Fraga da Pena, Serra do Açor
The Fraga da Pena waterfalls are located in the Serra do Açor in central Portugal, in the municipality of Arganil. These waterfalls were created by the erosion of the riverbed of the Ribeira da Pena, which flows through the mountains. Fraga da Pena is located in the hiking area Mata da Margaraça.
Over time, the river's water has worn away the rock, creating deep gorges and beautiful waterfalls. The highest waterfall has a height of about 20 meters and there are a total of seven waterfalls to admire.
The area surrounding the falls is also very special. Mata da Margaraça in the Serra do Açor is one of the oldest deciduous forests in Portugal. Different types of trees and plants grow there, such as oaks, chestnuts, wild roses and ferns. This makes Mata da Margaraça a wonderful place to walk and enjoy nature.
Fraga da Pena waterfalls
No matter how long I have lived here, the trip to the waterfalls of Fraga da Pena never gets boring. It's a nice car ride there of about 25 minutes. Just past the village of Benfeita you come to the parking lot for the falls. A short walk through the Mata da Margaraça brings you to the highest waterfall in the Serra do Açor.
Hiking at the waterfalls of Fraga da Pena
Anyone who knows me a little knows that I am not THE hiker of Arganil. However, for the walk at Fraga da Pena I like to make an exception. I love to enjoy the splashing water. In the summer I like to brave the cold and take an ice cold melt water shower in the basin under the double waterfalls.
I can also extensively enjoy the slate steps, cottages or actually ruins and the high rock formations. The vegetation is also beautiful and diverse. I can look endlessly at the overgrowth of ferns, moss and the unusual trees and shrubs. Hoping to spot a beautiful animal. This time it was a beautiful salamander that willingly let us photograph it. You often see birds of prey here, too.
Highly recommended is to follow the footpath up through the Mata da Margaraça. Halfway up, you have a panoramic view of the Serra do Açor. Along the way you walk along the bed of the river that winds between the rocks. When you get to the top, you come to an embedded bowl where a fairly high waterfall clatters down. The real scramblers can then continue on to get even higher. That, however, is a road of climbing, scrambling and sliding to reach the highest waterfall in Fraga da Pena.
Hiking and biking in the Serra do Açor
PR1 AGN - Caminho do Xisto da Benfeita - Cascatas Fraga da Pena
A beautiful walk of just over 10 kilometers which starts and ends in Benfeita. This xisto village is also worth a visit with authentic streets, a praia fluvial and a beautiful chapel. The walk goes through the Mata de Margaraça to the village of Pardieiros where, after 7 kilometers, the only restaurant is located on the way. The way back is less long and goes through the waterfalls of Fraga da Pena.
Centro Cyclin'Portugal da Serra do Açor - Coja (P33 - Vermelho).
A cycling route of over 40 kilometers for mountain bikers which begins and ends in Coja. Through the villages of Barril de Alva, Portelina and Pomares begins the ascent of the Serra do Açor to the old road EN344. Through the Ribeira da Mata de Margaraça, Benfeita and Pisão, the route continues. Just before the end you cross the Rio Alva to finish in the Prado park in Coja.
Bike route from Xisto village of Benfeita to the historic village of Piódão
Would you also like to visit this unique deciduous forest Mata da Margaraça with its unique waterfalls Fraga da Pena? Then combine this with a trip to Piódão in the Serra do Açor, the historic village and praia fluvial Foz d'Egua. A fantastic day trip during your vacation at Bed and Breakfast Casa Traca.
