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.

Xinzo de Limia

The one that claims to be the longest Entroido in Europe has on this occasion a new motive to be proud of: its declaration as a festival of international tourist interest. Gone are days like Saturday of Petardazo and Domingo Fareleiro, the Hanging of the Meco and Saturday and Sunday Corredoiro, but the best is yet to come.

The character: The Pantalla is the central character of Xinzo’s entroido. Its origin dates back to the “castrexa” era and symbolizes authority and order at the party. Hundreds of them can come together and with the sound of bells and inflated bladders they carry set the pace of the celebration.

The day you should not miss: For the second consecutive year, the spectacular parade of Comparsas and Carrozas will be held on Piñata Sunday (March 1). It will be the perfect culmination for the party.

Verín

Two weeks full of party is what the Entroido of Verín offers to anyone who wants to approach this town of Ourense. And each day has its own meaning: Thursday of Compadres, Domingo Corredoiro, Thursday of Comadres… until the appearance of the characters that personalize the celebration: the Cigarrón.

The character: Legend has it that the origin of the Cigarrón is a tax collector and that is why it was not long ago, in carnival, that they asked for money, a fact that even originated a very popular couplet. His mask, crowned with a hand-decorated miter, the jackets, the whips and the cowbells that they wear at the waist are some of the most striking elements of his unmistakable outfit.

The day you should not miss: Women are the protagonists of one of the central events of the entroido of Verín, that of the Xoves de Comadres, which this year is celebrated on the 20th.

Laza

Considered one of the oldest in the world, the entroido of Laza keeps its main rites invariable and invites to actively join anyone who wants to know it. Of course, they recommend not spending much on costumes or clothes because this is a celebrations not suitable for those who do not like to stain themselves, such as the pitched battle with dirty rags on Monday of Entroido.

The character: The Peliqueiro is the king of the Entroido of Laza. His dress is similar to that of the Cigarrón, since it covers his face with a mask crowned with a miter decorated with colorful motifs and white shirt holder, red sash, jacket, white socks and suspenders, cowbells and the whip known as zamarra. The public can not touch or stain the Peliqueiro, but can make it an object of their mockery.

The day you should not miss: The Luns Borralleiro is one of the central days of the celebration in Laza. The morning animation of the Farrapada, the Maragatos and the Xitanada dos Burros will continue in the afternoon with the Baixada da Morena (a cow-shaped mask), the donkeys, the ants, the gorses and the cobelleiros.

Maceda

Under the cover of the San Mamede mountain range, an entroido has developed whose central character is related to other nearby celebrations, but which also presents its own peculiarities. The party extends during these days throughout the municipality thanks to the Felos who thus carry their anarchic and rebellious spirit even the last village.

The character: The Felo are related to the Peliqueiros and the Cigarróns and, like them, is a character that represents the authority at the party. Born in the Serra de San Mamede (the animals of the area decorate their masks) during the entroido visit all the villages in the area and with the sound of their cowbells drive away the wolves.

The day you should not miss: Before arriving at the center of Maceda, the Felos will fulfill the tradition of touring the villages taking the party to all corners of the municipality. On Saturday 22 will begin this trip accompanying in his descent to the Marela. 

Vilariño de Conso

The Entroido in Vilariño de Conso is enjoyed with the five senses, since even the palate has an important weight in the celebration. In addition to the original characters, a proposal that will delight the most carnivorous is added to the program of activities.

– The character: The Boteiro is the star character of the Entroido of Vilariño de Conso and is also responsible for directing the Fulión, a group of people who fill the streets with the sound of their drums, their scythes and their hoes.

The day you should not miss: The Festa do Cabrito has been held in Viana do Bolo since 31 years ago, although this year comes with an important novelty. It will be held a day before and will coincide with the Saturday of Entroido, day 22. Attendees, in addition to tasting the star dish, will see the Fulion parade and the exhibition of drums.

Viana do Bolo

Also in Viana do Bolo carnival and gastronomy go hand in hand at this time of year. Its Entroido extends throughout the municipality and the neighbors organize themselves to take the party in the form of Folión from one place to another, thus keeping alive this celebration that is among the oldest and most authentic of Galicia.

– The character: Boteiros and Foliones are the great protagonists of the Entroido of Viana do Bolo. The former open the way to the latter and they keep the public under control making big leaps with the help of a colorful rod called monca.

– The day you should not miss: Day 23 will be the Fat Sunday in Viana do Bolo and the program does justice to that denomination. This is the big day because, in addition to the proclamation and the parades of folions, the Festa da Androlla will be held, which will allow attendees to taste this traditional sausage.

Cobres (Vilaboa)

Although the traditional entroido is usually associated with the towns of the interior of Ourense, the parish of Cobres (in Vilaboa, Pontevedra) celebrates a festival of secular roots and unmistakable staging. The events are concentrated in just four days, but the participation of the neighbors is total and, unlike most celebrations, in Cobres there are no masks to hide behind.

– The character: In Cobres the entroido is a celebration full of music and gallantry whose main exponents are the Madamas and the Galáns. These characters wear beautiful clothes and interpret traditional dances.

The day you should not miss: On Tuesday of Entroido, the main day of the entroido de Cobres is celebrated with the dances by the Madamas and the Galáns and a series of popular games among which the Corrida do Galo stands out.

