This gorgeous waterfall is accessed from a bridge over the Rio Arado, just north of the village of Ermida. To see the falls from above, climb to the miradouro (viewpoint) via a signposted, 150m-long staircase from the parking area. Alternatively, boulder-hop your way upriver from the bridge past a series of natural pools to the base of the falls – a prime swimming spot in warm weather.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.5 MILES
Braga’s extraordinary cathedral, the oldest in Portugal, was begun when the archdiocese was restored in 1070 and completed in the following century. It’s…
28.5 MILES
The largest, oldest and most celebrated of the Minho's markets is the Feira de Barcelos, held every Thursday in Barcelos on the banks of Rio Cávado…
27.56 MILES
Just north of the town of Ermelo, on the N304 between Vila Real and Mondim de Basto, is a turn-off to the dramatic Fisgas de Ermelo waterfalls. From this…
Centro Interpretativo das Memórias da Misericórdia de Braga
19.4 MILES
Braga's newest museum is housed inside Palácio do Raio, whose exuberantly tiled rococo façade (by André Soares) is must-see material for any aficionado of…
23.81 MILES
The city’s pièce de résistance, this elegant 31-arched bridge across the Rio Lima is now limited to foot traffic. Most of it dates from the 14th century,…
Escadaria do Bom Jesus do Monte
17.34 MILES
Climbing dramatically to the hilltop pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte, 5km east of Braga, is this extraordinary staircase, with allegorical fountains…
1.32 MILES
For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…
16.65 MILES
One of the most evocative archaeological sites in Portugal, Citânia de Briteiros, 15km north of Guimarães, is the largest of a liberal scattering of…
Nearby Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês attractions
1.32 MILES
For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…
2. Nucleo Museológico de Campo do Gerês
3.94 MILES
At the main crossroads 1.5km south of Campo do Gerês village, this museum has exhibits on local flora and fauna – but its highlight is the section…
10.53 MILES
Built during the reign of Afonso III, this 13th-century castle 5km from the Spanish border long served as a key Portuguese military outpost. These days it…
4. Capela de São João de Fraga
10.93 MILES
Standing alone on a rocky mountaintop, this whitewashed chapel surrounded by rugged peaks is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Pitões das…
5. Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
11.81 MILES
This 30m waterfall crashes down through a rocky cleft about 2km south of Pitões das Júnias.
6. Miradouro Cascata de Pitões das Júnias
11.82 MILES
A 217-step wooden staircase descends to this viewpoint looking across to the Cascata de Pitões das Júnias.
7. Mosteiro de Santa Maria das Júnias
12.18 MILES
Built on the site of a 9th-century pre-Romanesque hermitage, this lovely 12th-century Benedictine monastery in a remote river valley fell under the sway…
8. Cemitério de Pitões das Júnias
12.35 MILES
Pitões das Júnias' village cemetery serves as a helpful landmark in locating the trailhead for the loop hike.