Last Updated on 2026-08-06 by Claudia Bastos
Looking for the best places to swim in Gerês National Park? You’ve come to the right place. This guide features the best natural pools in the park, from the most famous swimming spots to hidden gems that few visitors ever discover.
We’ve been exploring Gerês National Park for years and have visited every natural pool featured in this guide. We keep it regularly updated whenever we discover a new spot worth adding or when access conditions change.
Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-reach swimming spot, a family-friendly pool, or a secluded river pool that requires a hike, you’ll find plenty of options here. For each location, we explain how to get there, how difficult the access is, what to expect, and whenever possible, we link to a more detailed guide.
Planning a trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park? Be sure to check out these guides to help you make the most of your visit:
- Best waterfalls in Gerês
- Typical Villages in the Park
- Best Trails
- You can also see our guide to Peneda-Gerês National Park.
- And finally, where should you stay in Gerês?
Which Natural Pool Is Right for You?
Not all of Gerês’ natural pools are the same. Some are perfect for families, while others require a longer hike but reward you with breathtaking scenery and a much quieter setting.
To help you choose, we’ve summarized our experience at each location in the table below. Our ratings are based on multiple visits over the years and should be used as a guide, as conditions can vary depending on the season, river flow, and visitor numbers.
| Natural Pool | Access | Walk | Best for | Summer Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poço Verde | Moderate | 2.5 km | Swimming & diving | Medium–High |
| Poço Azul | Moderate | 4.5 km | Crystal-clear water | Medium–High |
| Druids’ Pool | Easy–Moderate | 2 km | Peace & quiet | Low |
| Poço do Dola | Difficult | 3 km | Adventure | Very low |
| Seven Lagoons | Moderate | 4 km | Scenery | Very high |
| Poço do Teixo | Moderate–Difficult | 5 km | Seclusion | Very low |
| São Miguel Pool | Easy | 500 m | Easy access | Very high |
| Albergaria Forest Pools | Easy | 2 km | Short walk | Medium |
| Pigarreira Pools | Very easy | No walking | Families | Medium |
| Soajo Black Pool | Very easy | Stairs | Swimming & diving | High |
| Bento & Canejas Pools | Easy | 1 km | Waterfalls | Medium |
| Mantas Pool | Very easy | No walking | Families | Medium–High |
| Gola Pool | Very easy | No walking | Families | Medium–High |
| Pincães Pool | Easy–Moderate | 2 km | Waterfall | Medium–High |
| Cela Cavalos | Easy–Moderate | 2–3 km | Waterfall | Medium |
| Tahiti Waterfall | Moderate | About 1 km | Waterfall | Very high |
| Malho Pools* | Easy–Moderate | Short walk | Waterfalls & scenery | Low |
| Ermida Black Pool | Easy | 100 m | Waterfall & diving | Low |
| Carcerelha Pool | Easy | 100 m | Peace & quiet | Low |
- Note: The rating refers to the pools along the trail and the viewpoint. Reaching the Malho Pools themselves is extremely difficult and not recommended for most visitors.
Map of the Best Natural Pools in Gerês National Park
To make planning your trip easier, we’ve marked every natural pool featured in this guide on the map below. Use it to see where each spot is located and combine several pools into the same day trip around Gerês National Park.
The Best Natural Pools in Gerês National Park
Poço Verde (Green Pool)
Poço Verde (Green Well) de Fafião is a lagoon with crystal clear, greenish waters, famous for its beauty and relative ease of access. It has a good depth, which is ideal for swimming and diving.
There are plenty of rocks around that can be used for sunbathing, but note that it is a well-known lagoon, so on hotter weekends, it can get quite crowded, and the space available is minimal.
The trail to Poço Verde starts in the village of Fafião. It is about 2 km long, moderately difficult, and well-signposted. The best time to visit is in the summer to enjoy the sun, but if possible, avoid overcrowding on weekends and holidays.
See here for more information on going to Poço Verde de Fafião.
- Size: Medium and deep enough to dive.
- Does it have a waterfall? No. The Fafião River falls through the rocks to Poço, but there isn’t exactly a waterfall.
