The Rio Homem Waterfall, better known as Portela do Homem Waterfall, is my most important childhood memory of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. I still remember the first time I visited that place of waters in shades of greenish blue. It is perhaps the most sought-after waterfall in the whole Park, and the influx of tourists in the summer proves this.
This waterfall is located two kilometers from Portela do Homem, a mountain pass on the Portugal-Spain border at 822 meters of altitude, in a gorge that descends to Galicia. To get there, from Caldas do Gerês, follow the border of Portela do Homem. The place is not only worth by the waterfall and lagoons, but also by all the beauty of the Mata da Albergaria that accompanies the trip there.
In the summer, parking is not allowed along the access bridge to the waterfall, and it is obligatory to go up to the car park and then walk down to the waterfall bridge again.
The crystalline waters, coming from Rio Homem, form several lagoons of clear, pure and deep water that is often only seen in movies, and where only the bravest ones dive by jumping from the cliffs around them.
This is definitely a must-stop, and I would almost say it’s a crime to leave the bathing suit at home.
Peneda-Gerês National Park: Portela do Homem Waterfall Location
Google Maps Coordinates: 41.80359, -8.12824 | open Google Maps
GPS Coordinates: 41° 48′ 12.9″ N 8° 07′ 41.7″ W
This post was translated with the help of Google Translator.
