Cascata na Ribeira dos Caldeirões

There are several nice waterfalls in Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões (Cascata na Ribeira dos Caldeirões) near Achada on the Island of Sao Miguel (Azores), Portugal.

From Achadinha drive east to Achada on road EN1-1a. Take the exit to Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões and park the car at the parking (gps 37.842055, -25.267161). From the parking you already see the biggest waterfall (and maybe the nicest one) of Ribeira dos Caldeirões. There are many flowers and this waterfall is very photogenic. I also saw a group that was canyoning at the waterfall.

There is a botanic garden and 5 mills where water is the main attraction. You don’t have to pay an entrance fee and when walking through the park (take your time) you will see several small waterfalls. At the south side there is also a nice spot to swim at a waterfall.

August 2022 we visited Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões and I was surprised that everything was for free. You may have a problem parking your car because it is busy and the car park isn’t that big. After enjoying the first waterfall at the car park we went the other side. There is a small restaurant where you can buy some beverage and something to eat. There is also a toilet.

Soon you will see the second waterfall (a small but gorgeous one)at the mill and a third waterfall, a little in the distance which is a little bigger. From the end of the stone path you can walk further on a gorgeous bush trail to a small waterfall. It takes approximately 15 minutes and only at the waterfall the trail gets nasty. Because of bad weather before the trail was quite damaged and you have to climb over trees to get at the the small waterfall. I slipped when climbing over a tree and injured my leg. But it is a perfect spot to swim!

On the wat back I noticed another waterfall at the mill. But unfortunately you don’t have a good view on it. At the mill you can look down and see the waterfall partially.