Sotillo Waterfall Walk

Trail 6 of the Natural Park leaves from Sotillo de Sanabria and climbs through a very well-preserved damp forest, with large holly trees, to the waterfall on the Sotillo stream. The Junta describes it as a circular route of 6 km and about 400 m of ascent, three hours on foot and medium difficulty. It is one of the most beautiful short routes in the park and the one that best shows the forest of the sierra.

What you will see

The path gains height among oaks and large holly trees, in one of the best-preserved forests in the park. The waterfall comes down from the Sotillo stream, which rises above, on the plateau of the lakes. It is at its best with more water, in winter and spring; at the end of summer it carries much less. In its mountains the park gathers more than twenty glacial lakes, and the Sotillo lake is one of them, though beyond this short route.

Variants

Those who want more have trail 5, from Ribadelago Nuevo to the Sotillo lake: linear, 12 km, about six hours and 600 m of ascent, medium-high difficulty. The official leaflet recommends coming down from the lake towards Sotillo by the link with trail 6, precisely to see the waterfalls. It is a full mountain day, with two cars or an agreed return.

There is also a traditional path between Ribadelago and Sotillo de Sanabria: the Zamora Provincial Council's beach catalogue places its start about 700 metres from Custa Llago beach and a kilometre from La Viquiella beach, on the ZA-104 road. It is useful for combining the waterfall with an afternoon at the lake beaches.

Practical tips

Wear boots with a good sole: with ice or heavy rain the path is slippery. In winter, ask about snow beforehand at the Park House, in Rabanillo, where they also give you the trail map. Allow three hours with stops and do not leave the marked path around the waterfall, where wet rocks are deceptive.

For children, it is a good first mountain route if they already walk well for a few hours, because the reward comes halfway. Sotillo de Sanabria is south of the lake, so the route fits well with the lake and monks trail over a weekend, or with a visit to the Wolf Centre the next day.