, more than 10 m high. It is also known as Fervenza de Ínsua-Gontar, because it is between the two parishes.
Fervenzas de Toques. The municipality of Toques is the one with the most territory in the Rede Natura 2000, which guarantees many paths and many routes. One of them runs parallel to the Furelos River, leaving the recreational area of the river, towards the Serra do Careón. Between chestnut trees, we arrive at the so-called Muíño da Fervenza (Waterfall Mill), for some reason… The water jumps practically attached to it, on a rock wall, about 20 m high. They make a peculiar set. The route continues through the mountains until it returns to the Furelos river. It is also known as the Fervenza das Brañas.
Fervenzas das Hortas to the Lañas river route. It begins at the mouth of the Lañas River and goes along the right bank of the Ulla. The road leads to Fervenza de Rosende and, after several mills, reservoirs, and even petroglyphs, such as the one at Pena Furada in Os Chaos, towards the end, in a derivation, we arrive at Fervenza das Hortas, also called Santa Marta. A great jump of the Saimes river from about 30 m high. Legend says that Santa Marta saved a pregnant young woman from death, pushed by her boyfriend from the top of the waterfall.
Zas water route. In the parish of Gándara, in Zas, the water runs down steps, with a force that many mills take advantage of. The route goes along riverside paths, between oaks, alders, mills, granaries, there are even beehives, a fulling mill, a castro and… waterfalls. The circular route begins at Ponte do Sisto. In Budián we find the first waterfall, with the famous bank (“aperta, enxebre, orballo, bico, quérote… Galiza fascinates, or Galego namora.”). The second waterfall is that of O Pozo do Muíño or Parga. It is said that here we can hear the laments of a young woman calling her lover on full moon nights. The last one is the fervenza do Rabiñoso. If in the one in Budián we had a place to sit, in this one we have a swing.
Deza Path. This road is between the municipalities of Silleda and Vila de Cruces, in the Deza region. It starts at Aa Bandeira. The first stop is the famous fervenza do Toxa, very vertical, with a jump of more than 70 m. It can be observed calmly from viewpoints above and below. We go down to the foot of the waterfall and follow the O Toxa to its mouth in the Deza. After crossing the river and reaching Portela, we follow the path of the river and find the medieval road that goes by the Ponte do Demo and leads to the Carboeiro Monastery, founded in the 10th century, a transitional Romanesque jewel.
Fervenza and viewpoint of Ézaro. We are in Santa Uxía de Ézaro, in the municipality of Dumbría, Costa da Morte. The route begins with a tour of the mills along the course of the Rosa River, among which the reconstructed Louredo mill stands out. Towards the coast, it goes along the promenade and the mouth of the Xallas river, also called Ézaro, which, just when it reaches the sea, does so with a strong waterfall, 40 m high. There are walkways throughout the area to comfortably enjoy the phenomenon. From June to September, on certain dates, we can live the “magical nights”, with the waterfall full of light and color. A detour from the route takes us to the viewpoint, from where we have a perfect view of Santa Uxía, O Pindo, the mouth of the Xallas, the Lobeiras islands and Cape Fisterra in the distance.
