Why “secret” natural pools call to us in summer
A corner of a river that seems hidden and a hot afternoon: that is enough for many summer getaways to start revolving around the water.
Secret natural pools are river or coastal corners that seem hidden and combine gentle adventure, beauty, and calm. The selection of pools, gorges, and puddles in Spain was made using these criteria: reasonable accessibility (short or medium hikes), bathing safety (entries and exits, currents), landscape beauty, water quality, seasonality (flow and tides), tourist impact, and bathing legality.
Before setting off, avoid soaps, respect the wildlife, and always take your waste with you. Check local regulations, as some areas limit bathing or access during the high season.
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Before you go: map, logistics and good practice
Save the interactive map on your mobile and check each fact sheet before setting off: access, difficulty, best time, and restrictions. The parking, trail, and bathing point icons tell you at a glance what awaits you at each pool.
Confirm permits or seasonal closures with the corresponding town hall. Many pools change their rules depending on the season, and a call or an email will save you a wasted trip.
Plan for water, shade, and the return journey. Carry more than you think you will drink, look for where to shelter from the sun, and calculate your return while there is still light.
Be responsible: leave no trace, avoid loud music, and respect farmers, livestock breeders, and locals. The pool remains part of the village that looks after it.
Interactive map
The map brings together GPS points, suggested routes, and direct access to the fact sheet for each pool on your mobile. Open it before you go and have the information for each puddle at hand.
15 natural pools for your summer, among pools, gorges and puddles
1. Pozas do Río Barosa (Pontevedra): waterfalls and clear water pools
In Barro, a few minutes from Pontevedra, the Barosa River flows down in steps of fresh water between seventeen mills built on a slope. The waterfall covers a drop of about 30 metres and the Atlantic shade of black alder and oak accompanies almost the entire route.
Bathing is short and the water is usually cold in summer. The bottom alternates between polished rock and pebbles, and some basins are shallow, so it works well with children. It also attracts photographers and anyone wanting a responsible picnic.
Access is free and open. There is free parking at the entrance and another closer to the waterfalls within the park, and a short, marked, low-difficulty trail leaves from the recreational area.
The best time is spring, due to the flow, and summer; avoid floods after rain. Arrive early or at sunset to avoid crowds, use water shoes, do not jump into unknown pools, and respect the currents.
Stay on the trails, do not cross private meadows, and pick up all waste. Check municipal rules regarding bathing and fires before going.
Check “1. Pozas do Río Barosa” on the map to see entries and suitable bathing areas.
2. Gorga de la Febró (Tarragona): gorges in a Mediterranean environment
The reddish rock of Muntanyes de Prades protects a clear and deep gorge where the murmur of water mixes with resin and thyme. In the municipality of La Febró (Baix Camp), this subtle corner of Mediterranean pools and gorges offers swimming, photography and a walk among holm oaks. It remains one of those secret natural pools for those who walk a little off the beaten track.
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Location: surroundings of La Febró, Muntanyes de Prades (Tarragona).
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Access: short track and path with rocky sections; low-medium difficulty.
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Coordinates: check them on the Picuco interactive map.
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Shade: limited at midday; better in the morning and afternoon.
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Best time: late spring and summer; avoid after heavy rains due to rising water and murky water.
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Ideal for: photographers, experienced swimmers, couples looking for something tranquil.
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Local rules: respect signage; do not cross private property or make fires.
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Safety: keep an eye on children, the rock can be slippery; do not jump without testing first.
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Sustainability: leave no trace; carry a bag for waste and avoid excessive creams.
Search for “2. Gorga de la Febró” on the map and choose the easiest access for your group.
3. Poza del Hundidero (Málaga): hidden in the Sierra
Poza del Hundidero appears and disappears with the rains, right in the heart of the limestone of the Sierra de Grazalema. It is near Montejaque, in the surroundings of Montejaque and Benaoján (Málaga), and forms part of the Hundidero–Gato system.
At the bottom of a gorge through which the river flows, the Hundidero cave opens up, with an altitude of more than 50 metres. The water is cool and the shade is partial in the canyon: it is perfect for a geology photo, a brief swim and observing cliff-dwelling birds.
Getting there requires a short track and a stony path of medium difficulty, with irregular rock and little signage. Follow the path traces and do not enter the cavities.
The pools are temporary: during a drought, only a minimal layer of water may remain. The best time is late spring, early summer and the days following rainfall episodes, always with caution.