- Access difficulty: Moderate. The walk is relatively short (2.5 km) but has some very steep parts.
- Popularity/Attendance: Medium High. It is a very well-known destination.
- Services: There are no services nearby. You must park in Fafião, where there are cafes and restaurants, and walk to the destination.
Poço Azul (Blue Pool)
Despite its name (Poço Azul means blue well/lagoon), Poço Azul do Gerês looks greener than blue. However, the natural beauty is there, and the waters are crystal clear and fresh. Despite its relatively small size, it has very deep areas and can swim and dive.
The Walk to Poço Azul starts at Cachoeira do Arado and is around 9 km (round trip). It’s not a particularly difficult or dangerous walk, but you should take a map or GPS as the trail is not signposted.
Along the route, you cross rivers and go up and down rocky trails until you finally reach Poço Azul, one of the most beautiful and popular spots in Gerês. The best time to visit is summer when you can swim in its refreshing waters. However, to avoid crowds, it is recommended to avoid weekends and holidays in July and August.
See here for more information on going to Poço Azul do Gerês.
- Size: Medium-small, but with enough depth to dive.
- Is there a waterfall? Yes, but tiny, 4 or 5 meters. The big attractions are the lagoon and the beauty of the waters.
- Difficulty of access: Moderate. The walk is relatively long (4.5 km one way) and quite undulating, but there are no major inclines or dangerous areas.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average High, as it is a well-known destination despite the distance.
- Services: There are no services close to either the lagoon or the start of the walk.
Druids’ Lagoon (Lagoa dos Druidas)
The Druids Lagoon (Lagoa dos Druidas is much less known than other lagoons on this list and is, therefore, ideal for those looking for a more peaceful place. You might meet a few people, but it’s hardly crowded. When we went there, we either had the place to ourselves or there were only 3 to 5 other people.
This is one of the largest lagoons on this list, so it’s great for swimming and diving. The surrounding area is very good for sunbathing or relaxing. There is no waterfall here, but there are other smaller pools and ponds both upstream and downstream.
Lagoa dos Druidas is very close to the PR8 AVV trail – Mistura das Águas trail, but if you just want to go to the lagoon, you don’t need to do the full trail. Just start the trail at Tibo and follow it for about 2 km. You can see all the directions for both doing the trail and just going to the lagoon here.
- Size: Large and deep enough to dive.
- Does it have a waterfall? No.
- Access difficulty: easy to moderate; It involves a 2 km walk (one way) but without much difficulty.
- Popularity/Affluence: Low.
- Services: There are no services near the lagoon; even in Tibo, we don’t know any cafe or restaurant.
Poço do Dola
This is perhaps the most remote and unknown lagoon on this list of natural pools in Gerês. We had the place to ourselves whenever we went there, and even on the trek, we rarely saw anyone. But make no mistake, it is one of the most beautiful we know.
Located in the heart of Serra do Gerês, access to this well is quite complicated and involves a mountain walk of around 3 km. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s an unmarked trail with mariolas, and the descent to the river is quite complicated. Check this post for everything you need to know about going to Poço do Dola.
The lagoon is not especially big but lovely, with crystal clear, calm waters and a beautiful waterfall. Above the waterfall, a few more small natural lakes form in the stream. They are called piocas.
- Size: Small but still deep enough to dive.
- It has a waterfall: Yes, and it is beautiful despite being only 5 meters high.
- Difficulty of access: It is difficult. It involves a 3 km walk (one way) with a strong climb and complicated descent. We only recommend it to those who are used to hiking in the mountains.
- Popularity/Attendance: Very low – we never saw anyone other than ourselves there.
- Services: There is absolutely nothing near the destination, not even at the beginning of the walk.
Seven Lagoons (Sete Lagoas)
Sete Lagoas do Xertelo is one of the best-known and most popular lagoons in Gerês, and after visiting them, you will understand why. The extraordinary beauty of the countless lagoons (there are more than seven), with waterfalls between them and strong blue and green colors, has made them one of the icons of the National Park.
