Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes

Achada, Azores Region, Portugal

About Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes


Hiking Distance: about 2.3km round-trip (all sanctioned waterfalls)
Suggested Time: around 90-120 minutes

Date first visited: 2024-06-23
Date last visited: 2024-06-23

Waterfall Latitude: 37.84145
Waterfall Longitude: -25.26683

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes is a series of at least 4 waterfalls situated within the same natural park in the northeastern part of Ilha São Miguel (the largest of the Azorean Islands).

Of these waterfalls that we’ve encountered, half of them were man-made while the other half were natural.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_120_06232024 - One of the waterfalls belonging to the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
One of the waterfalls belonging to the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

There could have also been another waterfall well downstream from the park, but private property prevented access to that last one.

Indeed, as you can see from the photos on this page, it turns out that the biggest waterfalls in the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park benefitted from diversion pipes.

In fact, the people responsible for building and maintaining this park did a pretty slick job of concealing the pipes as they were pretty much under the foot trail paralleling the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Creek.

Speaking of the experience, we started off by going where just about everyone else (including tour bus crowds) went, and that was to the waterfall easily seen from the road bridge.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_080_06232024 - This is the 'first' of the Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, and this one occurs without the benefit of diversion pipes
This is the ‘first’ of the Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, and this one occurs without the benefit of diversion pipes

I call this the “second waterfall” because there’s a “first waterfall” about 450m further upstream along the trail remaining alongside the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Creek.

That creek pretty much lacked water throughout this stretch of the trail, and it’s the main reason why I already suspected the “second” waterfall was artificial.

Upon reaching the “first” waterfall, which was a modestly-sized natural waterfall (maybe about 5m tall or shorter), I noticed that its water volume seemed normal, and that was when I noticed the intake pool almost immediately downstream of it.

Indeed, that intake pool was where most of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões went as it fed pipes going to the second waterfall leaving behind a trickle on the main path of the creek itself.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_118_06232024 - Looking at the context of the metastable contraption and the road bridge over what's left of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Looking at the context of the metastable contraption and the road bridge over what’s left of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões

In fact, there was an intermediate cascade almost immediately downstream of the intake area, which was pretty much robbed of its water unless there had been significant precipitation to overflow the intake pool.

Anyways, the second waterfall tends to get all the commotion (as well as compel motorists to immediately find parking) given that it’s the primary beneficiary of the creek diversion combined with its roadside position.

Nearby this waterfall, there’s also an interesting metastable contraption that always see-saws back-and-forth as falling water spills on one side of it before tipping and filling the other side, and it oscillates perpetually.

I tend to view this waterworks as indicative of the engineering involved in the water diversion as well as the operation of the historic 16th century mills here.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_208_06232024 - Looking back at the developed part of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, which includes a visitor center, a cafe, a garden, lookouts, and trails
Looking back at the developed part of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, which includes a visitor center, a cafe, a garden, lookouts, and trails

Continuing downstream of the bridge, there’s a visitor center, a cafe, a garden, and a third waterfall (which is natural) dropping in plain sight from the visitor center building.

We witnessed some abseilers who were on tour descending or jumping from this waterfall into its plunge pool below, and I’d imagine that’s how locals or tour operators here primarily use that third waterfall.

Finally, there’s a fourth waterfall further downstream that also benefits from diversion pipes as it spilled next to a lower trail from seemingly out of nowhere (as there’s no creek upstream from this waterfall).

Well, if you ever wondered why the main creek of Ribeira dos Caldeirões and that third waterfall doesn’t have much water, the answer is that the diversion pipes (still concealed beneath the trail) empties over this fourth waterfall.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_144_06232024 - Looking down at the 'third' waterfall with some abseilers about to descend to the brink of this natural waterfall
Looking down at the ‘third’ waterfall with some abseilers about to descend to the brink of this natural waterfall

Just downstream of the fourth waterfall were some water mills as well as a fifth waterfall spilling from these mills back into the Ribeira dos Caldeirões.

At this point, the park pretty much ended, but the trail continued to descend and pretty much go alongside the Ribeira dos Caldeirões.

Even though I pursued another waterfall further down the creek, I found out the hard way that doing so would require trespassing on someone’s private property.

So I ultimately considered it a loss and wasted time and effort even getting down to the private property boundary, and I’m telling you right now that you mind as well save your time and energy but not going past the park boundaries for it.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_135_06232024 - Profile view of the 'fourth' of the waterfalls in the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park, where this one also happens to be man-made
Profile view of the ‘fourth’ of the waterfalls in the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park, where this one also happens to be man-made

Overall, it was about 700m (1.4km round-trip) between the road bridge and parking (see directions below) and the water mills.