Xenerais da Ulla

Some of the municipalities of the natural region that bathe the waters of the Ulla River share a unique tradition of Entroido: the Xenerais da Ulla. From the beginning of February until the first days of March, these characters travel through parishes of A Estrada, Boqueixón, Santiago de Compostela, Silleda, Teo, Touro, Vedra and Vila de Cruces, starring in each stop a dialectical confrontation (“atranque”) in which they remember in satire key some events of the last twelve months.

The character: the Xenerais, dressed in nineteenth-century reminiscences uniforms, head a large army of which the Correos and the Abandeirados are also part, among other characters. The origin of this tradition is linked to the military confrontations that occurred in the area in the 19th century and related to the French invasion, the Carlist wars and the uprising of Solís (the Battle of Cacheiras).

The day you should not miss: The Xenerais will visit Lestedo (Boqueixón) on March 1st to join the Festa da Filloa, so it can be the best occasion to enjoy their ironic couplets while tasting one of the most traditional desserts of this time of year.

Manzaneda

The geographical situation of Manzaneda, in the middle of the mountain, has contributed to the preservation of an entroido that differs in many aspects from the carnival of the neighboring municipalities, but that shares with them the spirit of collective and irreverent celebration.

– The character: La Mázcara, unlike other characters of the entroido and despite his name (simillar to the mask), does not have his face covered. He carry on a small drawer and goes up himself to show their skills for dancing, accompanies the troupes (here called fuliones) and participates in the foliadas (satirical representations).

The day you should not miss: The Entroido of Manzaneda says goodbye in a big way on Tuesday 25th with the parade of the different “fuliadas” through the streets of the town and a popular meal.

Here finishes the summary of these celebrations that have much more to offer. If you want to know all the details you can do it here

Skiing in Cabeza de Manzaneda

The only winter facility in Galicia is Cabeza Grande de Manzaneda, located between the municipality of the same name and A Pobra de Trives. The mountain itself is impressive, with 1,800 meters of height and a breathtaking landscape surrounding it. Regarding the ski resort, it’s a favourite of both the inhabitants of the peninsular northwest and of many Portuguese neighbours, who have the possibility of skiing without having to travel to more remote resorts. Cabeza de Manzaneda consists of more than twenty slopes, some of them fitted for easy skiing and suitable for beginners, even of a young age. At the resort itself the necessary equipment can be rented and classes for the appropriate age can be booked. And, if skiing is not your thing, do not worry: the mountain is full of paths fitted for walking and even mountain biking, although it is always advisable to check their current condition due to snowfall. Cabeza de Manzaneda is 90 kilometres from Ourense and less than twenty from A Pobra de Trives.

Os Ancares and O Courel

The Ancares an Courel Mountains are beautiful at any time of the year, and more so in winter when its peaks reach a beauty difficult to imagine. Fortunately, even when they are snowed, it is often possible to visit them on foot, for example from Piornedo. The same thing that happens to Os Ancares happens to its northern sister,  O Caurel, with the advantage that the peaks are a bit lower.

Pena Trevinca

The Pena Trevinca massif is the only one in Galicia that exceeds 2,000 meters. Its peak is, specifically, at 2,127 meters and it sits in an area protected by the Natura 2000 network, with some 25.000 hectares of forest shared by the provinces of Ourense (in the municipalities of Carballeda de Valdeorras and A Veiga), León and Zamora. The peaks, snowed well into spring, are visible from all around, and call to mountain lovers to visit them.

O Cebreiro

Surely more than one pilgrim who did the Santiago Way in Winter will agree that the most beautiful visual of the Way is that of O Cebreiro packed with snow. This small village of Lugo, one of the most iconic Jacobean places, is usually covered in snow during the winter months, and what could be an inconvenience for those who access Galicia by road is a real gift for those who travel on foot, on the way to the city of the Apostle.

An afternoon at the hot springs

Another unique sensation is to immerse yourself in warm water while all around you the landscape is covered in snow and frost. This can be achieved in the multitude of spas located throughout Galicia, and is accentuated even more when done outdoors. A couple of suggestions are the Ourense hot springs of A Chavasqueira and those of Prexegueiro. The first ones are in the provincial capital and allow you to take a bath at 67 degrees Celsius while outside there are temperatures even below zero. The second ones, very close to the beautiful town of Ribadavia, offer several pools at different temperatures.

Rural tourism

Another good idea, increasingly popular among Galicians, is to spend a weekend at one of the many rural tourism houses that populate the interior of Galicia. There are many and very good ones, and in them you can enjoy both the history treasured in these buildings and the nature that surrounds them. In winter most of them offer gastronomic proposals with menus that will warm you up inside with tasty and hearty traditional recipes, and will make you forget the cold. Or, better yet, they will help you enjoy it.

You may not think of Spain or Galicia as the place to go for skiing or hiking at altitudes over 2000 meters. Manzaneda and Trevinca re located in the south east corner of Galicia, and can offer skiing and high mountain nature.

Manzaneda is a ski resort that offer skiing in the winter, and other sport and nature experiences during the summer months. Nature reserves and ideal locations for bird watchers are other things this area con offer.

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