Riofrío – Spring, Trout and Organic Caviar

In 2019, the spring in Riofrío was declared a mixed-type natural monument. Nature, history, fishing and gastronomy are the themes through which you can discover the area from different perspectives.

Nature

The natural monument consists of several springs extending over approximately 500 metres. The spring’s pure waters favour the presence of aquatic fauna such as trout, eels, barbel and carp. In the protected areas of the river in Riofrío, you can observe trout.

The spring is freely accessible at no cost. From the Puente Romano, follow the course of the river upstream to reach the spring area. The route to the source of the Río Frío is a short, easy hiking trail that passes through the spring area and by old mills dating from the late 18th century; it is suitable for families.

When planning your day, you can choose between a short walk, observing the river, a museum or exhibition visit, and a tour with a tasting. This selection describes different types of activities; it is not a ranking, but simply an easy way to organise your own interests.

The different options can be clearly distinguished: the river and its springs represent nature observation, while the permanent exhibition and fishing museum add the themes of knowledge and historical use. The old mills and the copper hammer also place the visit in the context of the area’s industrial history. Fish dishes, regulated fishing, and caviar with a tour and tasting ultimately provide a distinct culinary focus. The result is not a single, uniform day-trip programme, but a place where landscape, heritage and products can be seen side by side.

Culture and History

The Riofrío Environmental Interpretation Centre has a permanent exhibition on the water cycle, the formation of rivers, and typical riverside vegetation and fauna. It also houses a fishing museum. About 100 metres from the spring are the remains of the only historic copper hammer in the municipality of Loja. It operated from the 17th to the 19th century to produce copper products.

When planning accommodation around Riofrío, you can check travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions separately.

More Destinations

More places to discover: Fuente Camacho, Cuesta De La Palma.

Fishing and Gastronomy

Trout is served in the numerous restaurants in Riofrío. Fishing in Riofrío has been regulated since the time of the Catholic Monarchs. Riofrío is home to Andalusia’s only first-category intensive fishing area. Caviar de Riofrío offers tours and tastings presenting the various stages of sturgeon farming. Caviar de Riofrío is the world’s first certified organic caviar. Caviar from Riofrío has a designation of origin. Caviar from Riofrío is considered one of the best in the world.

For the main travel overview: Loja.