El Club · Tazones

The Llames Waterfall is a small waterfall approximately 5 meters high, formed by the Llames Stream in its final stretch before it flows into the Villaviciosa estuary. It is located in the rural village of Samartín/San Martín, within the municipality of Villaviciosa (Asturias), very close to Tazones and the Cantabrian coast. The waterfall originates after a stretch through a riverside forest, where the water gathers momentum before plunging in a single main drop, accompanied by several smaller drops leading up to it. From the viewing point, the waterfall can be seen framed by the dense forest, and visitors can reach the base of the waterfall by crossing the stream, thanks to the shape of the rock that allows one to stand directly beneath the cascade. The setting combines water, riparian vegetation, and the tranquil atmosphere of an Asturian village, in an area of high environmental interest due to its proximity to the Ría de Villaviciosa Partial Nature Reserve, a wetland included on the RAMSAR List of Wetlands of International Importance. The waterfall’s scenic significance is linked to its location in the Villaviciosa Estuary basin, a protected area where the unique tropical fern Woodwardia radicans also grows—a species protected by the Principality of Asturias. The waterfall is featured in hiking guides as part of the certified PR-AS 302 trail (Camín Real de Carlos V), which connects Tazones with Villaviciosa, following in the emperor’s footsteps from 1517. The best time to visit is in the spring, late winter, or on rainy days, when the waterfall has a greater flow and the surroundings are at their most vibrant.