Salto de Poveda

Highlights

  • • The old La Chorrera dam ("Salto de Poveda"), 31 metres high, over the river Tajo
  • • Unfinished, abandoned hydroelectric works in consolidated ruins
  • • Within the Parque Natural del Alto Tajo, in Poveda de la Sierra
  • • Limestone canyon of the upper Tajo, juniper forest and a trout river
  • • An unusual photographic and viewpoint stop in the region

Description

Salto de Poveda is the name commonly used for the reservoir and dam of La Chorrera, an unfinished hydroelectric structure on the upper course of the Tajo river, within the municipality of Poveda de la Sierra (Guadalajara) and inside the Parque Natural del Alto Tajo.

The gravity-type concrete dam reaches some 31 metres in height and creates a small reservoir just over one hectare in size. The project was meant to supply nearby municipalities with electricity, but was abandoned when leakage was detected during construction, preventing the plant from operating. The structure remains today as consolidated ruins in the middle of the canyon.

The interest of the site is not a natural waterfall but the contrast between the abandoned engineering work and the protected surroundings: limestone cliffs, juniper forest and the Tajo itself, one of the most singular trout rivers on the Iberian Peninsula. It's a regular stop on routes through the Alto Tajo and an unusual photographic landmark.

Key Information

Pricing

Free

Accessibility

Low

Kid-Friendly Pet-Friendly No Booking Required

Related Destinations

Guide

Essential information for visiting Salto de Poveda

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport

In this area

Poveda de la SierraMunicipio
Practical Information
Pricing
Free
Features & Services
  • Accessibility:Low
  • Kid-Friendly:No
  • Pet-Friendly:Yes
  • Booking:No Booking Required
Planning Information

Visitor Tips

Access from Poveda de la Sierra via forest track. Mountain footwear; the ground around the dam is uneven and the walls have no guardrails. It's not a natural waterfall: for water cascades, consider El Campillo or the Tajo trails. Best in spring for the river flow.

Historical Facts

Hydroelectric project abandoned during construction due to leakage detected in the reservoir bed. The plant never came into service. Today the infrastructure remains as part of the Parque Natural del Alto Tajo landscape.