We wound up spending about 3 hours away from the car, but I’d imagine this could easily be cut in half.

After all, we spent 45 minutes eating at the cafe, and I spent another 45 minutes seeking out the 6th waterfall here.

I should also mention that even though the services here have hours from 9am to 5pm, the trails and the waterfalls themselves can be visited for free at any time.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_196_06232024 - Beneath the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park, the trail kept going further downstream, but it eventually stops short of the next waterfall due to private property. The waterfall partially shown here comes from the 16th century water mills at the bottom of the park
Beneath the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park, the trail kept going further downstream, but it eventually stops short of the next waterfall due to private property. The waterfall partially shown here comes from the 16th century water mills at the bottom of the park

That said, you’ll definitely want to show up early because of the parking situation given that space is quite limited.

Authorities

Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeirões resides in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões near Achada on the island of São Miguel of the Azores Autonomous Region of Portugal. It is managed by the Municipality of Nordeste. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the official Azores tourism website.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_005_06232024 - Julie and Tahia going from the busy car park area to the most easily seen waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_004_06232024 - Looking down at one of the water mills (said to be from the 16th century) in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_007_06232024 - The short trail and some channel next to it leading to what I'm calling the 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_017_06232024 - Portrait view of the 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões with some kind of retaining wall right at its base
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_029_06232024 - Close-up look at the retaining wall fronting the main drop of the 'second' of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Waterfalls
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_040_06232024 - Looking back at the context of the road bridge and the walkways on either side of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões in front of the 'second' waterfall
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_045_06232024 - Going across these square steps on the Ribeira dos Caldeirões in front of the 'second' waterfall
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_047_06232024 - Looking up at the 'second' waterfall from within its drainage next to the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_055_06232024 - Closeup look at the 'second' waterfall of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_060_06232024 - Following the 450m trail from the 'second' waterfall to the 'first' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_061_06232024 - For the most part, it was a pretty easy trail to follow between the 'second' and 'first' of the waterfalls of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_062_06232024 - This was one of the rougher parts of the otherwise gentle trail between the 'first' and 'second' of the waterfalls of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_064_06232024 - Continuing up along the trail between the 'first' and 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_066_06232024 - Still going forward on the trail between the 'first' and 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_077_06232024 - Approaching the 'first' waterfall and its plunge pool in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_088_06232024 - Broad look at the 'first' waterfall on the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_096_06232024 - Tahia evaluating whether she can skip stones in front of the 'first' waterfall on the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_100_06232024 - It took some time before more people started showing up at the 'first' waterfall on the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_102_06232024 - Starting to head back from the 'first' waterfall towards the 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_does_Caldeiroes_005_iPhone_06232024 - Looking back at the context of the 'first' waterfall and the trickling intermediate cascade as it was robbed of its water by an intake pool just upstream of here
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_108_06232024 - Context of some under-the-trail water diversion, of which this grating hinted at, near the 'first' waterfall of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_127_06232024 - After having made it back down to the 'second' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, we then went towards that cafe beneath the parking area
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_138_06232024 - Context of the descending trail with the 'fourth' waterfall of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões way downstream
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_139_06232024 - Looking back over the visitor center and some ramp nearby the 'third' waterfall of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_141_06232024 - Context of the 'third' waterfall of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_149_06232024 - Looking through a little masterpiece theater framing the 'fourth' of the waterfalls in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_155_06232024 - The trail descending closer to the base of the 'fourth' of the waterfalls in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_156_06232024 - Looking back at the lower trail that I took to get from the 'third' waterfall to the 'fourth' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_163_06232024 - Profile look at the base of the 'fourth' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_166_06232024 - Looking back at a picnic area by the 'fourth' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_200_06232024 - Looking at the ramp leading up to the upper trail after getting to this point from the lower trail in the lower part of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_172_06232024 - Looking down at 16th century water mills at the bottom of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_174_06232024 - Inside one of the water mills, there was this grinding stone, which clearly showed how water power was being harnessed
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_178_06232024 - Checking out the lowermost of the water mills in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_187_06232024 - While exploring the parts further downstream of the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, I happened to notice this little mouse
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_191_06232024 - Beyond the park, it seemed like things were even more naturesque and full of trees compared to the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões itself
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_192_06232024 - This was the dead-end point where the path continuing on the left was roped off due to private property. The path on the topright went back up to a road (different than the one we drove to get to the park)
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_193_06232024 - Even though the rope and sign would hardly deter the most determined trespassers, I opted to not be THAT guy just for a shot at seeing the lowermost of the waterfalls
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_203_06232024 - Checking out another masterpiece theater this time framing the visitor center and cafe area at the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_211_06232024 - Looking down at the lower trail and visitor center from the upper trail on the way back to end off my time at the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_212_06232024 - Showing up just in time to watch some abseilers jump off the 'third' waterfall in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_219_06232024 - Checking out a small fountain and garden area near the cafe and visitor center for the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_222_06232024 - Another look over the garden near the car park for the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões


