The cascades of Teixeira river correspond to two large waterfalls that occur in the Teixeira’s clipped valley, measuring 25 meters (upstream) and another of 35 meters (downstream), they can be observed from the path that accompanies the channelling of the small-hydro. The smallest waterfall has origin in the fracture of the granite massif of Junqueira, and the largest is related with the geological schist and granite contact, having the river eroded the soft schist more rapidly than granite, resulting in this gap. The stretch of river between the small-hydroelectric and these waterfalls is of a unique beauty. The access is however a bit complicated, being only possible to reach the river through the mini-hydro or the surrounding farm, both on private land, so it is recommended to do so with guides.
Here the present ecosystem represents one of the most well-preserved woods of subtropical forests that once dominated the region. Example of these woods is the adernal, formation of evergreen shrub species dominated by green olive tree accompanied by myrtle, strawberry tree, narrow-leaved mock privet and, less frequently, by laurestine, common holly, european chain fern and yellow garlic. The vertiginous peregrine falcon takes advantage of the steep walls over Teixeira river to prosper, filling the valley with their alert call. The herpetofauna is remarkable, with the viperine water snake, the iberian emerald lizard, the gold-striped salamander, the iberian frog and the iberian newt, being their populations very numerous. Among mammals, the highlight is the sneaky pyrenean desman and the otter. In the mini-hydro’s tunnel some cave bats communities can be observed. This is also a great place to observe invertebrates such as the river cruisers and the orange-spotted emerald dragonflies, the lesser purple emperor, the stag beetle and the kerry slug.
