Getting there was never easy but now it has become virtually impossible after a fire destroyed the remaining walkways to Pego do Inferno, a stunning waterfall found in Tavira and considered one of the eastern Algarve’s most popular attractions.
The blaze broke out last Saturday (June 22) and consumed around three hectares of land, destroying the whole area around the waterfall.
Although Pego do Inferno has not been officially open to visitors since a fire caused considerable damage to the area in 2012, the waterfall remained one of the main attractions of the municipality and was visited every day by hundreds of people.
It became something of an ‘open secret’, motivating local residents and holidaymakers to venture into rural Tavira to find the stunning cascade, the largest of three waterfalls in the Asseca river valley, and swim in the lake.
In 2011, Pego do Inferno made headlines over vandalism and safety issues. The council even closed the site to safeguard the area, but after the 2012 fire, Pego do Inferno was never the same.
For some time, there were ‘no entry’ signs at the spot, but eventually they were removed. The waterfall even dried up occasionally and pictures of the neglect that the beauty spot had been subjected to were often posted on social media.
Eventually in 2017, a clean-up was carried out and water started flowing consistently again, leading to a new wave of interest in the area.
Tavira mayor Jorge Botelho had said in the past that he hoped to rebuild the paths to the waterfall, but the plans never materialised.
Speaking to Correio da Manhã tabloid, he said that the council had recently carried out a “clean-up” at the site but that the fire has now “destroyed everything that was there”.
So far, the cause of the fire has not been revealed and PJ police are said to be investigating. Botelho says the council is looking into the possibility of renovating the area so that the waterfall can be opened to the public again.
Why is it called Pego do Inferno?
The most popular story is that a carriage fell into the lake and was never found. As divers were allegedly unable to find the bottom of the lake, it became known as ‘Pego do Inferno’ (Hell’s Pit).
Locals also speak of underwater tunnels that connect to the Guadiana and Gilão rivers.
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
Photo: Pego do Inferno pictured in 2018
Photo by: MICHAEL BRUXO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
