Tucked away on the northeastern slopes of the Gredos Mountains lies a hidden waterfall, accessible only on foot: a little over half an hour’s walk through dense woodland. The trail, a narrow dirt path worn by time and use, winds gently through trees. Though at times muddy and slick, it is primarily used by local herders moving cattle and sheep, giving it a timeless pastoral feel.
The waterfall remains unseen until the very last moment. As you reach the general area, there’s no clear view—only when you carefully descend a steep, uneven slope does it finally reveal itself. This descent isn’t easy and demands caution; walking poles are invaluable here, as they offer balance and stability on the loose terrain.
Once at the base, the sound is the first thing that hits you. The roar of water crashing into a large, clear pool is overwhelming, almost deafening. From the pool, a fast-flowing stream carves its way through the valley, adding to the wild, unspoiled character of the place. Despite the noise, the surrounding landscape radiates a profound serenity; a sense of sanctuary heightened by the dramatic setting. The scene is particularly breathtaking in the autumn, when fiery leaves frame the falls, or in winter, when the last rays of sun pierce through the mist, casting a magical glow.
Capturing the essence of this scene photographically required more than just being there; it demanded a technical approach. I used a combination of filters: a circular polariser to cut through glare, a 3-stop neutral density filter, and a 10-stop ND filter to control the exposure time. To balance the complex lighting of the scene, I manually stacked three separate exposures, each focused on a different area to ensure sharpness throughout. This technique, reliant on a sturdy and trustworthy tripod, allowed me to create a subtle blend—smooth, silky water in the pool, contrasted by a waterfall that retained just enough texture to convey its power.
It was a challenging but rewarding process, capturing not just an image, but the atmosphere and quiet majesty of this secluded gem in the Gredos Mountains of Spain.
