The Well of Hell – Poço do Inferno in Portuguese – is one of the country’s most famous waterfalls. Here is a little series from last month, showing various ways in which the water finds its way down the slopes.
If you ever needed proof that Portugal still hides pockets of wild, untouched drama, just drive into the mountains above Manteigas. The road winds, narrows, twists — and then the forest suddenly opens just enough for you to hear it before you see it.
Poço do Inferno.
A name so intense it almost sounds exaggerated… until the moment you stand in front of it.
This place is more than a single waterfall. It’s a whole network of cascades that tumble through a narrow ravine carved into the Serra da Estrela, each one different in rhythm and texture. Last week, as part of the same autumn trip where I explored Rota das Faias, I spent a few hours following the water’s journey down the rocks — from the famous main fall to the smaller, quieter drops hidden just meters away.
And here’s the thing:
You don’t need “grand landscapes” to feel something big.
Why Photographers Love Poço do Inferno
This waterfall is one of the most accessible in Serra da Estrela — but it never feels like a tourist trap. Arrive early or late, and the forest wraps around you with that hushed, mossy calm that makes you forget you’re only a few minutes from the winding mountain road.
The hero photo of this series — taken at f/4, 2.5 seconds, ISO 200 on the Sony A7R V — captures the main drop in its most dramatic form. The ravine is steep, narrow, and surprisingly dark even at midday. A tripod is essential; the rocks are wet and uneven, and the constant mist coats everything with a fine spray.
But step a little further down the path and you find the quieter moments:
thin ribbons of water folding over polished stone, fallen branches shaping natural weirs, and that silky flow that every long-exposure lover dreams of.
Connecting Poço do Inferno With Your Serra da Estrela Trip
Most visitors come here as a side stop on their way through Manteigas or while hiking the Rota das Faias. If you’re planning your own trip through the area, I’ve written other stories you might enjoy:
Manteigas in Autumn — golden light and foggy mountain moods
Rota das Faias — a photographer’s look at one of Portugal’s most iconic fall landscapes
Together, these locations form a perfect triangle:
Waterfalls, forests, and mountain valleys — all within a short drive.
Love waterfalls? See my other photos like Seljalandsfoss | Iceland or Skógafoss Waterfall | Iceland. Or for some more inspiring autumnal insights check my other blog post Manteigas in Autumn | Portugal,or Rota das Faias – The Most Beautiful Autumn Trail or Read more from my Manteigas trip Rota das Faias – The Most Beautiful Autumn Trail or Moss covered houses in Manteigas.
