There is a colossus in the heart of Galicia. Among the dense forests, half an hour from Santiago de Compostela, hides Fervenza do Toxa, a waterfall with a drop of more than 30 meters and a total height of 60. An idyllic picture in a space of great landscape value which is part of the Ulla-Deza River System and is also part of the Natura 2000 network as it is considered a site of community importance (SIC).
Although it is true that it is far from large Galician cities like Vigo, La Coruña or Lugo, this tourist destination is located just over half an hour’s drive from Santiago de Compostela, which which makes it an essential stopover. A destination that joins a long list of natural attractions near the city of Santiago. Likewise, its good communication and easy access by road make it one of the most visited natural destinations in Galicia.
This natural accident is located in the municipality of Silleda, in the Deza region. The town is known as much for its natural and river heritage as for its weight within the livestock sector. But beyond this historical, cultural and even religious wealth, the municipality of Pontevedra stands out for the fact that it is home to one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in all of Galicia: the Fervenza do Toxa, a 30 meter high free fall located in the middle of a green riverine forest, with oaks, chestnut trees and dozens of other species.
All the splendor of nature enters the river heart of Silleda, an authentic spectacle for the senses of light, water and sound; and whose visit is obligatory at any time of the year. Indeed, there is a small path of only one kilometer which crosses dreamlike landscapes to the foot of this famous Galician waterfall.
In this area, a friendly leisure area was set up a few years ago with benches and tables to enjoy a full day immersed in the nature of Silleda. It should also be noted that this corner is also an ideal environment for bird watching enthusiasts, since different species of birds nest on the walls that surround this Galician waterfall, including crows and falcons, which need cliffs stone for nesting. The botanical wealth also crosses the enclave that surrounds Fervenza do Toxa, forming an immense Atlantic forest very well preserved and almost unique in Galicia. Oaks, chestnut trees, laurels and cork oaks can be seen at every step, while other species such as ash, alder, willow and hazel stand out on the banks of the river.
On the other hand, very close to the surroundings of the waterfall, taking a small detour we will also find the Fervenza do Toxa viewpoint, a spectacular balcony from where you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Silleda. From this elevated corner, visitors who reach the highest point will be able to observe the natural confluence between most of the rock formations and the lush forests that run through the Deza Valley, as well as part of the course of the Toxa e river, even the top of the waterfall from a completely different angle.
How to get to Fervenza do Toxa
To access this beautiful waterfall, it is best to walk and soak up nature, although it is possible to get there by car. To do this, a few minutes walk from Fervenza do Toxa there is a car park where you can park your vehicles.
However, if you are going hiking, there are several routes. The most popular is the so-called PR-G18 road which starts at the Monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro, located just 6 kilometers from our destination. This 10th century religious building is one of the most important in the region and would be an ideal option to complete the visit. The trail follows part of the Deza River bed and takes about an hour and a half (one way). This trail also has different mills, bridges and viewpoints that make the trip more enjoyable.
Other possible routes to reach this magnificent natural feature are the roads that connect it to some of the towns closest to the waterfall. Among the most notable are those from Martixe de Abaixo (4 km), Campomarzo (2.1 km) or Quintás (barely 700 meters).
However, despite the beauty of this place, you must take into account the weather forecasts before going there, because if they are too unfavorable it can be complicated, and above all dangerous, to visit this waterfall.
Silleda, stage of the Camino de Santiago
Although the Fervenza do Toxa is one of the most impressive and visited places, the city of Pontevedra has other points of interest within its street that are worth marking on the map of any traveler passing through Silleda . One of the most important is the already mentioned monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro, a medieval temple in Romanesque style whose origins date back to the 12th century.
This municipality in the interior of the province of Pontevedra is also one of the stages of the Way of Saint James, attracting thousands of pilgrims to its territory every year. This is the so-called Vía de la Plata (or also Camino del Sureste or Mozárabe), one of the most important stops on this southern route being the Monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro, an enigmatic construction medieval from the 12th century. hidden among the forests of Silleden.
Silleda is also one of the ideal destinations for everyone who loves nature and hiking. Without taking into account the Vía de la Plata, throughout the territory we can find several routes that cross these valleys of Deza such as the Sendeiro da Saleta, the Sendeiro do Deza, the Ruta da Agua or the Romanesque Route or even the path that It extends to the Castro de Touriz, located just one kilometer from the urban center of the city. Another of the most important spaces of the Natura 2000 network of Silleda are those known as Brañas de Xestoso, a small but spectacular mountain range located between the basins of the Umia and Ulla rivers. In its surroundings there are several wetlands and lagoons such as the Sacra de Olives, a place where the largest representation of turbeiras sorrels in all of Galicia is found.
Sendeiro do Deza
Among all the trails that we have mentioned, we recommend the Sendeiro do Deza, a linear route of approximately 6 kilometers that connects three of the most emblematic places in the Deza region: the Fervenza do Toxa, the river beach of A Carixa and the enigmatic Carboeiro. Monastery.
However, as it is a linear route, it can also be done from the Carboeiro Monastery, having more controlled parking. Considered low difficulty, this can be completed in around two hours. The starting point is near the fervenza da Toxa and ends at the aforementioned monastery.
