Cascata de Cela Cavalos

Outeiro / Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres, North Region, Portugal

About Cascata de Cela Cavalos


Hiking Distance: 4.2km round-trip; 2.4km round-trip via unsigned shortcut
Suggested Time: allow about 2-3 hours

Date first visited: 2024-06-11
Date last visited: 2024-06-11

Waterfall Latitude: 41.76124
Waterfall Longitude: -7.98684

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Cascata de Cela Cavalos is more of a swimming hole, but it does feature an attractive 10m or so rounded dual-segment waterfall that’s also quite photogenic.

That said, in order to experience this, we had to go on a very unshaded upside-down hike that took us under 3 hours to complete (though we did spend over 30 minutes at the waterfall itself).

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_096_06112024 - Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata de Cela Cavalos

It seemed like this waterfall was visited primarily by Portugese-speaking visitors (we met a friendly Brazilian-Portugese couple here) as this place felt quite off the beaten tourist path.

That said, I noticed that not many non-Portugese-speaking people visit Peneda-Gerês National Park (outside of Gerês town) so it wasn’t surprising to us that we only shared this place with a handful of other people.

Our visit happened in mid-June 2024, and as you can see from the photos on this page, the waterfall had a pretty healthy flow.

However, I’ve also read that this place can dry up so like other Mediterranean climate places, it all comes down to precipitation accumulations in the Winter and Spring, and how much time has elapsed since the last significant rains.

Signed Hiking Route to Cascata de Cela Cavalos

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_012_06112024 - Context of the signed turnoff from the M308 Road leading down towards the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Context of the signed turnoff from the M308 Road leading down towards the Cascata de Cela Cavalos

Our experience started from a signed trailhead right beneath the M308 Road (see directions below) near the sleepy village of Cela.

From there, we descended along a 4wd road about 500m towards a junction by the Capela de Santa Luzia (a lone chapel in an open agricultural landscape).

During this part of the descent, I noticed some water channels indicating that they were probably diverting some of the Ribeiro de Sela Cavalos for the purposes of allowing cattle to drink or to supply water for the village of Cela.

Anyways, the path coming in from the left came from the village of Cela, which we didn’t get to explore, but it did seem like some people did this trail from that direction as well.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_025_06112024 - On the initial descent from the signed trailhead towards the Capela de Santa Luzia up ahead at around the 500m mark of our hike
On the initial descent from the signed trailhead towards the Capela de Santa Luzia up ahead at around the 500m mark of our hike

Continuing downhill past the chapel, we hiked another 1.6km in a wide open, unshaded, and quite hot (at least on our mid-June 2024 visit) road past some cow pastures while getting sweeping views of the mountainous landscape around us.

During this part of the hike, we noticed a few fountains or spigots that I believe were meant for cattle to drink.

While the basin water looked stagnant, the dripping water (if it’s flowing) were actually quite handy for putting water on the head for cooling off (especially on the return hike).

Given the length of this stretch of the downhill hike out in the open, we knew that it would be quite the tiring hike on the way back to the car.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_047_06112024 - One of a handful of little basins, which I think is for the cattle. But the water dripping from the spigot can provide some welcome temporary relief from the hot and unshaded sun, especially on a mid-June day like when we did this hike
One of a handful of little basins, which I think is for the cattle. But the water dripping from the spigot can provide some welcome temporary relief from the hot and unshaded sun, especially on a mid-June day like when we did this hike

In any case, once we got down towards the Ribeira das Cavadas, we reached a bridge over the creek and then a trail junction.

We then went right at this trail junction for the final 100m or so before reaching the Cascata de Cela Cavalos.

At this waterfall there were dual segmented strands each spilling into their respective plunge pools, where the plunge pool on the left was deeper while the one on the right fed more cascades (and was thus shallower).

The slabs of rocks were flat enough for the people who made it down here for some sunbathing, but we definitely had to be careful about our footing because the slabs were quite slippery when wet.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_024_iPhone_06112024 - Checking out both of the segments of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and their respective plunge pools that were very clear and quite inviting for a plunge to cool off on a hot day
Checking out both of the segments of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and their respective plunge pools that were very clear and quite inviting for a plunge to cool off on a hot day

Around the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, I did notice what appeared to be some kind of mill as well as a cross perched above some of the cliffs nearby, but I’m not sure what their significance to this area was.

