Borosa River

Jaen - Spain
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Borosa River

Spectacular 13 km long river with a very diverse landscape, crystal clear emerald green natural pools and waterfalls. Located in the Sierra de Segura, Jaén.

The Borosa River is a small tributary of the Guadalquivir River. It’s born in the Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, the largest protected area in Spain and the second largest in Europe. The river is crystalline, with many stunning natural pools and waterfalls. Hence, it is the most popular route in the Natural Park.

The route along the Borosa River is long (24 km round trip) and linear, so it can be shortened whenever you want. The first 8 km runs along a path with little gradient and includes the canyon called Cerrada de Elías. The last 4 km are very steep and have impressive waterfalls. In theory, the route can be done in 7 hours, but don’t be surprised if it takes longer.

The route starts at the Borosa River Visitor Center (see the How to Get There section below).

getting to borosa river

After passing the trout farm, you reach a forest track. The route runs alongside the river at all times.

getting to borosa river

As soon as you start, you see the stream ‘Arroyo de las Truchas’, which joins the Borosa river. Then you have to cross several wooden bridges.

borosa river hiking

In many parts, the forest track turns into a narrow path, surrounded by gall oaks, holm oaks and pines.

natural pools

Soon you will see beautiful natural pools and huge rock formations with layers and folds, such as ‘Pliegue del río Borosa’.

swimming holes

The natural pools have crystal clear water with emerald green tones. Ask at the Visitor Centre if bathing is allowed during this season.

borosa river route

The route then passes through Vado Rosales, which leads to the gorge or Cerrada de Elías.

start of cerrada de elias

This bridge is where the Cerrada de Elías begins, 4.4 km from the start of the route.

canyon in borosa river

Cerrada de Elías is an impressive gorge in the river.

wooden walkways borosa river

An old fishermen’s path runs along wooden walkways hanging over the river.

canyon borosa river

Cerrada de Elías is the most visited part of the route. Some days in summer it can be very crowded.

borosa river canyon

It is easy to get here. Many people only get this far.

borosa river walkways

This narrow karst valley is 400 m long and has vertical walls more than 10 m high!

natural pool

Once you leave the canyon of Cerrada de Elías, you return to the forest track. Alongside it, you’ll see more crystal-clear pools.

fountain

8 km from the start of the route, there is a fountain next to the old power station. A signpost indicates ‘End of route’, but the most impressive part is what comes next!

borosa river cazorla

From here onwards, the landscape changes radically. The last 4 km of the route is a steep climb.

waterfall

You’ll walk between vertical walls and spectacular waterfalls. These get more stunning as you keep on walking.

waterfall

The scenery is very diverse. On every step along the route, you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the Borosa River.

waterfall borosa river

As you continue to climb, you’ll pass the ‘Cascada de Tres Colas’ waterfall.

Borosa river valley

If you look back, you see the beautiful valley of the river.

waterfall - Cascada de la Calavera

A little further up is the ‘Cascada de la Calavera’ waterfall.

waterfall - Cascada de la Calavera

The Cascada de la Calavera has a deep, rounded and perfect natural pool at its feet.

salto de los organos

Climbing further up, you reach the biggest waterfall, Salto de los Órganos. It is 60 m high! The route continues to the left, with a very hard, steep ascent without shade.

salto de los organos

Then the route passes through two tunnels inside the huge rock to the left of the ‘Salto de los Órganos’ waterfall.

tunnels borosa river

The tunnels have a canal that carries water to the power station. The first tunnel leads to a small meadow. The second one is a short distance to the ‘Laguna de Aguas Negras’ reservoir.

reservoir borosa rtiver

The ‘Laguna de Aguas Negras’ reservoir has a deep blue-green colour. If you cross the bridge over the dam, after 1 km you’ll reach the ‘Laguna de Valdeazores’ lagoon.

river source

But if you do not cross the bridge and go left, in 300 m you’ll reach the source of the Borosa River. The water flows out from under the flat rock on the left.

 

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HOW TO GET TO - Borosa River

Getting There

Transport Options

The easiest way is to drive to the ‘Centro de Visitantes Río Borosa’. There you’ll find a large car park (for a fee).

Getting There

How to get to Borosa River?

If you are coming from the north, go down the Sierra de Cazorla road (A-319). It passes through Hornos, skirts the Tranco reservoir and arrives at Coto Ríos, the village closest to Borosa river. This tiny village is in a green valley, where it is common to see deer and wild boar.

From Coto Ríos it’s 7.1 km along the road (A-319) to ‘Torre Vinagre‘. It has an interpretation room and a hunting museum with many stuffed animals. 🙁

Take the detour here to the trout farm. In 2 minutes you reach the ‘Centro de Visitantes Rio Borosa‘. The route along the river Borosa starts here. At the visitor centre, you can get all kinds of information about the route, surroundings, and a map. There is also a big car park (for a fee) here.

If you arrive from the south, you’ll take road A-319 from Cazorla (35.3 km).

Borosa River Visitor Centre on Google Maps

Parking

There is a huge car park next to the ‘Centro de Visitantes Río Borosa’. The price to park there all day (from 10 am to 8 pm) in June, was € 3,50.