Also called Poços Verdes do Sobroso, this mythical place in Gerês is about 4 km from Xertelo and in the heart of the Gerês mountain range. The trail is not especially difficult and well-marked as it is part of an official and very popular PR, the PR9 MTR – Trilha dos Poços Verdes do Sobroso.
So, to go there, you just have to follow this trail to the lagoons and explore them. Each lagoon is very small, and most are shallow, but there is plenty of space to sunbathe on the rocks. The water is cold, as always, but it’s worth cooling off for a bit of paradise.
- Size: Small, but there are dozens of lagoons.
- Does it have a waterfall? Small waterfalls between the lagoons. None especially big.
- Access difficulty: Moderate; It involves a 4 km walk (one way), but there isn’t much accumulated as much of the route is flat.
- Popularity/Affluence: Very high in summer. There are practically always people when it’s hot, but there is plenty of space and many lakes for people to spread out.
- Services: There is nothing near the destination, but at the beginning of the walk, there is a little bar in Xertelo called 7 Lagoas.
Poço do Teixo
Poço do Teixo is very close to Sete Lagoas. However, unlike Sete Lagoas, Poço do Teixo is very little known and rarely full of people, even in high season, so it is a good alternative for those who want a little quieter.
To go to Poço do Teixo, we have to follow the same path as to the seven lagoons and then walk another almost 1 km. It’s not difficult, but this part is not marked, nor is there any indication. If you want to go there, you can read this article where we explain how to go to the Teixo waterfall and lagoon.
The Teixo Lagoon is very small but has a good depth, and its waterfall is very beautiful. We liked this place because it also has space to sunbathe and relax.
- Size: Small, but you can dive and cool off.
- Does it have a waterfall? Yes, it has a beautiful waterfall measuring about 5 meters. At the top, there is another smaller one.
- Difficulty of access: Moderate to difficult. In addition to involving a 4 km walk (one way), there are no directions after reaching the seven lagoons.
- Popularity/Affluence: Very low. Normally, no one is there. During high season and weekends, some people may flee Sete Lagoas.
- Services: There is absolutely nothing at the destination or on the way, but at the beginning of the walk, there is a little bar in Xertelo called 7 Lagoas.
São Miguel Pool (Poço de São Miguel)
The São Miguel waterfall pool is probably the best known in Gerês, both for the colors of its water and the ease of access. Also known as Well and Cascata do Rio Homem, this lagoon is in the middle of Mata da Albergaria, the heart of Gerês.
The lagoon is relatively small but very deep, so it is possible to swim and dive. There is also a small waterfall, but on hot summer days, it is always crowded with people.
You can see this lagoon and waterfall from the road to the Portela do Homem (by the border), but parking is prohibited along the road. You must go to Portela do Homem’s parking lot and walk back. Even so, access is straightforward.
- Size: Small, but you can dive and cool off.
- Does it have a waterfall? Yes, it has a beautiful waterfall measuring about 5 meters.
- Difficulty of access: Easy. It is visible from the road, but it is about 500 meters from the parking lot on the road.
- Popularity/Affluence: Very high. It is very unlikely that you enjoy it during summer. You need to go when there are few people, outside summer and weekends.
- Services: Sometimes, a small bar is open by the parking lot, and there is absolutely nothing by the waterfall/lagoon.
Albergaria Forest Pools (Lagoas da Mata de Albergaria)
The Mata de Albergaria lagoons are very close to the Rio Homem waterfall, but as it is not visible from the road, it is not as well known and has fewer people.
Despite this, access is not difficult. You will only have to follow the Lagoas da Mata de Albergaria trail, which is well marked and has no difficulty as it is less than 2 km without significant inclines.
The lagoons are small, but you can cool off in the water. Among the lagoons, we also have small waterfalls, none with much flow or height greater than 3 or 4 meters. Overall, it is gorgeous, and of course, it has the advantage of having fewer people than those in São Miguel.
- Size: Small, but you can dive and cool off.
- Does it have a waterfall? Yes, there are several small waterfalls.
- Access difficulty: Easy. It involves a walk of almost 2 km, but there are no technical or physical difficulties.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average. There will be many people on high-demand days in the National Park, but you may be there alone or with few people on other days.
