The Aguieiras waterfall is integrated in an area called by the adventure sports athletes in the Paiva river as “Paiva’s throat”, which defines geologically the path of this river running over the granite of Alvarenga. This waterfall is originated through the waterfall of the Aguieiras stream, that results from the confluence of several tributaries starting in the Montemuro mountain, such as the Rego do Boi stream, that feeds the row of mills in Alvarenga. After crossing the alveolus of Alvarenga (350 m in the village), the waters of the Aguieiras fall dramatically over the granite cliffs surrounding the right bank of the Paiva river, until it reaches this river that is at 160 m. The origin of this waterfall is conditioned by the orthogonal fracturing network of this granite massif, and the existence of structural elements associated to the granite that justify its strength is not known. In this sense, the Aguieiras stream would have entered through a fracture in the granite of Alvarenga, a fragile structure that allowed its fitting. The Aguieiras waterfall can be observed through the viewpoint integrated in the Paiva Walkways, and it can also be observed in the Alto do Pereiro viewpoint (Canelas). It is really a very beautiful place to watch.
Location: Arouca
Location: Arouca
