Douro International and Águeda River Valley Special Protection Area

Barrages et cascades du Douro International et de la vallée de l'Águeda

Dams and Waterfalls

Explore the massive hydroelectric engineering of the Douro International Natural Park, featuring five major dams like the Aldeadávila arch-gravity structure and the buttressed Miranda Dam. This border region between Spain and Portugal also hides significant natural landmarks, including the 60-meter high Faia d'Água Alta waterfall and the Pozo Airón, which contains a walkable cave behind its falls. The list includes the Playa del Rostro, an inland beach on the Aldeadávila reservoir serving as a departure point for river cruises through the canyon.

Dams and Waterfalls — Carte

Raiden32 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Bemposta Dam

Bemposta Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Douro, where the river forms the national border line between Spain and Portugal.

Oscar Antón Galante from / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Aldeadávila Dam

Aldeadávila Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam on the Duero River in Spain, near the border with Portugal.

Tres1416 / Public domain

C

Saucelle Dam

The Saucelle Dam is a gravity dam on the Douro River. It is located about 4 km west of Saucelle in the province of Salamanca, Castile and…

César J. Pollo / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Picote Dam

Picote Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Douro, located in the municipality Miranda do Douro, in Bragança District, Portugal.

Vitor Oliveira / CC BY 2.0

E

Miranda Dam

Miranda Dam is a concrete buttress dam on the Douro, where the river forms the national border line between Spain and Portugal.

Jseoanepascual / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Playa del Rostro

Inland river beach on the Aldeadávila reservoir. It serves as the primary departure point for environmental cruises traveling through the steep cliffs of the Douro canyon.

G

Faia d'Água Alta

Standing at 60 meters, this is one of the highest waterfalls in mainland Portugal. It is situated near Lamoso and is surrounded by dense Mediterranean vegetation and granite rock faces.

H

Pozo Airón

Waterfall near Pereña de la Ribera featuring a natural cave located behind the water curtain, allowing visitors to walk underneath the cascade.

I

Cascada del Pinero

Seasonal waterfall located near Masueco in the Uces River basin, accessible via a hiking trail that descends through the traditional landscape of the Arribes del Duero.