Where is Pego do Inferno, the waterfall near Tavira in the Algarve ?
The following photos of the waterfall were taken on the 28th May 2011.
Pego do Inferno (which literally means “Hells Pool”), lays approximately 7km northwest of Tavira in the eastern Algarve. This lovely waterfall is easy to get to and we list below, two very easy routes from Tavira and from São Brás. After looking at the photos, print off How to get to the waterfall near Tavira, then just pop it in your suitcase !
So what can you expect ? In the height of the season, parking can be busy - it’ll
probably be a case of, park where you can ! Walking from the car, follow the rugged
footpath taking in the views of the Asseca Valley on the way. After a short walk,
take the wooden stairs winding down, (passing a picnic area), to a lower path leading
to a footbridge. You are now standing right over the Asseca Creek which leads to
the waterfall, and is only a couple more minutes away.
You will hear the waterfall before you see it, and there will be a few more stairs before you reach the end of your walk. At the waterfall, there is not a lot of space to sunbathe, but you will probably notice that most people come here not for hours on end, but just come for that refreshing swim, and then be on their way again. You might think that it’s a lot of effort.... But after you’ve tried it, you’ll see the attraction.... it’s well worth it !
So, just 10 minutes drive from Tavira or 15 minutes from São Brás, what better way to unwind after a long day at the beach (or by the pool), than to take a short stroll to a lovely waterfall hidden away in the Asseca Valley.
Enjoy the photos...
Stairs from the path to the seating area
On the way to the waterfall, you will look across the Asseca Valley
Seating area between the flights of stairs
The Creek, from the bridge -
Paddling in the shallows of the waterfall
The waterfall...You have arrived !
Now take the plunge and have a refreshing swim.... You won’t regret it !
First view of the sunbathing area
Walk over the bridge, over the Creek
Parking for the waterfall, near Tavira
The rugged footpath
Directions to the waterfall near Tavira in the Algarve
Here we give you two ways of getting to the waterfall, the first from Tavira, the second from São Brás. Both routes can be printed from a pdf document, by clicking here, How to get to the waterfall near Tavira. Please take with you, your swimwear and a towel, as the excitement will rapidly turn into disappointment, if you have left your swimwear behind !
From Tavira....
1) On the western side of Tavira, on the N125 main road, you will find the “sail
roundabout” (a sculptured sail on the roundabout). Zero your trip counter here. As
you approach the roundabout, the second exit is sign-posted for the A22 motorway,
but you want to take the exit before, which is sign-posted St Margarida. As you take
this exit, you will see the large Police Station immediately on your right hand side.
Continue up this road.
2) At 1.2 km, you will see the sign of St Margarida. Keep going until you reach a roundabout at 2km. Take the second exit which is straight over.
3) At 2.9 km there is a sign-post to Barrancco da Nora and Pego do Inferno, (the
waterfall). Turn right here and follow the road passing under the motorway at 3.5
km, until you reach a crossroads at 5.5 km. Here you will see a sign-post for Moinhos
da Rocha, Pego do Inferno. Go straight over the crossroads.
4) At 5.8 km you will drive over a bridge and at a further 100 metres, you will reach
a T-junction. Turn right here and you will see “P” signs, indicating parking areas.
Park and follow anyone carrying a beach towel, and with a look of excitement on their
face !
From São Brás....
1) Approaching the waterfall from São Brás, we are going to use the “Intermarché supermarket roundabout” as a starting point. The supermarket lays just off the roundabout which is on the R270 main road just to the east of São Brás town. Zero your trip counter here.
2) Take the exit of the roundabout in the direction of Tavira. The road is winding
and downhill most of the way. At 8.1 km you will reach a roundabout (in St Catarina),
with olive mill-stones upon it. Take the second exit which is straight over in the
direction of Tavira.
3) At 9 km you will see on your right hand side an open piece of land used for the
local market (every 4th Sunday of the month). At 9.9 km on your left hand side you
will see Quinta Fonte Do Bispo - keep going. At 14.9 km you will see a sign on your
left, Moinho da Rocha, Pego do Inferno, (the waterfall). Take this turning.
4) At 18.1 km you will reach a crossroads where it is sign-posted for the waterfall
again. Turn left here and at 18.4 km you will drive over a bridge and at a further
100 metres, you will reach a T-junction. Turn right here and you will see “P” signs,
indicating parking areas. Park, making sure you have your swimwear, a towel.... and
a camera !
Enjoy the waterfall, near Tavira !
ATTENTION PLEASE ! due to recent fires (July 2012), the waterfall is NOT ACCESSIBLE...
Scroll to the bottom for the latest photos taken near the waterfall on 23rd February 2013
FIRE DAMAGE : The following photos of the approach to the waterfall, were taken on
Saturday the 23rd February 2013. There is now no walkway to the waterfall, and until
such time that the area is re-built, you should not attempt to visit the waterfall
under any circumstances.
There is no longer the flights of stairs leading down to the footpath
More evidence of the fire...
A charred wooden post remains
The pathway was fenced
Just about still standing
Only the steel frame of the bridge remains
We are sorry that we cannot show you the waterfall, but as you can see, it was not accessible... We shall update this page when we have any more information...