PR18Cachão da Malhadinha Waterfall

The hidden waterfall of Malhadinha

This route circles a waterfall that few people know. It is not a village trail with a waterfall along the way — it is a triangle between Negreda, Eiras Maiores and Melhe drawn around the Cascata do Cachão da Malhadinha, on the Ribeira de Melhe, with its natural pools. Chestnut groves, olive orchards, pine woodland and views over the Ribeira de São Cibrão valley complete the circuit.

It is a demanding route in terms of both distance and elevation, with more than 600 metres of cumulative ascent between the valley floor, at around 540 metres altitude, and the plateau of Melhe, near 900 metres. The reward lies in the water.

Negreda

The route is circular and begins and ends in Negreda, beside the old school, with the well-kept Igreja de Negreda and the fountain just a few metres away. It is the village closest to the waterfall.

The Cascata do Cachão da Malhadinha

At the bottom of the valley, around two kilometres from Negreda, lies the heart of the route. It is not a single drop but two or three, with small natural pools that, on warm summer days, invite a swim. It is such a pleasant spot that it is hard to press on.

Eiras Maiores

Between the waterfall and Eiras Maiores the path climbs around 250 metres of elevation over two kilometres, with the landscape opening at every bend onto the Ribeira de São Cibrão valley. Eiras has rural origins, in the threshing floors where cereal was dried and threshed, and sits on a plateau of chestnut groves and olive orchards.

Melhe

Melhe is the largest of the three villages and the most lively, with the Igreja de Melhe and a café. Between Eiras Maiores and Melhe the plateau passes through chestnut groves, olive orchards and pine woodland; between Melhe and Negreda, there are around three kilometres of plateau, crossing the highest point of the route, followed by the descent to the valley with the banks of the Ribeira de São Cibrão in view. Those who wish to stay among the chestnut groves without the elevation change will find, nearby, the PR19 · Soutos de Celas, which is almost entirely flat.