Borosa River car park on Google Maps

Location

Spain, Jaén

Villages Nearby

Coto Ríos (7.1 km), Cazorla (35.3 km), Hornos (44.3 km), Jaen (134 km)

Difficulty Level

The start of the route is easy to find. It is very well signposted. Yet, the route until the end is very demanding.

Walking Time

From the car park, it takes about 5 minutes to get to river Borosa (start of the route), but first, you have to pass by the fish farm!

Drinking Water Spots

There is a fountain located 8 km from the beginning of the route (next to the old power station). There are other fountains along the route but the water is untreated.

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USEFUL INFORMATION - Borosa River

Handy Things to Know

When to Go

The route is long and with little shade in many sections. In summer, it gets very hot, and it is also the busiest time of the year. If you can, avoid July and August, especially at weekends. In September, there are times when the river has no water. Then you can’t see the pools or the waterfalls.

Price

None

Activities

Swimming in the natural pools in the river
Hiking
Picnic

Canyoning

For more details of the activities, see below the ‘Things to Do’ section.

Facilities

There is a 'Centro de Visitantes' and a car park, where the Borosa river route starts. At 8 km from the beginning of the route, there is a fountain (a few metres away from the old hydroelectric power station).

Kids

The first 8 km of the route are almost flat and can be done with children, as long as they can walk at a good pace.

Dogs

Pets are allowed, but must be kept on a leash. Bathing is allowed.

Skinny Dipping

No

Wheelchair Access

No

Restrictions

It is forbidden to litter (litter and cigarette butts), make fires, cook and use air mats. Also, camping and parking in areas not designated for this purpose are forbidden.

Check the depth before diving headfirst.

Remember that soap and detergents should not be used in rivers and pools. Also, most sun creams contaminate the water, try to apply them one hour before taking a dip.

(Scientists have found that sunscreen releases significant amounts of titanium dioxide, which damages aquatic life.
Soaps have phosphates, are also non-biodegradable and harm the environment). 

You may be fined if you do not respect these warnings.

Managed by

Ayuntamiento de Santiago-Pontones – 953 43 80 02 – ayuntamiento@santiagopontones.es

Things to Do – Borosa River

Things to Do

Things to do near Borosa River

The fusion of ‘Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas’ resulted in the largest natural park in Spain, and the second largest in Europe. It’s an ecological sanctuary with many birds of prey and large mammals, such as deer and wild boars.

The best-known hiking routes in the Sierra de Cazorla are the Borosa River route and the ‘Cerrada del Utrero’ trail. Yet, there are many other impressive hiking routes in ‘Sierra de Cazorla’.

There are also many places and agencies for canyoning, rafting and kayaking and Via Ferratas.

Tranco Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in Spain, storing the waters of the Guadalquivir River.

From the Tranco reservoir, you can reach ‘Charco de la Pringue‘. It is a spectacular natural pool with a cave and tables around it. Take the A-319 to Tranco and from there take the A-6202 to ‘Charco de la Pringue’.

Visit the most beautiful villages of Sierra de Cazorla: Cazorla, La Iruela, Segura de la Sierra, Arroyo Frío, Hinojares and Quesada.

Where to Eat

Arroyo Frio (11.7 km south of the start of the route) has many restaurants. Yet, Coto Rios only has one restaurant.

Accommodation

The nearest village is Coto Ríos. It has no hotels, only rural houses that are rented as a whole. There are more options in Arroyo Frio, 11.7 km south of the start of the route.

Geography

Altitude

River source: 1250 m
River mouth: 660 m

Size

River Borosa is 13 km long (but if you count up to the Laguna de Valdeazores it is 17.9 km). There are many natural pools along the way, some with a diameter of 15 m. There are also several medium-sized waterfalls. The largest is 60 m high.

Under Foot

Soil and rock.

Maximum Water Depth

In the lower part of the Borosa river, the swimming holes are not very deep, you can stand in almost all. The last 4 km of the route have deeper natural pools, such as by the ‘Cascada de la Calavera’.

Minimum Swimming Level

It is not possible to stand in a few natural pools.

Shade

In the first 8 km of the route, there are quite a few shady areas. Yet, in the last 4 km, there is much less shade. Yet, this part of the route passes through two rock tunnels, which are cool and shady!

How Clean is Swimming Spot?

The route is very clean.

Water

Underwater

Visibility is very good (10 m). 

Water Temperature

Cold

Water Colour

Crystalline green

How Clean is Water?

Very clean
SWIMMING HOLES
IN HUESCA

 Swimmming-holes

Check out the best Swimming Holes & Places to Swim INLAND!

Salto de Bierge
Cascada de Sorrosal
Pozán de Vero
Cinca River
Puyarruego

WILD SWIMMING
IN ALICANTE

 Wild-swimming-in-the-ocean--beaches-and-coves

Check out the best Wild Swimming spots on the COAST!

Cala Granadella
Cala Portitxol
Playa del Carabassí

Keep it Clean!

The Rules

Clean the swimming holes!

Swimming Safety

Read these Tips
&
be Safe
when Wild Swimming

DESTINATIONS

UK
Spain
Bali
Belize
Mexico
Trinidad and Tobago
Costa Rica
India
Martinique

SWIMMING SPOTS

Best places to swim in nature in the world

Check out the best places to go wild swimming, by the TYPE of swimming spot

Swimming Holes
Lakes
Rivers
Waterfalls
Sea

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