- Services: Sometimes, a small bar is open by the parking lot, and there is absolutely nothing by the waterfall/lagoon.
Pigarreira Pools (Lagoas da Pigarreira)
The Ponte da Pigarreira lagoons are sometimes forgotten by vacationers who go to the national park, and the only justification I can find is that they are not as famous and eye-catching as others on this list. However, the lagoons are magnificent, and access is effortless!
This group of small lakes is right next to the road; some are even visible when crossing the bridge. Maybe because the most visible ones are tiny, people ignore them and go elsewhere, but the truth is that this area has many natural lagoons, and some are much larger.
The water is cold, of course, but it is crystal clear and clean. With many options of different sizes and depths and effortless access, it is one of the best lagoons in Gerês to visit with children. Despite this, you must always pay attention, as you can easily slip and fall.
- Size: Although there are different sizes, they are generally relatively small.
- Does it have a waterfall? No. There are small rapids between the lagoons, but that’s it.
- Difficulty of access: Very easy. They are next to the road.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average. Many people will be there during the high season, but you may be there alone or with a few people on other days.
- Services: There are no services near the lakes, but interestingly, there are picnic tables, so if you like to bring a snack, this place is perfect. Just be careful to bring all the trash you take with you.
Soajo Black Pool (Poço Negro do Soajo)
Poço Negro do Soajo (Soajo’s Black well) is another of the natural lagoons in the Peneda Gerês National Park with easy access, becoming extremely popular on the hottest days.
Although it is pretty pleasant, in our opinion, it doesn’t have the most beautiful, crystal-clear waters. However, it is one of the largest and deepest, so you can swim and dive to your heart’s content. There are some places to sunbathe, but they are insufficient on peak days.
Access is straightforward: It is right outside Soajo, close to the road. Find a place to park and go down 50 or 100 stairs.
- Size: Large and deep. You can do nothing and dive to your heart’s content
- Is there a Waterfall? Yes, there’s a tiny waterfall from where the river comes.
- Difficulty of access: Very easy. It just involves going down a staircase of 50 or 100 stairs.
- Popularity/Affluence: High. There are many people on hot days in July and August, even on weekdays.
- Services: There is nothing next to the lagoon, but it is relatively close to Soajo, where several quality cafes and restaurants exist.
Bento & Canejas Pools
These are two lagoons on the Adrão River that are close to each other and, therefore, can and should be visited together. The pools are relatively small, but you can swim and dive easily. We really like these wells because they are embedded in the rocks, creating a beautiful aesthetic effect.
Access to the wells is not very complicated, as you only have to walk for about 1 km. There are some technical sections, and there was a lot of vegetation when we went there, but those who are used to such wanderings won’t have any problems.
- Size: Medium, but with size and depth for swimming and even diving.
- Does it have a waterfall? There are waterfalls of various sizes between the wells.
- Access difficulty: Easy. It involves a 1 km walk but without many problems.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average. On hot days in July and August, there will be some people, but always much less than Poço Negro, which is very close by.
- Services: There is nothing next to the lagoon, but it is relatively close to Soajo, where several quality cafes and restaurants exist.
Mantas Pool (Poço das Mantas)
Poço das Mantas is not exactly a natural lagoon as it has a dam built to hold back the water, but it is really nice, so we decided to include it on this list.
Furthermore, it is perhaps the easiest to access and the most suitable for children and the elderly on this entire list. There are plenty of parking spaces and even places to have a picnic.
The well is quite small, but swimming and soaking in the water are pleasant. Due to the ease of access, it is pretty popular, but still not as popular as many other pools in Gerês.
- Size: Small to medium, but with more than enough size and depth for swimming and maybe diving.
- Does it have a waterfall? No.
- Difficulty of access: Very Easy. Suitable for everyone.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average high. There will be many people on hot days in July and August, but there will always be fewer people than we expect.
- Services: There are no shops next to the well, but it is relatively close to Soajo, where several quality cafes and restaurants are located. In addition, there are places to park and picnic.
