Pozo de los Lirios

Pozo de los Lirios is a hidden waterfall near the village of Masueco, in the province of Salamanca, Castilla y León. It sits within the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, an area shaped by deep canyons carved by the Duero and Uces rivers. On local trail signs the waterfall is also marked as Cascada del Pinero or Cola de Caballo ("horse's tail"), a name that describes how the water slides down a sloped rock face for most of its fall, staying in contact with the stone rather than dropping freely.

Where is it located?

Pozo de los Lirios lies on the outskirts of Masueco, a small village in the Arribes del Duero area near the border with Portugal. It sits close to Pozo de los Humos, a larger and better-known waterfall in the same stretch of the canyon, and the two are often visited together on the same hike.

How to get there?

The trailhead is in Masueco itself, near the village church, from where a signposted path leads to the waterfall marked as Cola de Caballo. The most common option is a roughly 4 km route (one way) starting from the parking area at Pozo de los Humos, taking about an hour of walking each way. Visitors who want to see more of the surrounding landscape can follow a longer loop of nearly 13 km that starts in the village, passes both Cascada del Pinero and Pozo de los Humos, and returns to the starting point. The terrain varies along the way, so sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

What will you see there?

Pozo de los Lirios is a "horsetail" type waterfall, where water runs down a tilted rock slab, forming a narrow, elongated stream rather than a single vertical drop. One of the highlights of the site is the chance to walk close to the falling water and step almost behind its curtain, offering an unusual view of the canyon and the surrounding vegetation from that angle. The area has kept a mostly untouched character and tends to be quieter than the nearby Pozo de los Humos, even though the two waterfalls are only a short walk apart.

When to visit?

This is a seasonal waterfall that depends heavily on rainfall. The best time to visit is autumn, winter, and spring, when the Uces river carries more water and the fall runs at full strength. During the summer months, especially after a dry spell, the flow can drop sharply or the waterfall can dry up completely, so it is worth checking recent rainfall or trail reports before planning a trip focused on seeing it at its best.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pozo de los Lirios the same as Pozo de los Humos? No, they are two separate waterfalls close to each other near Masueco. Pozo de los Humos is larger and more famous, while Pozo de los Lirios (Cascada del Pinero) is a smaller, more intimate horsetail-type waterfall.

How long does it take to reach the waterfall? From the parking area at Pozo de los Humos, it takes about an hour one way along a roughly 4 km route. A longer loop connecting both waterfalls covers close to 13 km.

Can you walk behind the waterfall? Yes, one of the appeals of this spot is being able to get close to the falling water and look out from almost behind its curtain, which is uncommon among waterfalls in the region.

When does the waterfall have the most water? Flow is strongest in autumn, winter, and early spring after periods of heavy rain. In summer the water level often drops significantly or the fall can dry up entirely.