After lunch we spent our afternoon exploring the gorgeous gardens and grounds of the Monasterio de Piedra. Simply stunning, even though we did have to share it with crowds of others – well worth it to see this lush and tropical place.
There is a marked trail that takes you all the way around – it took us about two hours of leisurely sauntering and we wound our way around waterfalls, past lakes and through some caves.
A bit like a Garden of Eden, I was not expecting anything like this here. Everywhere is lush and green, water all around and even a 197 foot waterfall. Apparently the original monks inhabited the site because they wanted a “foretaste of paradise.” I see what they meant.
We bought a pack of fish food for 1 Euro on the way in – highly recommended as feeding the enormous fish at different places was definitely one of Son’s highlights.
We picked the red marked pathway which meandered through the grounds. Views from all different levels, we explored tunnels and stairways from the 19th century.
Some steps led down to an iris grotto and we found this, and plenty of other quiet and secluded retreats despite those crowds. We explored a network of mossy caves, both natural and manmade and saw waterfalls and lagoons. The tallest waterfall is Horsetail – more than 50 metres high. We climbed to the top and watched it hurtle into the lakes below.
Walking along the valley floor was stunning too – just when you think you’ve seen it all there is another incredible view right around the corner.
beautiful waterfalls! lovely trousers you’ve got:)
Thanks Tanja!!
That is so gorgeous, I’m so happy for you to and your family. Your comments at Gastradamus would be really appreciated. Keep on traveling, nature calls
Thank you!
What a stunning place! So beautiful a stroll, I just love waterfalls but don’t really get to see them that often. ❤
Waterfalls are really captivating – I love them too but also don’t get to see them so much – these were incredible!!
Your photographs display nice light and shade. Good work.
Thank you!
Gorgeous!
Not what we were expecting to find in the middle of Spain!!
That is right! What a lovely surprise!
Stunning scenery, waterfalls are so beautiful to admire. It’s amazing to read about this ‘oasis’ in central arid Spain, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Just not what you would expect in this area at all really – we loved it, waterfalls are so captivating anyway I think but these were especially lovely.
Wow–this is beyond beautiful! I like the idea of meandering through, never knowing what will come next.
It was exactly that kind of place, another stunning surprise around every corner.
That looks like a wonderful place to explore. My kids would love wandering around there and feeding chubby fish would be a definite bonus.
The fish were amazing and jumped right out of the water – a big highlight!!
When I was wee, we used to feed carp who we could tempt to suck onto our fingers and then we could lift them out of the water – momentarily – by their suctioned mouths.
These didn’t do that – unfortunately!!
I’ve always loved this place!! Even with the crowds of tourists (I’m afraid it’s always high season there, hehehe), it’s a magical place 🙂
Lovely photos!
It’s so incredibly beautiful I’m not surprised everyone wants to visit. We just loved it, the scenery is just incredible.
What a beautiful place! It really seems quite magical, and from your photos it looks like it was a lovely day for a visit.
It is a gorgeous spot, the weather was lovely and we had a great time just wandering.
Wow, that looks like a really great place to visit and cool off!
Absolutely – all that water and those incredible waterfalls, we loved it.
Still makes me happy to see lots of water anywhere despite the fact we had a wet winter in California and the drought is lessening. I think it will take a while for me to get used to lots of water again.
Is it warm where you were at? Were people swimming?
It wasn’t really warm enough for that while we were there at Easter time – probably is now though!
What a beautiful special spot. Thank you
It really is, quite unexpected too in the middle of an arid part of Spain – a real treat.
Amazing scenery, great pics!
Just when you think you’ve seen it all there’s another stunning view right around the corner – it’s gorgeous.
The boy is so cute!
Thank you!!
Joy, what a beautiful place to meander. The waterfalls are spectacular! I enjoyed seeing a photo of you with your Son! Thanks for sharing, Pam
Isn’t it incredible Pam – something about waterfalls that is so intriguing and compelling and these were wonderful!! I don’t post too many pictures of us but couldn’t resist this one!
I Googled this place of course and now it is on my ‘to visit’ list!
It’s a great place to visit – the monastery and ruins are so interesting and the grounds are stunning. Apparently though it is always busy but then probably not surprising!
Especially gorgeous photos today… If I close my eyes I can imagine the spray of the falls. Awesome – thank you for sharing!
Thank you – it is such a gorgeous place, those waterfalls are just majestic and we were completely enthralled.
So beautiful! 🙂
The waterfalls and scenery are just incredible.
Great photos of the falls, Joy. It seems like such a tranquil place, somewhere you can relax for hours. Great photo of you and your son, also..:)
It is just gorgeous George, especially as it is such a lush place in the middle of a very arid area, a real surprise. We loved it!!
Seems like a great place, waterfalls are one of my favourite natural features, these look stunning!
I love waterfalls too, something about them just draws you in. These were incredible.
What a beautiful place! And your photos are lovely!
Thank you!! It is really lush, beautiful and the perfect place to explore with surprises round every corner.
This place is so beautiful! Your photos make it look lovely and peaceful too 😃
It was busy but there were still plenty of peaceful spots!! It is gorgeous, I can see why so many people want to visit.
Looks a beautiful place Joy – can see why the monks chose this location for their monastery. The waterfalls are amazing – must have been lovely wandering around even with the other visitors around. Great idea to take along some fish food too for your son to feed the fish. This isn’t the sort of lush place I’d typically associate with inland Spain either – looks a great find! Hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂
It really is gorgeous Rosemary, I love waterfalls anyway, this place fits the bill for that. We had such a lovely afternoon strolling and taking in all those views, the fish feeding was a big hit needless to say!! Hope you have got over your jetlag and are feeling back to normal again for the weekend. We still have sunshine but it is supposed to turn a lot cooler again….
Lovely photo of you and your son too Joy – looks an idyllic walk 🙂 Am much more into a routine again – jetlag always seems to hit us worse coming home! Don’t know whether it’s to do with flying west to east, which is supposed to be harder on the body or just because you’re coming home! It’s rainy here today though the sun has just come out now. We had a run of very cold nights (down to 4 degrees earlier in the week) so lit the wood fire a few times plus had to turn the heating on but it’s milder with the rain now. Mustn’t complain though as it is autumn and makes a refreshing change from the summer heat. Last weekend sounded wonderful – Mlle was outside sunbathing! Enjoy the sunshine whilst it lasts – hopefully for the weekend at least! 🙂
Beautiful! Being near water always makes me feel relaxed and happy.
It just soothes and makes you chilled – this place had that effect!
Wow, absolutely stunning!
Not what you expect to find in the middle of an arid part of Spain – we loved it!