In the heart of Pontevedra’s interior, the Fervenza do Toxa drops 30 meters in a single, uninterrupted fall. Located in Pazos parish, within the municipality of Silleda in the Deza comarca, the waterfall is one of Galicia’s most striking inland natural sights. Local tourism information describes it as one of the region’s highest waterfalls by free-fall height. The 30-meter measurement refers to the vertical drop, not the river channel’s full elevation change.
The waterfall is formed by the Toxa River, which winds through the Deza region before plunging over granite cliffs. Its forested setting and river corridor give the site scenic and ecological significance. Infobae España’s travel coverage, citing Turismo Silleda, places the waterfall within the Sistema Fluvial Ulla-Deza, part of the Natura 2000 network as a Site of Community Importance.
Measuring the Drop
The Fervenza do Toxa’s defining measurement is a 30-meter vertical free fall. Waterfall rankings vary depending on whether they count the uninterrupted drop, a sequence of cascades, or the river’s wider elevation change. The 30-meter figure describes the free-falling section. By this measure, the waterfall ranks among Galicia’s highest and gives the Deza field a dramatic focal point among the province’s inland natural attractions.
Getting There
Many visitors begin their journey in A Bandeira, on the N-525 between Ourense and Santiago de Compostela. From there, the PO-204 leads toward Pazos, Merza and Vila de Cruces, with signs directing travelers to viewpoints and the visitor area. The descent toward the waterfall passes through woodland and reaches a small rest area with stone benches and tables.
The route to the base is about 1.9 kilometers each way, with steep sections and stairs. After rain, rocks can be slippery, and the return climb is more demanding than the descent. Check the weather before setting out and wear sturdy footwear to prepare for the trail.
Extending the Hike
For those looking to explore further, the PR-G 18 Sendero del Deza extends the excursion into a six-kilometer route connecting the waterfall with the Romanesque monastery of San Lourenzo de Carboeiro. From the base of the falls, the trail follows the Toxa River to its confluence with the Deza, crosses a metal footbridge and passes rural landmarks before reaching the monastery. Surrounded by dense vegetation, the Carboeiro complex adds a historical dimension to the walk and is open daily during the summer months.
Protected Natural Area
The Fervenza do Toxa forms part of the Sistema Fluvial Ulla-Deza, a protected ecological corridor in the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, designated a Site of Community Importance. The designation recognizes habitats and species of European conservation interest, placing the river corridor and surrounding woodland within a wider structure for nature protection. Visitors can help safeguard the area by staying on marked paths and taking litter with them. They should also avoid disturbing wildlife and vegetation. Take particular care near the gorge’s edges and on wet sections of the trail.
A Hobbit-Inspired Culinary Stop
A nearby restaurant styled like a hobbit house adds a distinctive stop to a day of walking in the Deza region. The area’s rural hospitality also gives visitors a base for exploring its natural and cultural attractions, along with local cuisine and traditional Galician dishes.
Other places in Galicia where visitors can combine water and outdoor scenery include the cascades at Parque da Natureza do Río Barosa and Praia das Furnas in Porto do Son, where waterfalls meet the coast.