After having our fill of the falls, we then went back the way we came, which meant the roughly 2.1km hike back was all uphill and quite exposed to the sun (so those spigots came in handy).

Unsigned Hiking Route to Cascata de Cela Cavalos

If you were wondering where the other path went from the footbridge over the Ribeira das Cavadas, well it turned out that it was an alternate trail going back up to a different part of the M308 Road.

I called this an unsigned hiking route because there was no signage suggesting that this path was available.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_084_06112024 - On the bridge over the Ribeira das Cavadas heading towards a trail junction where the path coming in from the left is the unsigned alternate trail that's shorter than the signed one that we wound up doing
On the bridge over the Ribeira das Cavadas heading towards a trail junction where the path coming in from the left is the unsigned alternate trail that’s shorter than the signed one that we wound up doing

I guess it’s one of those things where if you know, you know.

The hiking trail was about 500m from the bridge to a junction with an unpaved 4wd road, and then another 600-700m to get up to the M308 Road, where there’s some informal pullout spaces.

Thus, the out-and-back hiking distance of this route would be about 2.4km round-trip, which would cut off about 50% of the overall distance of the excursion.

Although I did see this option on Gaia GPS, I didn’t trust that the trail was a sanctioned one or if it went across private property.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_179_06112024 - Looking down at the open terrain from the unsigned alternate trailhead leading down to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Looking down at the open terrain from the unsigned alternate trailhead leading down to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos

But if we’re fortunate to return here in the future, I’d certainly consider this shorter route.

