When you climb the A Garganta pass, for example, and cross over to the other side of that mist that sometimes surprises us, another part of this paradise appears before you in the form of vast meadows, stone houses, and slate roofs ; rivers that cascade from the heights and, seeking their way to the sea, irrigate the fields and power the hammers, mills, and fulling mills. For we enter the realm of the blacksmiths ; of water, iron, and fire , where the Romans left their mark. It's a pleasure to lose yourself in its forests and narrow lanes, discovering unique hamlets and villages where the rain paints their slate roofs silver. That's just for starters. And then there are the rivers, the waterfalls . In the Ozcos region, there are several, and among them is the queen, the Seimeira de Murias , in Santalla. Curiously, in the Ozcos region, waterfalls are called seimeiras, but this one has kept that title forever.
The waterfall is 30 meters high . Discovering it is the icing on the cake of a fascinating and easy route, the PR.AS-116 . It starts from the Pumares recreation area, two kilometers from the council's capital, and soon enters a forest where alders, ash, hazel, oak, and chestnut trees share space with the Agüeira River . At times, walking on a veritable carpet of leaves produces a comforting sensation, especially if they are dry, of course. A short while later, with a gentle climb, you reach the ruins of the village of Ancadeira , uninhabited since the 1970s. The last landscape before discovering the Seimeira waterfall in all its glory is an area of the forest where strangely shaped tree trunks invite you to photograph them. We have arrived at the place where, on an information panel, the legend of the "exiled one" is told, who wandered these lands until the end of his days. And, since it's a long story and there isn't enough space here, the best way to learn about it is to go there and empathize with the person who lived it. The route ends with the discovery of the ever-impressive Seimeira, which bestows its name upon all who approach its base.
How to get to the Seimeira waterfall?
From A Veiga / Vegadeo, take the road that goes to the top of A Garganta on the AS-11 until you reach the roundabout, where we head towards Santalla. About two kilometers before reaching the capital of the council, take the SE-2 towards Pumares on the right, where we will leave the car to do the Seimeira route.
The Morlongo waterfall
Vilanova is also home to, among other attractions, the Morlongo waterfall , located at the foot of the AS-13 road . Specifically, at kilometer 24, on the right-hand side heading towards the council's capital from A Garganta, there is a sign that reads: "Waterfall." It's a beautiful spot, reached by a path that, while not difficult, is narrow and steep . It can sometimes be muddy, so care is needed, along with good footwear and caution, to avoid slipping and falling into the river. At the bottom, the most appealing thing to do is spend some time in silence contemplating this marvelous waterfall in its stunning surroundings, a place that becomes unique for those who discover it and make it their own.
Book «Asturadictos»
If you want to know first-hand routes and places like this, we recommend you buy the book «Asturadictos», written by Ana Paz Paredes, journalist and writer, specialist in rural themes of all kinds, gastronomy and tourist routes in the region.
