Fervenza do Ezaro

Santiago de Compostela / Galicia Region, A Coruna, Spain

About Fervenza do Ezaro

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Fervenza do Ezaro (or Fervenza do Ézaro with the accent) was a pleasant waterfalling surprise for us as it was a high-volume waterfall set amidst a windswept rocky landscape all within close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

The contrasting rocky backdrop even allowed us to spot a seal on the other side of the river, which further added to the naturesque atmosphere that still remained here.

Ezaro_096_06092015 - Fervenza do Ezaro
Fervenza do Ezaro

As you can see from the photo above, this 40m falls performed quite well even as our visit occurred in early- to mid-June 2015.

Indeed, it was hard to believe that as recently as 2010 and before, this waterfall was not allowed to flow unless there was an excess of waterflow on the Río Xallas.

This was because a hydroelectric plant that was built in the middle of the 20th century pretty much cut off the flow of the falls except for specific times or special occasions.

It wouldn’t be until 2011 after pressure from environmental groups (like Rivers with Life among others) when the authorities decided to let the river run with “ecological flow” to at least allow wildlife to recover minimally.

Ezaro_041_06092015 - Looking upstream from an overlook revealing a dam controlling the flow of the Rio Xallas, which is the cascading upper tiers of the Fervenza do Ezaro in this photo
Looking upstream from an overlook revealing a dam controlling the flow of the Rio Xallas, which is the cascading upper tiers of the Fervenza do Ezaro in this photo

As a result, the falls was allowed to perform naturally again, but I’m sure this tug of war between development and environmentalism will persist as such pressures between profit and preservation are ever increasing.

Experiencing Fervenza do Ezaro

Our visit to the Fervenza do Ezaro was a very simple affair.

From a car park near the hydroelectric plant (see directions below), we merely walked along the river towards the facility.

Then, the walkway continued around the building and some associated hydro contraptions before entering a boardwalk with a few miradores of the falls along the way.

Ezaro_063_06092015 - Julie and Tahia walking towards the hydroelectric facility, which they would have to skirt by to reach the Fervenza do Ezaro
Julie and Tahia walking towards the hydroelectric facility, which they would have to skirt by to reach the Fervenza do Ezaro

Eventually, the boardwalk would proceed past a “stage” area where there were steps leading down to the rocky embankment opposite the large plunge pool of Fervenza do Ezaro.

It was from here that we were able to capture the photo you see at the top of this page.

By the way, that “stage” might have been where performances or events would cater to a small audience (though this is totally a guess).

Given the high volume of the river’s flow, it would be foolish to enter the water without the risk of being swept away or pulled in by the undertow.

Ezaro_115_06092015 - The trail led us to stairs that brought us to the rocky banks of the Rio Xallas before the Fervenza do Ezaro
The trail led us to stairs that brought us to the rocky banks of the Rio Xallas before the Fervenza do Ezaro

There were also frothing bubbles accumulating on the banks of the river, which led me to think that perhaps it might be a little on the polluted side.

After all, the presence of the hydro facility, boats, and possible waste from the neighboring town might conspire to keep the water from being as clear as it could be.

Eventually, the Río Xallas would join the Atlantic Ocean as a small scale estuary.

At that estuary, we noticed there were calm beaches full of bright white sand that seemed very friendly for families under good weather.

Ezaro_218_06092015 - After visiting the Fervenza do Ezaro, we went further downstream to check out a beach fronting the town of Ezaro
After visiting the Fervenza do Ezaro, we went further downstream to check out a beach fronting the town of Ezaro

We certainly took advantage of it after our waterfalling experience.

Our visit only took about 50 minutes, but a large part of our time here was spent taking pictures.

The walk itself was probably no more than 10 or 15 minutes in each direction.

Authorities

Fervenza do Ezaro resides near the town of Silleda in the province of Pontevedra, Spain. It may be administered by the town of Ezaro or the municipality of Dumbria. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you may get leads from this website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: santiago, compostela, galicia, a coruna, spain, waterfall, portugal, atlantic, rio xallas, hydroelectric



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