Fragas do Eume

As Pontes, Pontedeume, Cabanas, A Capela and Monfero

The course of the river Eume and the forests that surround it, as it enters the province of A Coruña in the direction of its mouth, form a space of unparalleled natural and scenic value. The Fragas do Eume, declared a natural park in 1997, is one of the best preserved Atlantic riverside forests in Europe and offers visitors a multitude of attractions. Its oaks, chestnuts, birchs, hazels, alders and other tree species combined with the waters of the Eume make up images of great beauty in which botany enthusiasts can also look for the more than 20 varieties of ferns and 200 varieties of lichen that grow there. An ideal place for walking, cycling and even kayaking, the Fragas do Eume are also home to jewels of our heritage, such as the monastery of Caaveiro.

Fraga de Catasós

Lalín

Declared a natural monument two decades ago, this forest of oaks and chestnuts trees stands out for the size of its specimens, which in some cases reach 30 metres in height and 5 metres in perimeter. They were planted at the beginning of the 19th century by the owners of the Pazo de Quiroga, located nearby, which is why the place is also known as Fraga, Carballeira or Souto of Quiroga. It occupies a total surface area of just over 45,000 square metres and it is possible to walk around it along a circular path of just over a kilometre in length, signposted with interpretative panels.

Souto da Retorta

Viveiro

The need to fight against the flooding of the river Landro by draining some of the surrounding land was the reason why the first eucalyptus trees were planted in the parish of Chavín, in Viveiro, in 1860. One of them, known today as the Grandfather of Chavín, boasts of being the tallest tree in the community thanks to its height of more than 60 metres and has been included in the catalogue of singular trees of Galicia. In addition, the entire woodland, made up of more than 600 specimens and covering an area of just over 3 hectares, is considered a natural monument.

Souto de Rozavales 

Manzaneda

This chestnuts forest located in the lands of Manzaneda in Ourense is often cited as an example of the balance between agricultural use and respect for nature. The chestnuts of the trees that can be seen here have been harvested for centuries and some of these specimens reach surprising dimensions. The Pumbariños chestnut tree (included in the catalogue of singular trees of Galicia) is more than 12 metres in circumference and is one of the main natural tourist attractions of the municipality. The Souto de Rozavales has also been declared a natural monument.

Fraga da Marronda

Baleira

The most westerly beeches in southern Europe grow among oaks, chestnuts, holly and other trees in this ancestral autochthonous forest that extends over an area of 600 hectares in the mountainous areas of the municipality of Baleira, in the province of Lugo. A 20-kilometre route, which starts in the recreational area of A Cortevella, allows you to enjoy the place to the full, visiting places such as the source of the river Eo, crossing old bridges and contemplating old mills.

Devesa de Rogueira

Folgoso do Courel

The heart of the Courel Mountains Geopark holds countless natural treasures. One of the most outstanding is located in the municipality of Folgoso do Courel and consists of a primary forest of great diversity. Located in the parish of Seoane, the Devesa de Rogueira covers an area of 3 square kilometres of forest located on steep slopes and which serves as a habitat for a large number of different animal species, such as roe deer, martens, wildcats, dormice, martens, as well as the endemic species that live in the waters of its streams. A nature classroom, located in the village of Moreda, serves as a gateway to this forest and the route that runs through it.

Teixadal de Casaio

Carballeda de Valdeorras

At the foot of the highest peaks of Galicia, the Pena Trevinca mountains, is another of our most unique forests. The Teixadal de Casaio is the most important group of yew trees in Europe, with three hundred of them. Its location, on a hillside that is difficult to access, has contributed to its conservation and although there are several routes that lead to it, these are routes of high difficulty. It is advisable to have the services of a guide and be prepared to walk for 9 hours along a winding route that reaches an altitude of over 1,800 metres before descending towards the vegetal treasure of Casaio.

Bidueiral de Montederramo

Montederramo

The birch trees that give it its name make this space located between the Ribeira Sacra and the Central Massif of Ourense, on the slopes of the Sierra de San Mamede and in the heart of the Natura Network, a special place since it is one of the best examples of Eurosiberian vegetation in the north of the Peninsula. Oaks and holly trees can also be seen in the Bidueiral de Montederramo (or Gabín), a place that, apart from its landscape and natural values, is known for being the scene of some of the crimes committed by Manuel Blanco Romasanta in the mid-19th century, who claimed to be a werewolf who could not control his impulses and whose figure is also related to legendary characters such as the Sacamantecas and the bogeyman.

