29/January/2024
The Ribeira Sacra is a magical place located between Lugo and Ourense, offering some of the best landscapes you can see in Galicia. It's a perfect place if you want to disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle of big cities and spend a few days surrounded by nature, breathing fresh air, and exploring interesting sites.
But of course, what would a vacation in the north be without the famous hiking trails? Undoubtedly, the best way to explore the Ribeira Sacra is on foot, passing through each of its beautiful villages and embarking on fantastic hiking routes that will make for unforgettable moments.
Here, we present the top 5 hiking routes in the Ribeira Sacra. We'll provide details about their location, route, difficulty level, and some tips to help you enjoy them to the fullest. Take note!
This is one of the most well-known routes in the geography of Lugo, as it allows you to admire one of the most coveted elements of the Ribeira Sacra in all its splendor: its vast and sumptuous vineyards. It's a 12-kilometer route that passes through part of the canyon of the Cabe River, crosses several villages, and descends to the bed of the Sil River. You'll see vineyards built on terraces typical of this area, pass through the villages of Souto Novo and Hortás, and traverse a large pine forest. The trail is of moderate difficulty, with an ascent of 318 meters and a descent of 413.
Augacaída Waterfall to Castro de Marce Route This route is marked at one of the curves leading to the village of Marce. It has a length of just 2.2 kilometers, very short, making it perfect for a morning stroll followed by a nice lunch. You'll descend along a trail surrounded by trees until you reach a detour leading to the famous Augacaída Waterfall, one of the tallest in Galicia. You'll also see some typical architectural elements before reaching Castro de Marce. Once there, you'll enjoy incredible views of the Miño River.
Royal Path of San Pedro de Rocas This is one of the most beloved homologated routes for hikers in Galicia. It has been maintained over the years due to its beauty and cultural interest. With a length of 9 kilometers, it takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. It's fairly easy, circular in type, and follows an old royal path that connects with the city of Ourense. The highlight of this route is the final reward: when you finish, you'll have reached the fantastic monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, an architectural gem of Galician Romanesque.
Aguas Santas Spa – Alto de Castillón Route This route starts at the spa, where you can park your car without any problem. You'll encounter a gentle ascent until you reach O Castillón, where you'll see two sanctuaries characteristic of Galician Romanesque architecture nestled in the shade of oaks and chestnut trees. The route is somewhat long, exceeding 13 kilometers, but you shouldn't worry as it's quite easy. With minimal elevation gain and a maximum altitude of 572 meters, it's a circular walk that will allow you to stretch your legs while admiring the architecture and nature of the area.
A Cruz – Pena Pombeira Route This route allows you to admire the Sil River canyon from two spectacular viewpoints. Firstly, the A Cruz viewpoint, named after a large granite cross placed there over 70 years ago. Secondly, Pena Pombeira, within Pantón, from where you'll see the Lemos Valley and other points of interest in the Ribeira Sacra. The route is of low difficulty, with a length of 8.5 kilometers and an elevation gain of 184 meters up and down. It's a very easy route that you can complete in just 2 hours, making it perfect for children or pets.
What hiking trails are near O Canto da Terra? Most of the routes mentioned above can be easily done if you stay at O Canto da Terra, a rural house in the Ribeira Sacra. For the Vineyards Trail, you can reach the starting point with a short 15-minute drive. The same goes for A Cruz – Pena Pombeira, which you can easily reach as it's just 16 kilometers away. Lastly, the closest one is undoubtedly the trail starting at the Aguas Santas Spa, only 2 kilometers from the house.
What other activities can you do near O Canto da Terra? Some of the best experiences at O Canto da Terra are also beyond its hiking trails. If you want to spend a fantastic weekend, you can stay in one of our cozy rooms or apartments and take a catamaran ride on the Sil River. Another option you'll love is the Wellness Experience, where you can stay with us and enjoy the Aguas Santas Spa, surrounded by
breathtaking landscapes. Lastly, you have the option of visiting the best wineries in Ribeira Sacra and tasting one of their famous wines.
All these experiences can be lived thanks to one of our gift vouchers. Get one and surprise your partner, family, or friends with a unique experience in one of the most beautiful and magical places in Galicia's geography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to start a route in Ribeira Sacra? If you want to start a route in Ribeira Sacra, a good starting point is Monforte de Lemos, a beautiful town near Pantón and the O Canto da Terra house.
How many kilometers is Ribeira Sacra? Ribeira Sacra is a candidate for World Heritage status with an area of 407 kilometers.
What to see in Ribeira Sacra in 1 day? One of the best plans you can make in Ribeira Sacra in one day is to visit the Sil Canyons, take a route that ends at a monastery like Santo Estevo de Ribas, and finish with a meal at a typical place like O Curtiñeiro in Parada de Sil.