Gola Pool (Poço da Gola)
Just like Poço das Mantas, Poço da Gola in Parada is extremely accessible and, therefore, a great option for the whole family. However, like Poço das Mantas, it is not 100% natural, as it has a dike to form a larger lagoon.
The lagoon is quite large, so it’s great for swimming and refreshing on a hot day. We have never been there in high season, so we cannot confirm whether it is very crowded, but given the ease of access and parking, we can only imagine that it is.
On the other hand, Poço da Gola has plenty of parking spaces and places to stay, which makes it much easier on busier days. It is also one of the only ones with a café-restaurant relatively close by.
- Size: Medium-large. It is more than enough size and depth to swim and even dive.
- Does it have a waterfall? A tiny waterfall plunges between the rocks.
- Difficulty of access: Very Easy. Suitable for everyone.
- Popularity/Affluence: High average due to excellent accessibility.
- Services: There are no services close to the well, but it is very close to the national road, where the Mó café/restaurant is.
Pincães Lagoon
The Pincães waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the Peneda Gerês National Park, and the small lagoon at its base is equally stunning. The water is crystal clear and highly inviting for diving in.
Regarding natural beauty, it is one of our favorite lagoons, but it is fairly small and has very little space on the banks to lay. There are usually many people, which makes everything a little more complicated.
Access is not too difficult but still involves a 2 km walk, which is good for 30 to 40 minutes. The final part is the most physically and technically complicated, as it involves climbing a bit over many rocks. Those who are used to this type of adventure will find it easy. Those who aren’t will find it a little quirky. But it’s quick and worth it.
- Size: Small-medium, but with more than enough size and depth for swimming and diving.
- Does it have a waterfall? Yes, but the waterfall is tall and very beautiful. It is the biggest attraction of the place.
- Access difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Suitable for people without agility problems.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average-high due to the lagoon’s spectacular waterfall and crystal clear waters.
- Services: There are no services right next to the well or along the walk. We also don’t know anything in Pincães, so you’ll probably have to go to Cabril ao Fafião.
Cela Cavalos Natural Pool
Located about 2 km from Cela, Outeiro, the Cela Cavalos waterfall is also one of our favorite waterfalls in Gerês. It is not especially big, but it is stunning and has a small natural pool where you can go into the water and even stand under it.
Accessing the lagoon and waterfall is not difficult, but it implies a long walk of 2 to 3 km along the road. It’s not one of the most beautiful hikes in Gerês, but it’s very well done. However, there were signs when we went there, so taking a GPS is advisable.
The popularity of this lagoon and waterfall is average, and you may be lucky enough to have no people or catch a few people. There isn’t much space near the water, which doesn’t help much.
- Size: Small, you can play in the water for a while.
- Does it have a waterfall? Yes, the waterfall is very beautiful. It is the biggest attraction of the place.
- Access difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Despite the distance, the path is always on a dirt road, so it’s doable for most people.
- Popularity/Affluence: Average due to the lagoon’s spectacular waterfall and crystal clear waters.
- Services: There are no services at the lagoon, at the beginning of the walk, or along the walk.
Tahiti Waterfall (Fecha das Barjas)
Fecha das Barjas, sometimes called Tahiti waterfalls, is a set of beautiful waterfalls that end in a beautiful lagoon. The colors and beauty of the waters inspired the unofficial name of Tahiti.
The waterfalls start next to the road/bridge. There are some small lagoons at the top, but the biggest lagoon is at the bottom. Access to the top is easy, but getting to the bottom section is a little more complicated, and there have been many accidents due to a lack of care from travelers.
This is one of the most famous waterfalls in the National Park, and its lagoon is lovely. However, if you want to go there, note that on the hottest days, it gets very crowded. So crowded that it is almost impossible to enjoy the place. Besides, with more people, it becomes even more dangerous.
- Size: Small-medium, you can dive in and play in the water for a while.
- There’s a Waterfall: Yes, and it’s fabulous. It is the biggest attraction of the place.
- Access difficulty: Moderate. It is next to the road, but access to the bottom can be dangerous.
- Popularity/Affluence: This attraction is popular due to its spectacular waterfall and crystal-clear lagoon waters. Therefore, it is challenging to visit this attraction on hot weekends.
