🎵 Audio guide
The River Árrago flows through Cadalso’s land from north to south. It is the largest river in the eastern Sierra de Gata with its source close to the mountain pass, Puerto Viejo, in Robledillo de Gata.
The Árrago riverbed and the riverside forestwhich lines it and thePilas stream are recognised and protected as a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network. There are small groups of alders, ash trees and oaks which also form a gallery forest in some stretches.
Due to the characteristics of its catchment area, the River Árrago is highly seasonal. Its flow increases rapidly during periods of rainy weather causing significant erosion which can be seen in its rocky riverbed. There is also a noticeable decrease in flow during the summer period.
The Árrago flows into Cadalso’s territory where the valley opens out and sediment from the river has created fertile floodplains. There are abundant olive groves, fruit orchards, vegetable gardens and meadows. The river meanders through these, creating varied scenery. From foothills to farmland, the river winds its way towards the village of Cadalso like a lush green snake.
After the tributary Arroyo de las Pilas joins the river, it flows more peacefully and the valley becomes more open. The only interruptions to the tranquil flow are man-made – the various dams constructed on the river.
Closer to the village, in the area known as La Pesquera the river forms a large pool under a dense green canopy – an excellent place for swimming in the summer. The dam which forms the pool was constructed to divert water along a stone channel to a flour mill downstream. The beautiful waterfall serves to speed up the flow of the water.
The next stretch of faster-flowing water passes through an area where the much-eroded granite rocks of the riverbed are exposed and there are slate river stones, rounded by the force of the water. The river flows under the Pilas bridge and passes by the ruins of an old flour mill before slowing once again and forming a pool behind a small dam, creating another peaceful area for swimming.
In a sandy area with gravel and material deposited by the river in times of flood, the river splits into several arms. These rejoin at the start of the natural swimming pool in an area known as Los Cachones, a magnificent recreation area shaded by large holm oaks trees. There is a restaurant with a terrace, a riverside beach and children’s playpark and parking.
Little by little, as the river flows away from the village, it becomes wilder. The riverside vegetation practically covers it as it snakes its way down the valley in a deep, narrow channel carved from the rock over millennia.