Laurel forest in Cortegada

Vilagarcía de Arousa

Forests also grow in the Parque Nacional das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia. The most unique of them all is the one that can be seen on the island of Cortegada, a place that has a long history, as can be seen in its buildings, but which stands out especially for its laurel forest. Strolling among these trees, some of which reach a height of 13 metres, with their gastronomic and curative properties, is one of the experiences that make it worthwhile to embark and sail the waters of the Arousa estuary to reach this destination, so close and yet so far from the landscapes of the mainland.

Bosque da Fervenza

O Corgo

The waters of the Miño feed, and sometimes flood, this autochthonous forest located in the upper course of what is considered to be the father of all Galician rivers. In a landscape of lagoons, river islands and ponds, centuries-old oak trees and large alders, as well as ash and willow trees, form one of the most important flood forests in the Peninsula and is included in the Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve. An old mill, the dam built to feed it and the small waterfall formed by the Miño and which gives its name to the place, are other attractions of this space, ideal for strolling and relaxing, when the waters allow it.

Fraga de Cecebre

Cambre

Although its dimensions are smaller than when Wenceslao Fernández Flórez sought there the inspiration to write his most famous novel, “The Animated Forest”, the Fraga de Cecebre is still a place full of magic. On the banks of the river Mero or the reservoir of Cecebre, nature offers surprising landscapes to those who follow in the footsteps of the writer’s characters. Villa Florentina also stands there, the house where Fernández Flórez lived and which currently houses the foundation that bears his name.

Fraga de San Xoán de Río

San Xoán de Río

The course of the river Navea, a tributary of the Bibei and this in turn of the Sil, has given shape to an area of great value, as evidenced by the fact that it has been declared a Protected Landscape. As it passes through the municipality of San Xoán de Río, there is a unique forest popularly known as A Fraga, where numerous oak trees can be found, as well as other tree relatives, the “rebolos”, which also give the place the name of As Reboleiras do Navea. Mouruás is the starting point of a circular route of 6.8 kilometres that also leads to a nature classroom.

This forest located in the municipality of Folgoso do Courel (Lugo) is one of the best preserved jewels of the O Courel mountain range, since the few devesas that exist in this mountain range are very humid and are found on very steep slopes. However, the Devesa of A Rogueira is made up of 3 square kilometers which, according to a study published in 2013 by researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela, is home to a total of 21 different types of forests. In addition to the great diversity of flora, the variety of fauna is not far behind: the Iberian newt, long-legged frog, weasels, wildcats, martens and dormouses are some of the inhabitants of this natural space.

Once immersed in this Atlantic forest, it is easy to travel back in time and realize what the original landscape of Galicia would be like, characterized by its green tones. In the deeper areas, the vegetation of this devesa offers some types of aromatic plants, even showing a Mediterranean hue. In addition, it has certain enclaves in which the mineral value of its subsoil and its caves can be seen. An example is the Fontes do Cervo, a wall several meters high and reddish in color that contrasts with its surroundings.

One of the greatest attractions of this natural place is the hiking route that begins in the village of Moreda, where the Aula da Natureza is located. There is a permanent exhibition there with the aim of informing about the trails and ecological values ​​of the mountains. The start of the walk is simple and makes the first half hour bearable, but as the ascent progresses it begins to be more and more complicated. Right in the center of the area you can see the most interesting fauna of O Courel and a rich flora, such as ash, beech, holly and birch.

Getting to the top and viewing the Fonte do Cervo compensates for all the effort and accumulated fatigue. It is true that the climbs are hard, but if you feel like it, do not hesitate: during and after the journey you will be able to enjoy a visual spectacle that, without a doubt, will cost you to forget for a long time.

The first study and cataloging of Castro de Vilar dates back to the late 70s of the last century in the framework of a larger study on the settlements in the O Courel area. The specialists then concluded that, like the other castros in the area, the Castro de Vilar was linked to the mining operations of the Roman era. But we will have to wait for future excavations to know the specific role that the place played in that process.

Currently, it is possible to enter the site and enjoy the remains of the buildings in which their original inhabitants lived two millennia ago. The weed cleaning works undertaken a couple of years ago have opened the way for visitors and brought to light a significant part of those buildings. A walk through the place not only allows us to imagine what life was like at that time, but also invites us to reflect on how it was possible to build an enclosure of these characteristics, with walls up to 6 meters high, in such a steep place. The walls of some of the constructions extend over the almost vertical walls of the promontory, composing an impressive picture. From there you can enjoy beautiful views of the Courel Mountains and the Lor River course.

Due to the rugged conditions of the place it is advisable to move with caution in the castro to avoid accidents. To get there you have to go to the village of Vilar and there take the path that starts from its magnificent chestnut forest. In addition, in the village itself it is possible to visit the small ethnographic museum created by a neighbor with the farming tools and musical instruments that he has been recovering and gathering over the years.