Authorities

Cascata de Cela Cavalos is located in Peneda-Gerês National Park near the village of Outeiro in the municipality of Montalegre of the Vial Real District of the Norte Region of Portugal. It may be managed by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests Municipality or the local parish of Outeiro. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the Natural.pt website.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_007_06112024 - Passing through the village of Outeiro as we were making our way to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos from Pitões das Júnias
Drive_to_Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_041_MingSung_06122024 - Heading west on the M308 Road as we were getting close to the signed trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Drive_to_Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_042_MingSung_06122024 - Descending the unpaved turnoff towards a spot where we parked our car in the shade. We saw one staff vehicle keep driving down this road, and I believe that only 4wd vehicles who are local should be proceeding past this spot anyways
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_016_06112024 - Julie starting on the trail leading down to Cascata de Cela Cavalos from signed trailhead
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_017_06112024 - The trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos was already mostly unshaded, and this little tree shadow was one of the very few spots we got such shade during our mid-June 2024 visit
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_018_06112024 - Julie continuing down the trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos as the terrain continued to open up and expose us to the hot sun
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_020_06112024 - We noticed this water channel or irrigation ditch, which I believe diverted some of the Ribeiro de Sela Cavalos for the purposes of agriculture and drinking water for the village of Cela nearby
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_023_06112024 - Beyond the irrigation ditch, the trail continued to descend along the first 500m or so towards the Capela de Santa Luzia
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_028_06112024 - Looking down at the Capela de Santa Luzia as we approached it
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_029_06112024 - Context of the trail approaching the Capela de Santa Luzia
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_032_06112024 - Julie approaching the lone Capela de Santa Luzia. Notice the trail coming in from the left, which came from the village of Cela
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_034_06112024 - Context of the Capela de Santa Luzia and one of those basins nearby, which I'd imagine was for cattle to drink
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_038_06112024 - Beyond the Capela de Santa Luzia, we continued down the descending and rather hot and sunny trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_039_06112024 - Context of the continuation of the signed trail descending in the direction of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos. As you can see, this trail descended for quite a ways in the hot sun
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_048_06112024 - Context of Julie approaching a bend in the trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos which further exposed the unshaded and fairly rocky terrain along the way
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_050_06112024 - Context of Julie continuing down the trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos alongside the ravine carved out by Rio Cávado
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_061_06112024 - Julie continuing down more open terrain along the unpaved road en route to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos on the signed approach
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_068_06112024 - Towards the bottom of the long 1.6km stretch out in the open past the Capela de Santa Luzia, we started to go alongside this wall on the way to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_073_06112024 - Julie continuing down the trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, but notice the trail descending in the distance, which actually came from the alternate unsigned trail to the waterfall
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_077_06112024 - The signed trail to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos continues past some markings indicating that this is part of a longer trail network in the area
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_083_06112024 - Starting to see part of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos as we got to the bottom of the long descent
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_086_06112024 - Following this sign to go upstream for the final 100m to reach the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_089_06112024 - Tahia descending towards the base of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_091_06112024 - Finally starting to see Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_094_06112024 - Portrait view of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_099_06112024 - Closer look at the rocky terrain further downstream of the main double-barreled part of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_103_06112024 - Focused on the left-side segment of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, which appeared to have the deeper plunge pool for swimming
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_106_06112024 - Frontal look at the pair of segments of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos as seen from the smooth rocky surface at its base
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_007_iPhone_06112024 - Portrait contextual look at the Cascata de Cela Cavalos at its base
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_011_iPhone_06112024 - Another contextual stitched panoramic look at the base of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and its swimming holes
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_019_iPhone_06112024 - Focused on the right-sided segment of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and its plunge pool
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_023_iPhone_06112024 - Another focused look at the left-side segment of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and someone cooling off in its waters
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_110_06112024 - Looking back at some other folks who have made their way to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos that we shared the experience with
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_115_06112024 - While around the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, I noticed this cross perched atop one of the neighboring bluffs or cliffs
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_122_06112024 - Also nearby the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, I noticed what appeared to be some kind of building (maybe a mill or something) situated next to the Ribeira das Cavadas
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_123_06112024 - After having our fill of the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, we now had to make the long uphill hike back to the trailhead
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_125_06112024 - Another look back at the context of the other alternate trail descending from the M308 Road
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_129_06112024 - Another look going by some rock wall probably for the local cattle along the trail for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos. Notice how there are clouds starting to show up when it was cloudless when we started
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_133_06112024 - Julie and Tahia continuing the rather long uphill hike back from the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_136_06112024 - Looking back at the context of the signed trail for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos and some of the neighboring mountains
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_145_06112024 - During our long uphill hike back from the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, these basins looked real inviting to cool off, but the basin itself was stagnant. Fortunately, there was dripping water from the spigot that we could use to put water on our heads to cool off
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_147_06112024 - Julie and Tahia still ascending the signed trail from the Cascata de Cela Cavalos with the Capela de Santa Luzia still up ahead
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_150_06112024 - Looking towards some grazing horses in the pastures flanking the signed trail for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_154_06112024 - During the long uphill hike, there were things that caught our attention to take our minds off the hot weather and unrelenting sun, and these wildflowers helped on that front
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_159_06112024 - Closeup look at some of the local lizards who thrive in this kind of hot and sunny environment
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_161_06112024 - Finally making it back to the Capela de Santa Luzia, and now we had to go another 500m more to return to the trailhead
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_172_06112024 - Another look at the irrigation ditch with water in it near the signed trail coming down from the M308 Road
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_176_06112024 - Noticing some ruin or relic alongside the initial part of the signed trail for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_030_iPhone_06112024 - Looking at the road/trail at the unsigned access for Cascata de Cela Cavalos just so we can see what that spot would have been like had we taken the shorter way instead of the signed way to get to the falls
Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_183_06112024 - Like the signed trail for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, the unsigned trail also involved unshaded, wide open terrain, but at least this approach was about half as long as the signed trail


Cascata de Cela Cavalos is situated towards the east side of Peneda-Gerês National Park near the village of Outeiro in the municipality of Montalegre.

That said, I’ll describe the driving directions as if we were driving from Gerês since that was where we were staying when we made our visit to this waterfall.

Drive_to_Pitoes_das_Junias_046_MingSung_06122024 - A big chunk of the drive from Gerês to the area around Outeiro was along the N103 Road where we saw quite a few man-made lakes on the Rio Cávado
A big chunk of the drive from Gerês to the area around Outeiro was along the N103 Road where we saw quite a few man-made lakes on the Rio Cávado

Note that I’ll also describe the directions from Pitões das Júnias since we came from there to get to the Cascata de Cela Cavalos.