Do not approach the cavities without equipment and watch out for falling rocks; entry into the cave requires authorisation. Check municipal restrictions beforehand during high fire risk periods.
On the map, search for “5. Poza del Hundidero” to see the stopping point and the section with water.
4. Charco del Infierno: oasis in the Sierra
Charco del Infierno is a natural pool in the foothills of the Montes de Málaga (Guadalhorce Valley), on the course of the Campanillas river and at the tail end of the Casasola reservoir. The water forms large pools between rocks in a small limestone canyon, fed by the river's floods. It is known for its deep waters and its rocky landscape.
You arrive via a marked path, of low-medium difficulty due to the wet rock. Open “6. Charco del Infierno (Cazorla)” on the map and follow the marked path. Along the way, you will see oleander, rushes and dragonflies; respect the amphibian areas.
The best time is from late spring to early autumn. It is a place for families with care, for photographers and for a peaceful swim. Go at sunrise: you will have soft light and less crowds.
Check the permits and local restrictions at the visitor centre. Use footwear with good grip and do not jump if you do not know the actual depth. Do not use soaps, do not take shortcuts and leave the stones as they are.
5. Pozas de A Fervenza (Lugo): pools in a green landscape
The Pozas de A Fervenza are in the A Fervenza fluvial area, in Mondoñedo, province of Lugo. Around them grow pedunculate oaks over 300 years old and an ancient 17th-century mill is preserved.
The recreational area has two artificial fluvial pools, one for children and another of greater depth, as well as a picnic area, benches and covered tables. The water is clean and cold in summer: the best time is from May to September and it is advisable to avoid floods after storms.
It works well for families with control, for photographers and for a responsible picnic. On weekends, the influx is moderate, so arrive early.
Access is a short track and a marked path of low difficulty. The starting point is the Casa Grande de A Fervenza, where you can park.
Stay on the path, do not damage mosses or ferns, do not make fires and respect fences and meadow gates. Locate “7. Pozas de A Fervenza (Lugo)” on the map to choose the pool that best suits your group.
6. Gorgs del Congost (Girona): pools between rock and forest
In the Gorgs del Congost, several pools are linked in a gorge with jumping platforms and crystal-clear waters, in the province of Girona.
The water polishes the limestone and leaves walls with a soapy feel. You arrive via a descending path, of medium difficulty due to the slope and the smooth rock: from the car park, it takes between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the chosen gorg.
There are ledges and natural slides, so footwear is essential. Jump only at the known points indicated by locals, and respect the signage: some areas prohibit jumping.
The shade is variable. It is advisable to go in the early hours or with the last light of the day. The place is suitable for safe swimmers, for photography and for small groups with discretion.
To take care of it, do not leave cigarette butts, avoid music and keep groups small in narrow passages. The coordinates are on the Picuco map: open “8. Gorgs del Congost (Girona)” and choose the section with the least crowds.
7. Pozas de Valdeazores (Castilla y León): mountain pools
The Pozas de Valdeazores are mountain pools in the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, in Jaén. They are clean and austere pools, designed for short swims and for sitting and staring at the water.
The water is very cold due to the altitude, so avoid prolonged exposure and monitor your immersion time.
The Junta de Andalucía may close the walkways without prior notice if the river rises or strong winds blow. Go from July to September, preferably at midday due to the temperature, and leave early: afternoon storms arrive quickly.
Bring dry spare clothes and do not step on peat bogs or waterlogged meadows. The place is perfect for hikers, photographers and anyone looking for a brief swim and a moment of contemplation.
Search for “9. Pozas de Valdeazores” on the map to see recommended access points and alternatives if the track is closed.
8. Charco de la Peña (Extremadura): swimming in an open landscape
Charco de la Peña is a mirror of water in an open area of Extremadura, among cork oaks and rockrose. It is suitable for a peaceful swim and a responsible picnic.
The shore has easy access and the bottom is a mix of sand and small pebbles. Holm oaks and cork oaks provide shade nearby, so it is advisable to go in the morning or in the afternoon.
Before swimming, check the water level and the presence of algae, and check the nearest recreational area: sometimes there is a picnic area in summer.
Do not light fires and check the water quality after prolonged heat. Respect estates and closures, and park without blocking paths.
You arrive via a local road and a short, low-difficulty path, the Camino del Charco de la Peña, in the hamlet of La Zarza. The path has been prepared for safe access.
9. Poza del Molino (Mallorca): pools in a torrent
La Poza del Molino is a river pool in Torla-Ordesa, in the Aragonese Pyrenees (province of Huesca), with waters from the Ara river suitable for swimming.
