Charcos de Quesa

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  7. Charcos de Quesa – Complete Guide

Charcos de Quesa

Set of beautiful emerald green natural pools carved into limestone rock. Located between mountains and pine forests, in the interior of Valencia.

Charcos de Quesa are the most beautiful natural pools of Rio Grande (also called Rio de las Cuevas). They are just over an hour from Valencia city and about 8 km from the village of Quesa (700 inhabitants). The intense colour of the water, the rock sculpted pools and the green ravine make this a unique spot. The 4 natural pools have different sizes, depths and their own names. The last one has a considerable waterfall.

Charco de la Horteta is walking back a few meters from the car park. You’ll see the natural pool from above. Be careful because there is a big slope. Once you have enjoyed this corner, walk towards the group of swimming holes. These are less than 1 km away and the path is wide and flat.

Charco de las Fuentes is the first and largest. To your right, there is a hut with a fountain with untreated water. To reach the other pools, go along the right bank of Charco de las Fuentes until you reach a wooden footbridge.

Charco la Cacerola is completely carved in rock. There is a sign with its name on the stone wall. Continue up the riverbed by some steps carved into the rock. From here you have a good view of the other pools. Keep going and you’ll come to a large gravel area. In the background, you’ll see the most photographed natural pool of this place.

Charco del Chorro has a pool with a shell-shaped ‘beach’ and a small waterfall. The wall where the waterfall falls has a semi-cave. You can walk into it and observe the waterfall from behind.

If you go along the right side of the ravine and continue up the riverbed, you’ll see the weir (at the top of Charco del Chorro). You’ll have spectacular views of the ravine and swimming holes. From here onwards, there are no more natural pools. Since this is a linear route, return the way you came. Bathing is allowed in all pools!

how to get from quesa to charcos de quesa

To get from Quesa to Charcos de Quesa take the Av. Cordera for almost 8 km. Enjoy the olive groves and green mountains on the way. (Check the exact route on the How to Get There section below).

Charco de la Horteta natural pool

Charco de la Horteta is set apart from all the other ‘Charcos de Quesa’. To see it, from the car park, you have to walk about 40 m back along the road you came from. There is quite a slope from the road to the natural pool. Have you seen the iron cable steps in the photo?

toilet and picnic area

There are toilets next to the general car park in the high season and on public holidays. There is also a small picnic area next to the entrance.

path to Charcos-de-Quesa

The path from the car park to the group of pools of Charcos de Quesa is a pleasant and easy 1 km walk through pine woods.

Charco de la fuentes swimming hole

Charco de las Fuentes is the first natural pool of the group.

Charco de las fuentes charcas de quesa

A wooden walkway under a semi-cave leads to the other pools carved in rock

natural pools in rocky ravine

Charcos de Quesa are magnificent natural pools!

emerald green pool

Charco la Cacerola has a sign with its name on the stone wall. Can you see it?

charco la cacerola natural pool

The pools look like stone bathtubs.

Charcos-de-Quesa

The linear route runs parallel to the river along the ravine.

ravine and cascade

It passes through rocky areas until it reaches an open gravel area with the last pool: Charco del Chorro.

natural pool and cascade

Charco del Chorro is a pool of crystal clear water with an elegant waterfall.

charco del chorro charcas de quesa

The pools in this ravine are framed by green mountains.

charcos de quesa

You can enter the semi-cave which runs behind the waterfall.

taking a dip in a waterfall

The stream of the cascade is ideal for a revitalising massage from mother earth!

weir and top of waterfall

The top of the waterfall is made of stone. A little further up is the weir. A basin filled with river water, used in the past for irrigation.

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HOW TO GET TO - Charcos de Quesa

Getting There

Transport Options

There is no public transport to go from Quesa to the natural pools. You can get to them by car or on foot from Quesa (taking the PR-204 route to Charco de la Horteta).

Getting There

How to get to the village of Quesa

You have to take road CV-580 to reach Quesa.

How to get to Charcos de Quesa

Charcos de Quesa is 7.8 km (about 13 min) away from Quesa village. A a curvy local road in good condition passing through landscapes of olive trees and green mountains. Charcos de Quesa easy to reach, and several signs indicate ‘Los Charcos’. In this link, you’ll see the route from Quesa to Charcos de Quesa.

You’ll arrive at the Recreational Area of Los Charcos de Quesa. From there, the path to the natural pools is wide and has no gradient. In less than 1 km, you arrive at the swimming holes. There you can do a linear route next to the river to see all the pools.

Parking

In peak season, you pay €2 per vehicle. The parking lot of the Recreational Area of the Charcos de Quesa has a capacity for about 20 vehicles. It’s next to the beautiful Charco de la Horteta. From there, it’s a 4-minute walk to the other natural pools on a flat path surrounded by trees. We recommend leaving the car in this car park
There is also parking further on, right next to the main pools, with capacity for only 5 vehicles.

