There is tourism to rest, relax, disconnect, have a quiet life… But, for the most lively people, who are looking for strong emotions, a good option is active tourism, in search of adventures and new experiences, and if they are with helmet, better. It’s time to talk about… high-risk tourism!
In the interior of Mariña Lugo, near Asturias, is A Pontenova, a municipality crossed by the Eo that belongs to the Oscos-Eo and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve. The landscape is marked by imposing brick blast furnaces and other remains of mining. Well, how about a panoramic view of the area from a height of 80 m? We just have to jump down one of the longest zip lines in Galicia: the As Minas zip line, over 300 m long. The facility is inspired by the old aerial tramway that carried ore from Mina Consuelo to Mina Boulloso. Be careful, we can only climb if we weigh between 50 and 110 kg, the wind will not blow us away, or the cables will not give way… The route lasts 40 seconds, but it is well worth it. In addition to going on a zip line, you can visit the Mina Consuelo, do the Ruta de los Hornos, or ride a quad along the Vía Verde. By the way, didn’t Eo pass through here? Well, yes, and we can descend it by canoe, calmly, or through the rapids, wildly.
The Mazaricos zip line, in the Naturmaz Adventure Park, is another of the long ones: no less than 330 m long from 77 m high. From the top we enjoy views that range from the Val de Dumbría to Mount Pindo. In the park, there is also a 12 m high climbing wall, a circuit with suspension bridges, paintball fields, a flying track, archery, kayak routes.
And, without leaving the helmet, we continue touring the heights, this time clinging to the cliffs of Cedeira, to travel the first via ferrata in Galicia following the Senda do Santo. Via ferratas are routes in the mountains already prepared with fixed installations, such as clamps or cables, so that you can go through them. You can’t climb in any way, of course, you have to go with a guide, mandatory except in the case of federated climbers, and with personal equipment: helmet, harness, gloves and heatsinks with carabiners. On the other hand, you have to weigh between 40 and 130 kg and measure more than 135 cm and, of course, be very responsible to avoid dangerous situations. You do not have to have climbing experience, but you do need to learn the use of techniques and materials. It is advisable to be fit and, of course, not to have vertigo, since we will be at an altitude of about 20 m in the middle of the cliffs of the Serra da Capelada, in an incredible landscape. Also, we have to go in line, so we can’t turn back.
Canyoning also goes from heights, which is the descent on foot through the upper channel of a river. The routes are bumpy, so you have to jump, swim, abseil… which is the fun part. It is important to bring good personal equipment and do the activity accompanied. There are canyons with low difficulty, to enjoy with the family, for example, such as Pozas de Melón; with more important obstacles, such as the Verdugo River, and for professionals, such as the Xallas. In addition to a helmet and harnesses, you must wear a neoprene suit, adherent footwear, anchor lines, etc.
There are more and more multi-adventure parks that offer activities of greater or lesser risk, such as the Ecoparque de Marín, with tree circuits of different degrees of difficulty; the Galipark de Padrón, with activities such as rafting, climbing, paintball…; the Sanxenxo aquakart circuit, where water karting is practiced in a 25,000 m2 lake; the Manzaneda multi-adventure park; the Atalaia Ecopark, in Cotobade; The Lost Tourist, in Combarro, with jet ski routes, the Turac Aventura in Vigo, with canyoning, bungee jumping, hydrospeed, etc.
And both going up and down heights, we forget that inside the mountains there are also things to see. Here the tourist has to wear a helmet with a flashlight. There are several places where you can do speleological tourism, which also carries your risk. In the Serra da Enciña de Lastra, there are many “palas”, the name of the caves there, to explore (Pala Cumbeira, Pala da Zorra, etc.). On the other hand, in Mondoñedo there is the famous Cova do Rei Cintolo, which has the largest horizontal grotto in the northwest of the peninsula.
There are sunny days, with a light wind, perfect for taking a walk in the air, feeling like birds. In Galicia there are several places where you can do paragliding, without the need for previous experience, in two-seater teams with a pilot. We just have to wear suitable footwear and warm sports or mountaineering clothing. And then choose a destination and dare. There are flight areas in the Mariña of Lugo, Ferrol, A Coruña, Triacastela, Vimianzo, Portosín, Chantada, Quiroga, Cercedo, O Morrazo, A Rúa, Oia, Ourense, Baltar…
