Tourism extends its tentacles to every corner worth admiring. Taking a walk through the waters of the river becomes an experience of communion with the landscape that never disappoints. In addition, there is increasing awareness regarding the human footprint in the ecosystem, which is why more environmentally friendly nautical experiences are offered.
On the other hand, our rivers are also furrowed at a different pace, with a sporting spirit. In fact, we have a good number of Olympic men and women in canoeing and rowing.
In these destinations we will find some of the best river routes:
Betanzos is between the Mendo and Mandeo rivers, before the confluence that leads to the estuary. It is one of the municipalities that are part of the Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo biosphere reserve, the first certified Ecotourism destination in Galicia. From here, it is about promoting slow tourism.
Among the activities they propose are nautical experiences, organized by the A-02 Velas Nautical Association. These are routes along the Ares and Betanzos estuaries and along the Eume and Mandeo rivers. On the river routes they use an electric catamaran, with zero noise and zero emissions. It is accessible and has capacity for 6 occupants and 2 patrons.
The experiences are designed to enjoy nature at a slow pace, appreciating the landscape, and with varied alternatives: combined with visits to sustainable crops, with food on board or one of two reserved restaurants, with a stop in Betanzos and a guided tour, enjoying sunbathing, bird watching, concerts…
A Ribeira Sacra, that treasure of inland Galicia, straddling the provinces of Lugo and Ourense, owes a great deal to its natural wealth to the rise of two of our largest rivers: the Miño and the Sil, which have shaped the landscape throughout time. .
In the 50s of the last century, two choirs were built in Miño (Belesar and Os Peares) and other two in Sil (San Pedro in San Estevo) that, since then, can be navigated in the area. And without sailing without more, these waters are also open to the practice of water sports: caiac, paddlesurf, canoeing… And to practice relaxation on its fluvial beaches.
To make a fluvial route around Miño we have four piers: Belesar (O Saviñao); Maiorga (Panton); Os Peares (Carballedo) and Pincelo (Chantada). The stretch of more sand is the meander of Cabo do Mundo.
To enter the exuberant Canón do Sil we can take some routes that depart from the piers from Santo Estevo (Nogueira de Ramuín); Abeleda (Castro Caldelas); Ponte do Sil (Monforte de Lemos) and Os Chancís (Sober).
There are routes organized by the Lugo deputation, which leave from Belesar and Ponte do Sil, and other routes organized by private companies. In addition to the catamaran tour with a guide, tailor-made routes are offered, combined with lunch, hiking, visits to wineries, excursions in a zodiac, in a caiac…
To alleviate traffic in the area in summer, there is a shuttle bus service to the Belesar, Ponte do Sil and Abeleda piers between July 15 and August 30.
Tui, the capital of O Baixo Miño, is in that rich cross-border area, backbone of the Miño, which has Valença on the other bank of the river, with which it forms the Tui-Valença eurocity. The Miño bathes the municipality of Tui from the parish of Caldelas to Areas, being navigable from Guillarei to Areas, although care must always be taken with changes in the sand.
From the Tui Rowing Club and Marina piers there are several alternatives for navigating the river. In addition, there are other pontoons, such as the one on Os Areeiros beach, in Guillarei. We have the option of doing routes between Tui and Salvaterra, combined excursions of kayaking, hiking, biking… A classic is the descent of the Miño by kayak or canoe, and a highly demanded route is the night descent by kayak, from the beach of Caldelas to the International Bridge, under the full moon.
Salvaterra de Miño borders to the west with the municipality of Tui. It is at the confluence of the Tea and Miño valleys. On the opposite shore is Monção, with which it forms the Eurocity Monção-Salvaterra.
With the Miño there, in front of the house, there is a great interest in taking a canoe or kayak for a walk. There are several routes between Salvaterra and Tui to do in a canoe, such as the descent of A Canuda.
The Eurocities Tui-Valença and Monção-Salvaterra carried out the “Navigable Miño River” project, with routes between the four municipalities of A Raia.