Location

Spain, Valencia

Villages Nearby

Quesa (7.8 km), Cortes de Pallás (14.2 km), Navarrés (12.8 km), Bolbaite (18.1 km), Valencia (90.2 km)

Difficulty Level

Easy

Walking Time

If you leave your car in the official parking lot, it's a nice and easy 4-minute walk.

Drinking Water Spots

None

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USEFUL INFORMATION - Charcos de Quesa

Handy Things to Know

When to Go

During the summer weekends, there are a lot of people. It’s advisable to avoid these days to enjoy the site more and also to protect it. It’s always open.

Entrance Fee

In the high season they charge a daily eco-tax for maintenance and cleaning of the site. It costs €1 euro per person and €2 per car. Children up to 10 years old do not pay.

Activities

Swimming in natural pools and waterfalls
Hiking
Mountain Sports (climbing, dry and wet canyoning, rappel, etc.)
Picnic

Facilities

The natural pools area has:
– Picnic area with a fountain, tables and shade.
– Toilets (next to the car park)
– Play area for children
– Parking
– Climbing areas and via ferrata ‘Los Fresnos’.

Kids

Many families with children come to this place. There is a children's play area and more services (see Services section). There are also several trails in the area. Some are a bit difficult to do with children, but others are flat and can be easily done. Besides, there are shaded areas.

Dogs

You can take dogs. They are allowed to swim in the first pool entering the natural pools area.

Skinny Dipping

No

Wheelchair Access

Only the first pool can be accessed with wheelchair.

Restrictions

It’s forbidden to make fires, use barbecues, litter, camp and park in areas not authorized for it.

Avoid bringing chairs and umbrellas. These can not be stuck on the rocks and can destroy the site.

Do not play music so as not to disturb the animals in the surroundings.

Remember that soap and detergents should not be used in rivers and pools.
Also, most sun creams contaminate the water, try to apply them well 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).

Managed by

Ayuntamiento de Quesa – 962 256 001 – ayuntamientodequesa@gmail.com – Contact them for latest news & Covid

Things to Do – Charcos de Quesa

Things to Do

Things to do near Charcos de Quesa?

Quesa village has a few places worth visiting:
– San Antonio Abad Church (18th century).
– The Tourist Office houses a museum dedicated to Alberto Hernandez and Mercedes Rubio. These are works inspired by Catalan Romanesque and Gothic iconography. This building hosts temporary exhibitions.
– On the hill near the village are the remains of the Castle of Quesa (XI century) and the Ermita de la Cruz viewpoint.

There is an extensive network of hiking trails in the surroundings of Quesa. For example, the route of ‘Las Fuentes’ passing through the recreational area Salto del Molino, or the path of the Cinglas between lush pine forests between vertical rock walls.

There is also a trail through the Rio Grande canyon to Abrigo de Voro. This place has cave paintings from the Neolithic period, the last hunter-gatherers of 10,000 years ago. They have been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

There is also a via ferrata of high difficulty (it is a K4) with an itinerary traced on a rocky massif equipped with a cable and steps.

 

To take a dip in the interior of VALENCIA, near Charcas de Quesa, we recommend the following natural pools:

In the village of Bolbaite there are 3 impressive natural pools in the river Sellent.

On the outskirts of Chella is Salto de Chella, a beautiful 25 m waterfall that falls into a stunning pool. The viewpoint provides a breathtaking view of the waterfall, pool and surrounding countryside.

In the village of Anna there is a very nice and well-known lake. You can also make the route of the 3 waterfalls. For swimming, the best is the Gorgo de la Escalera, the most spectacular waterfall.

For an amazing river swim, we recommend Pou Clar, Bugarra and Gestalgar.

Where to Eat

You can have a picnic in the recreational area at the entrance or sit on the rocks next to the pools.

There are a couple of restaurants in Quesa, but there are more in the nearby town of Navarres.

The gastronomy includes gazpachos and the ‘torrá de carne’.

Accommodation

You can’t camp in the area of of Charcas de Quesa. Yet, you can go to the ‘Rio Grande Campground‘ which is 300 m walking from the natural pools.

Geography

Altitude

310 m (1017 ft)

Size

The natural pools are small and have a diameter ranging from 3 to 8 m.

Under Foot

Rock and pebbles

Maximum Water Depth

It's deeper than 2 m in some spots.

Minimum Swimming Level

In most of the pools, it's possible to stand, but in some, there are deep areas. Especially the first pool is deep.

Shade

The ravine has steep slopes so the sun disappears well before sunset.

How Clean is Swimming Spot?

Clean

Water

Underwater

Emerald green

Water Temperature

Cold

Water Colour

Emerald green

How Clean is Water?

Clean
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

fb-icon Like us on Facebook!

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