- Services: There are no services at the lagoon/waterfall or nearby.
Malho Pools, Laboreiro River (Poças do Malho)
The Malho Pools are a series of natural pools along the Laboreiro River, on the border between Portugal and Spain. Reaching the pools themselves is extremely difficult—almost impossible—but you can reach a spectacular viewpoint from the Spanish side via a relatively short and easy hiking trail.
From the viewpoint, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over a series of waterfalls and emerald pools that, from a distance, resemble the famous Seven Lagoons (Sete Lagoas). Since there is no safe access to the Malho Pools themselves, we recommend swimming in one of the smaller natural pools alongside the trail instead. That’s exactly what we did, and we had a beautiful pool all to ourselves.
- Size: Medium. Large enough for swimming, diving, and enjoying the water.
- Waterfall: Yes, several beautiful waterfalls.
- Access: Easy if you’re visiting one of the pools along the trail. Reaching the Malho Pools themselves is extremely difficult (and virtually impossible for most people).
- Summer crowds: Low. During our visit, we only saw two other people along the entire trail.
- Facilities: There are no facilities at or near the pools.
Ermida Black Pool (Poço Negro da Ermida), Ponte da Barca
Ermida Black Pool (not to be confused with the Soajo Black Pool) is located on the Carcerelha River, right next to the CM1349 road.
A short 100-meter trail leads from the road down to the river. The access is easy and suitable for anyone without mobility issues. The pool is deep and dark, with an impressive waterfall measuring approximately 5 to 10 meters (16–33 ft) high.
Despite its easy access, it remains one of the lesser-known swimming spots in Peneda-Gerês National Park. If you’re lucky—especially on weekdays—you may even have the place to yourself. Keep in mind, however, that the area around the pool is quite small, so it can feel crowded even with just a handful of visitors.
- Size: Medium. Large enough for swimming, diving, and enjoying the water.
- Waterfall: Yes, approximately 5–6 meters (16–20 ft) high.
- Access: Easy. It’s just a short walk from the road to Ermida, and you can even see the road bridge from the pool.
- Summer crowds: Low, although the small riverside area means that 5–10 people are enough for it to feel busy.
- Facilities: There are no facilities at or near the pool.
Carcerelha Pool (Poço do Carcerelha), Ponte da Barca
Carcerelha Pool is located just a short distance from Ermida Black Pool, also alongside the CM1349 road. Access is relatively easy thanks to a set of stairs built into the hillside.
The pool—and especially its waterfall—is smaller than Ermida Black Pool, but it’s every bit as beautiful. The surrounding area is larger, making it a more comfortable place to relax and sunbathe. It’s also even less well known, so you’re more likely to enjoy a peaceful visit.
- Size: Medium. Large enough for swimming, diving, and enjoying the water.
- Waterfall: Yes, approximately 5–6 meters (16–20 ft) high.
- Access: Easy. It’s just a short walk from the road to Ermida.
- Summer crowds: Low. Even during the summer, it’s usually quieter than the nearby Ermida Black Pool.
- Facilities: There are no facilities at or near the pool.
Other Natural Pools in Gerês National Park
Peneda-Gerês National Park is home to many more natural pools than those featured in this guide. The places below are on our list to visit, and we’ll update this article once we’ve explored them ourselves.
We only recommend places we’ve visited personally. That allows us to share first-hand information and keep this guide as accurate and useful as possible.
- Travanca Pools (Arcos de Valdevez)
- Pontes Waterfall (Pontes, Castro Laboreiro)
- Rajada Waterfall & Natural Pool (Ermida, Terras de Bouro)
- Baraceira Pool Waterfall (Carcerelha River)
- Froufe Pool (Froufe River, Entre Ambos-os-Rios)
- Chão d’Além Pool (Entre Ambos-os-Rios)
- Entre Águas Pool (São Ane) – a small riverside beach with a sandy shore.
Have you visited any of these natural pools in Gerês National Park? We’d love to hear about your experience. Let us know in the comments which one was your favorite—or if there’s another spot you think deserves a visit.
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