Excursion to Salto del Nervión with children: how to get there, routes and best time to visit
The Salto del Nervión is one of the most impressive waterfalls on the Iberian Peninsula and a perfect destination for a family outing. At 222 metres high, it is the highest waterfall in Spain and a natural spectacle worth visiting during rainy or thawing seasons.
Located between Álava and Burgos, in the Monte Santiago Natural Monument, this spot offers accessible routes and ideal viewing points for enjoying the landscape with children. In this article we tell you how to get to the source of the Nervión, what route to take with children and when to visit it to make sure the waterfall has water.
Where is the Salto del Nervión?
The source of the Nervión River is located on the border between the Basque Country and Castile and León. Although administratively it belongs to Amurrio (Álava), the most popular accesses are in Burgos, within the Natural Monument of Monte Santiago.
How to get to Salto del Nervión by car
To get to Salto del Nervión by car, take the A-2625 road, which connects Orduña with Berberana. Along the way, you will find several car parks from which to start the route to the viewpoint.
Where to park?
There are three parking areas from which you can access the Salto del Nervión:
- Monte Santiago entrance parking lot (the furthest away, 9.4 km from the viewing point).
- Los Cipreses parking lot, an intermediate option.
- Fuente Santiago parking lot, the closest and recommended for families with children, since from here there is only a 2 km route to the viewing point.
On holidays and weekends, it is recommended to arrive early to find a place in the car parks, as the influx of visitors is usually high.
What is the best time to visit the Salto del Nervión?
To see the waterfall in all its splendour, it is best to visit it after several days of rain or during the thaw season. The months of autumn and spring are usually the most favourable.
One way to check if there is water in the waterfall before you go is to check recent photos on social networks or Google Maps. If nearby towns such as Orduña or Berberana have recorded rainfall of more than 50 litres on several days, it is likely that the Salto del Nervión has a good flow.
Route to the Salto del Nervión to do with children
There are two main ways to enjoy the source of the Nervión:
- Route to the Mirador del Nervión (from above): This is the most recommended option for families with children. It is an easy 2 km one-way trail along a wide path with no great slopes, ideal for walking, cycling or even with baby strollers. Along the route there are rest areas and picnic areas.
- Route through the Delika Canyon (from below): A slightly more demanding and equally impressive route that allows you to see the waterfall from its base, but we do not recommend doing it with children because certain sections are difficult.
Duration of the route
From the Fuente Santiago Car Park, the route to the Salto del Nervión viewpoint is 2 km long and is completed in about 30 minutes. The path has hardly any uneven ground, so it is accessible to the whole family.
What to see from the Mirador del Nervión?
Once at the viewpoint, the views are spectacular. From this point you can see:
- The impressive Delika Gorge.
- The immensity of the Sierra Salvada and the Monte Santiago Park.
- Panoramic views of Orduña (Bizkaia) and Amurrio (Álava).
An ideal family excursion
Visiting the Salto del Nervión with children is an excellent option to enjoy nature in a spectacular setting. With accessible routes, fairytale landscapes and the possibility of seeing the highest waterfall on the peninsula (remember that the best time is autumn or spring), this excursion will leave the little ones speechless.
Location: Salto del Nervión, Delika, Álava, Euskadi.
How to get there: 09511 Berberana, Burgos
