A visit to the 'Pit of Hell' - Pego do Inferno

Pego do Inferno (English translation: Pit of Hell or Hell's Pool) is a secret waterfall and freshwater bathing pool in the countryside about 8 kilometers north of Tavira. 

This is a great place to visit if you have a couple of hours, your own transport and fancy something different from the beach.  Pego do Inferno (Hell's Pool/Pit of hell) got it's name due to a popular local legend that a carriage (and occupants) fell into the lake and no trace of them was ever found. It was said that anyone who fell into the pool would go straight to hell.

The first challenge you face is finding the location.  It's definitely off the beaten track.  The GPS coordinates are: 37°09'19.5"N 7°41'45.9"W (37.155417, -7.696083) and google maps is your friend.  

If you drive from Tavira on the M514-2 you will reach a cross-roads.  Take the road going north (opposite the road signposted to A22).  Stay on this road for approximately 300 meters and turn right at the T-junction.  Parking spaces are available on the right hand side (after about 150 meters).

Once parked, continue on foot.  It's a 5 -10 minute walk to the pool and good footwear is recommended (flip-flops will get you in trouble).  There are a couple of paths that you can take to the pool, we found the track winding up the hillside to be the easiest to navigate, but the lower track will get you there also.

​Once you get to the pool you find a potentially  beautiful spot and in the warmer months a great place for a dip. 

Unfortunately, the pool has limited space for seating and can get very busy and crowded during high season, weekends and public holidays.  Unfortunately, there are no facilities at the pool and no collection of litter and the surrounding area looks neglected. It certainly leaves you in two minds whether this is a bit of Paradise or really the ​Pit of Hell.

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