Coming from Gerês to Cascata de Cela Cavalos

So from Gerês, the easiest route would be to drive south on the N308-1 Road for about 7km before crossing a bridge over part of the reservoir joining a round-about hooking up with the N304 Road.

Then, we’d take the N304 Road over another bridge over part of the reservoir, and then we’d follow this road for about 1.5km to the M529 connector road on the left.

This single-lane connector road then went uphill for about 1km towards the CM1392 Road, where we veered right at a fork and took that road another 1.8km to the larger N103 Road.

Drive_to_Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_026_MingSung_06122024 - Cascata de Cela Cavalos was near the village of Outeiro, which was situated by the Albufeira da Barragem de Paradela, which is that reservoir you see in this picture
Cascata de Cela Cavalos was near the village of Outeiro, which was situated by the Albufeira da Barragem de Paradela, which is that reservoir you see in this picture

Turning left onto the N103 Road, we then followed it for about 15km before turning left onto the CM1397 Road.

Next, we’d follow the CM1397 Road for about 1km, and then we kept right to continue on the CM1021 for about the next 3km (crossing the reservoir of the Albufeira de Salamonde along the way).

Afterwards, we then continued on the CM1021/M308 Road keeping to the right at the next junction before Cabril, where we’d then follow the M308 for another 7km before the CM1021 became the M308.

Finally, we’d follow the M308 for about 9.5km before reaching the signed turnoff on our right for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_009_06112024 - Looking back up at the signed entrance to the unpaved trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos
Looking back up at the signed entrance to the unpaved trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos

Overall, this drive would take us between 60-90 minutes.

Note that the alternate trailhead was about 4km before the signed turnoff for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, but since it was unsigned, it might not be obvious to know when to slow down the car and stop at the corresponding pullout.

Coming from Pitões das Júnias to Cascata de Cela Cavalos

Coming from Pitões das Júnias, we drove about 2km going east on the M513-1 towards the M513 Road.

Next, we drove about 5.5km south on the M513 to the M308-5 Road at Covelães.

Drive_to_Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_035_MingSung_06122024 - Driving west along the M308 Road towards the Cascata de Cela Cavalos shortly after leaving Paradela and the Albufeira da Barragem de Paradela
Driving west along the M308 Road towards the Cascata de Cela Cavalos shortly after leaving Paradela and the Albufeira da Barragem de Paradela

Turning right to go west on the M308-5, we then drove 5.5km to the M308-4 Road in Outeiro before turning left onto the M308-4 Road.

Then, we followed the M308-4 Road for a little over 4km before turning right onto the Rua Barragem/M308 Road at Paradela.

Finally, we drove a little over 5km along the M308 Road towards the signed turnoff on our left for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos.

Overall, this drive took us around 40 minutes.

Cascata_Cela_Cavalos_180_06112024 - The unsigned pullout for the alternate trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, which would shave off roughly half of the overall distance had we done the hike from here
The unsigned pullout for the alternate trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, which would shave off roughly half of the overall distance had we done the hike from here

Note that if we wanted to get to the unsigned alternate trailhead for the Cascata de Cela Cavalos, we’d drive another 4km to the unsigned pullout at a bend in the road to the left.

For context, Gerês is about 43km (about an hour drive) northeast of Braga, 82km (about 90 minutes drive) east of Ponte de Lima, about 96km (over 90 minutes drive) northeast of Porto, 65km (over 90 minutes drive northwest of Mondim de Basto, about 213km (over 2.5 hours drive) north of Coimbra, and 406km (over 4.5 hours drive) north of Lisbon.

Find A Place To Stay

Bottom up hook sweep following both segments of the waterfall as seen from further downstream in front of a lower cascade


Somewhat haphazard sweep from atop a flat boulder right in front of the falls showing both tiers


Checking out both segments of the falls from a more elevated position set back from the boulders

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Tagged with: outeiro, peneda-geres, vila real, north region, portugal



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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