Magic forest of A Cortiña (San Sadurniño). Almost 20 years ago was born in San Sadurniño, in the region of Ferrol, an environmental project with the intention of preserving our most precious tree species. It is represented the carballeira (oak forest), the souto (chestnut forest), the birch grove, the riparian forest, the beech forest, the cork oak forest and the fraga (forest of various species). In addition to these wooded areas, there is the Campón, a large central space. What began as an arboretum became a magical fraga, thanks to the work of 2duendes (Carlos García and Marina Goti), who filled it with colorful sculptures and games, carved in dry trunks of oak, chestnut, cypress and acacia, using a chainsaw. Thus, we enter a fantastic world, among gnomes, goblins, houses, squirrels…. There is also an area with tables to recharge your batteries and a river route along the Xubia, a sure success!
Mythological path of Mount Viso (Santiago de Compostela). It seems incredible that so close to the city center we find this place, where you can enjoy a walk through the mountain among the most ancient figures of our mythology and, incidentally, admire the best views of Santiago. There is an access near the Cidade da Cultura and another by the roads of O Viso and the parish of Aríns. This is a revealing place for those who have never seen a lamia or a meiga, for example. Here we are shown a lot of legendary beings, represented in figures made by Manuel Méndez Rodríguez: the lamia, the coca, the nubeiro, Breogán, mouros, meiga, moura, gatipedro, biosbardos…
Dream Walk (Vilalba). Very close to the urban center, begins a fluvial walk that accompanies the Madalena river for about 3 km. It starts at the O Ráñego mill and ends at the Os Freire fountain. The path is very comfortable, with wooden walkways along the entire route. In addition to the walk along the river, we cross a recreational area, the bridge, mills, a river beach … But the special thing about the route is that every 100 meters, there is a literary hectometer, where, through an original sculpture, tribute is paid to an important person of Terra Chá. At the moment there are 17, the last one dedicated to the Coira brothers.
Footbridges of the river Mao (Parada de Sil). This is one of the many routes that we can do in the Ribeira Sacra. It takes us along the banks of the Mao, a tributary of the Sil, from the old Fábrica de luz, now a hostel. The walk runs along wooden walkways that are adapted to the relief, some quite high, leaving the river far below, giving us the feeling of walking among the treetops. There are also stretches of stairs and viewpoints. Here it also passes the route of the Mao River Canyon (PR-G177) and even a mountain bike route, but they are harder to go with children.
Route of the senses (Esmelle). Here is the forest of Esmelle! Thanks to the project of the neighborhood association of O Val de Esmelle, the ethnographic heritage has been recovered in this area of the valley, on the banks of the Xuncal and Migués rivers. In this route, easy to do with the family, 3 km long, we pass by 8 mills, a wash house, fountains and the church of San Xoán de Esmelle. They also wanted to make a nod to the forest of Esmelle that appears in the book Merlín e familia by Álvaro Cunqueiro, making Merlín himself, through the signposts, the guide of our route.
Coroño River Estuary Adventure Park (Boiro). Between Barraña beach, or Xardín, and the estuary of the Coroño river, there is a park that is hard to get tired of. A great extension between the trees with a good repertoire of amusements: swings, zip lines, skill circuits, climbing games, ropes, bridges, slides, playhouses… All of them with a design very much in keeping with the surrounding nature. After a session in the park, we may want to take a dip in the beach in front of the park to finish off the day.
Carballolandia (Chantada). Hasn’t it ever occurred to anyone to pay homage to the carballo? Well, in Chantada, yes. Anxo Moure, soul of the project that transformed A Chousa das Férvedas, in Garabelos, into an ecopark, was in charge of it. A place with many trees, crossed by a stream of the river da Ponte, with a universe of its own, where recycling and imagination prevail, full of attractions and characters created by Anxo, the “carballo with boots”, which seems to be taken from a fairy tale. The farm is private and can be rented for an afternoon or a whole day.
Ant village (Outeiro de Rei). In this village live the giant ants of San Clodio. They welcome us with a “once upon a time” that invites us to immerse ourselves in an imaginary world. Ants in different situations: at school, in a spaceship, on a motorcycle… The creator of this universe is José Ramón Rodríguez, who also leaves us with giant bees, birds, snakes… All made from recycled material. Visitors are encouraged to leave their own creations. At the exit, at the Martiño piggy bank, we can leave a donation to help maintain this anthill universe.
Ecoespazo O Rexo (Allariz). It was a great idea to recover an abandoned space to revitalize the rural economy of the area. Since 2000 it has been used for industrial, livestock, agricultural and forestry purposes. The Escola Silvo-Pastoril do Rexo and the Environmental Education Center were founded. One of its attractions is the area intervened by the artist Agustín Ibarrola, who contributed his colorful vision. There is a 7 km circular hiking route that leaves from Val do Rexo and runs through the Padela area, going up the mountain, from where we have good views of the whole area. To get to know the area in depth, guided tours are offered, which may include tastings and workshops.
Park of the senses (Marín). This park is also known as the Granxa dos Briz. It has an adventure area, to put all the senses to work, of course, with games of a design that seems to continue nature, designed to run, jump, imagine. It also has an open-air auditorium and three buildings: the main building, which houses municipal offices, the cellar house, a traditional house and the house of the landlords. Some attractions are one hundred percent musical, such as the xylophones.
