a0271 - Natural Pools and waterfalls of Siurana

Siurana is a mountain top village in prades mountain range overlooking the Siurana Reservoir. the village is in the municipality of the Cornudella de Montsant in the county of Priorat, Tarragona region. Siurana was the last Muslim enclave to fall to the Christians in Catalonia in 1153.

Abdelazia, the Moorish queen, rather than be subjected to the Christians, preferred to throw herself off the cliff with her horse. The animal, in its futile resistance, left the footprint of its horseshoe marked on the rock forever. With the end of the queen, the last Saracen stronghold in Catalonia disappeared.

The town consists of charming stone houses and cobled streets with a castle ruin and sits atop a rocky limestone cliff that provides excelent routes for climbers. Siurana river baisin is also a popular hiking area with its waterfalls and natural pools.

This circular 13Km hiking route starts and ends from the castle ruin and descends the limestone cliffs to the Siurana river basin passing Moli de l'Esquirola watermill ruin and mill stone. The route ascends the other side of the river valley to a plateu path passing Mas d'en Ribelles de Dalt farmhouse ruin. Here the path turns into the forest and arrives at Gorg del mas de Frares waterfall descending down parallel to the river passing many more waterfalls and pools.

The must see waterfall is Gorgs de La Febro which can be found where the path crosses the Barranc de Foradada river. There is a rock formation with an opening which is the outlet for the plunge pool of Febro waterfall and is a beutiful natural swimming pool.

The return route to the village is via the same descending cliff path that arrives back at the castle or continuing around the headland for views of the Siurana Reservoir and taking an ascending path up to the other side of the village.