Garganta de los Infiernos — Reserva Natural
Just 35 kilometres north of Guadalupe, this dramatic river gorge carved by the Jerte river is one of Extremadura's most spectacular natural spaces, with ice-cold swimming holes, cascading waterfalls and ancient oak forests that feel entirely untouched. It's the perfect half-day escape from the village.
Swimming in the Gorge
The gorge's most famous feature is Los Pilones, a series of smooth granite pools sculpted by the river into natural jacuzzis. In July and August the water is a refreshing 16–18°C — cold enough to shock you awake but irresistible on a 35-degree afternoon. The pools are reached via a well-marked 3-kilometre trail from the car park at the reserve entrance.
The water is extraordinarily clear — you can see the riverbed four metres down on a sunny morning. Bring water shoes as the granite is slippery and the approach involves some light scrambling over boulders. The pools are deep enough for jumping from the surrounding rocks if you're feeling brave.
Beyond the Pools
The reserve covers 2,000 hectares of Gredos chestnut and oak forest and has several longer hiking trails for those who want more than a swim. The PR-CC 1 trail loops through the upper gorge past a series of waterfalls and offers views down into the valley that are genuinely vertiginous.
Wildlife is abundant: look for black storks nesting on the cliff faces in spring, otters in the shallower stretches of the river and, if you're very lucky, the flash of a kingfisher over the pools. The reserve is also excellent for wildflowers in April and May.
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