Swimming is short and the bottom is made of rock and gravel, with entries via wide slabs. The difficulty is low-medium due to the polished rock. There is good shade early on and little at midday, so it is advisable to get up early.
It is a sensitive area: step only on the rock and avoid the scrub and fragile banks. Do not jump into the water and respect any possible temporary closures due to fire risk.
Locate “11. Poza del Molino (Mallorca)” on the map for the easiest access points.
10. Gorga del Río Mundo (Albacete): jumps and pools
The Río Mundo flows cold and transparent all year round, even in August, and sounds like crystal bells when it trips over the ledges. The gorges and basins are spread upstream and downstream of the Nacimiento area, in the surroundings of Riópar (Albacete), and swimming is possible outside the usually regulated zone.
Locals know several jumping points. Jump only on ledges with proven depth and never in murky pools. Respect the boundaries of the protected area: the Nacimiento usually prohibits swimming. Do not stack stones or invade riverside estates either.
Summer brings freshness, and spring and autumn reveal the “Reventón”, with the main waterfall “Los Chorros” and its jump of more than 80 metres. There is a high influx on weekends, so it is advisable to arrive in the early hours of the day. Shade alternates, with holm oaks and poplars nearby.
To locate the sections where swimming is permitted, search for “13. Gorga del Río Mundo” on the interactive map.
11. Pozas de O Courel (Lugo): routes and hidden pools
On the slatey slopes of the Serra do Courel (Lugo), there are small pools and waterfalls among old sweet chestnuts. You can combine hiking and swimming in a tranquil rural setting.
Several marked routes connect the pools and combine with local viewpoints to link several in one day. There are shallow pools for children and others that are deeper for swimming.
The difficulty of the access points varies, generally low-medium, via local tracks and paths. The usual starting point is the village of Froxán.
Go in summer and early autumn, when the pools are full and the forest changes colour; the water is cold and clear. It is a plan for hikers, forest photographers and families with control.
You will see dragonflies, forest birds and amphibians: step on the rock and not the soft bank. Bring water shoes, a light towel and a windbreaker. Walk in small groups, do not cross hay meadows and shop in the villages.
Coordinates are available on the Picuco map. Open “14. Pozas de O Courel” on the map to connect several pools in one day.
How to choose your ideal pool
The pool that suits you depends on who is going with you and what you want to do in the water. Before setting off, think about the group profile and the type of swimming you are looking for.
If you are going with children, prioritise short access, a shallow bank and shade near the water. For real swimming, look for a depth greater than 1.5 m and clear exits from the water. If you are carrying a camera, the waterfall and the orientation of the light make the difference. And if you like walking, choose circular routes to combine swimming with hiking.
Before going, assess the crowds, mobile coverage and the rescue points in the area. Check the flow, the tides and storms with AEMET and the IGN maps (Spain Maps app). Download the tracks and save the maps offline to use them without coverage.
Safety, rules and sustainability
Before setting off, check the flow, the tides and the storm forecast. A downpour upstream can change the river in minutes.
In the water, do not leave litter, do not use soaps and respect the flora and fauna. Keep music moderate, maintain small groups, step on the rock and share the space with those arriving later.
Get information from town halls or visitor centres regarding permits and closures. Avoid mass geolocating natural pools: it helps them stay as they are.
If there is an emergency, call 112 and indicate your point on the map.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay an entrance fee?
Generally no, although it is worth checking if there are local fees in the municipality.
Is camping allowed?
No, except in designated areas.
What is the best time?
Sunrise and late afternoon, to avoid the busiest hours.
How can I know the water quality?
Check the information from the town hall.
Are there seasonal restrictions?
Yes, always check them before going.
What fauna is there?
Amphibians, insects and birds; they must not be disturbed.
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Conclusion
Explore these pools calmly and respect those who look after these landscapes. If you are planning the getaway, book rural accommodation and organise your swims with foresight. Protect these natural pools so they continue to be a refuge in summer.
Useful resources
Before heading to a pool, spend ten minutes checking the access and the weather. Local tourist offices and park visitor centres can provide you with information about the pools and how to reach them.
To locate them and plan your itinerary, use the Mapas de España (IGN) app. Check the AEMET forecast before your excursion and consult the Red Natura 2000 information regarding the protected areas where the pools are located.
Some pools require a permit: contact the corresponding town hall to arrange it. At Picuco, you can find inspiration and locate verified nearby accommodation.
