Pego Do Inferno (Hell's Pool)

Pego do Inferno is a small waterfall and natural pool in the hills above Tavira, in the Algarve interior, and it is one of the more unusual places to visit in an area known mostly for beaches. The word pego means a deep pool in a river, and the name translates roughly as Hell's Pool. The name sounds dramatic, but the setting is gentle: a clear, round basin below a curtain of water that drops over a tufa ledge into the stream, surrounded by green vegetation.

The site lies about seven kilometres north-west of Tavira, in the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, on a stream called the Ribeira da Asseca. The geology is limestone, and the mineral-rich water has built up the porous rock known as tufa, which gives the waterfall its stepped shape and a pale colour. Moss and ferns grow on the wet surfaces, and in a dry landscape the contrast is surprising.

Getting there takes a little effort. Visitors usually leave the car at a parking area and walk for about a kilometre along a track, passing orange and lemon groves and other farmland, before descending a wooden staircase to the water. Signposting has been limited in the past, so a map or GPS helps. Shoes with a good grip are advisable because the rocks near the pool can be slippery.

The flow depends on the season. After winter and spring rain the waterfall is full and the pool deep, while in late summer the stream can shrink to a trickle, so the best time is usually between late autumn and spring. Facilities are minimal, so bring water, and take any rubbish away. Because the pool is part of a small, delicate stream, visitors are asked to respect the environment and avoid damaging the formations. Swimming conditions change, so check local advice and be careful with children.

This is a place for people who want a short, easy walk and a natural stop away from the coast. It suits families, photographers, and anyone curious about the Algarve interior. Combine it with a visit to Tavira and its old town for a full day.