The Cascatas da Ribeira dos Caldeirões resides in the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões in the civil parish of Achada of the Island of São Miguel.

Since we stayed in the town of Furnas, I’ll describe the most straightforward way to drive to the waterfall from there.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_001_06232024 - The parking situation at the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
The parking situation at the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

From the EN1-1A intersection just to the east of the Repsol gas station in Furnas, we’d drive north and then make an immediate right turn onto the one-way road through the center of town.

After about 300m going east on the EN1-1A, we’d then keep straight ahead before turning left at the next three-way junction (the one-way road has us going that way anyways).

Shortly after the left turn, we then took the next right turn where a sign pointed the way to Ribeira Grande and Ponta Delgada.

From there, we followed this single-lane road to the EN2-1A, where we then turned left to continue driving on the EN2-1A Road for the next 8km or so.

Ribeira_dos_Caldeiroes_115_06232024 - Looking back at the context of the parking situation for the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões from the trail leading to the uppermost of the waterfalls
Looking back at the context of the parking situation for the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões from the trail leading to the uppermost of the waterfalls

Then, we turned right onto the EN4-2, where there’s a sign for Nordeste, L. Maia, and Burguete, and we followed this road for 2.5km to the EN1-1A motorway towards Nordeste.

Next, for we’d continue driving on the EN1-1A Motorway for the next 10km to an exit for Santana and Achada on the right.

Once at the roundabout, we would take the second exit for the Ribeira dos Caldeirões, and then follow this road for the remaining 750m to the car park on the right.

Overall, this drive should take around 30 minutes.

Drive_to_Caldeiras_das_Furnas_001_MingSung_06242024 - Sometimes the parking situation can be so tense that people can literally park on the road out of desperation
Sometimes the parking situation can be so tense that people can literally park on the road out of desperation

Alternatively, we could also exit the motorway at the ramp for Achadinha and Salga (there’s also a brown Parque Ribeira dos Caldeirões sign).

Once at the roundabout just after its off-ramp, we’d then take the second exit to go onto the signed access road leading to the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões.

The car park will be on the left after about 2.5km or so from the roundabout, where the parking will be just past the road bridge over Ribeira dos Caldeirões on the left.

For context, Achadinha is about 3km (about 5 minutes drive) west of Achada, 15km (under 15 minutes drive) west of Nordeste, 19km (under 30 minutes drive) north of Furnas, about 25km (about 30 minutes drive) east of Ribeira Grande, about 21km (over 30 minutes drive) north of Povoação, and about 44km (under 60 minutes drive) northeast of Ponta Delgada.

Find A Place To Stay

Brief video showing the falls from the road bridge while also checking out the perpetual see-saw


Short scramble starting from the perpetual see-saw to the base of the waterfall closest to the road bridge


Contextual video showing the trickling intermediate waterfall before walking towards the diversion pond and then finally ending at the uppermost of the waterfalls in this area


Downstream to upstream sweep from the road bridge showing the nearest of the waterfalls to the car parking area


Long video checking out two waterfalls downstream of the road bridge starting with the natural one before walking over to a view through a masterpiece theater of the bigger (artificial) one further downstream


Checking out the big artificial waterfall from the picnic area between the tourist info building and the two bottom water mills as seen from both sides of its plunge pool

Related Top 10 Lists

No Posts Found

Trip Planning Resources


Nearby Accommodations



Tagged with: ribeira dos caldeiroes, natural park, parque natural, achada, estrada regional achada, sao miguel, acores, azores, portugal



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls

The Waterfaller Newsletter

The Waterfaller Newsletter is where we curate the wealth of information on the World of Waterfalls website and deliver it to you in bite-sized chunks in your email inbox. You'll also get exclusive content like...

  • Waterfall Wednesdays
  • Insider Tips
  • User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month
  • and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls


How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

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.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.