Cerdido: Waterfalls, Mills and Cultural Heritage

Nature and Watercourses

The valley of the Río das Mestas is one of Cerdido’s most important landscape attractions for tourists. Numerous well-preserved watermills remain near the mouth of the Río das Mestas.

The Fervenza do Río Mestas is located on the Río Mestas. It consists of a succession of rapids and small waterfalls. The largest fall is about two metres high.

The Fervenza de Carballeiro is located in the Río Pontellas in Cerdido. On the way to Cerdido, a path on the right-hand side of the road leads to the Mühle de Bouza, beside which the Fervenza de Carballeiro plunges approximately ten metres. The access route to the Fervenza de Carballeiro is not signposted.

The Fervenza do Forte is located on a short, deeply incised section of the Río Pombeiro, also known as Porto do Cabo. This section lies shortly before the confluence with the Pontellas. There are several rapids and waterfalls there. The access route to the Fervenza do Forte is not signposted.

Access to the Fervenza do Río Mestas begins on a path beside the road between Cerdido and Cedeira, before the bridge over the river. At the crossing over the Río Mestas, the route leads from the bridge area to a small hydroelectric plant. From there, the path continues upstream.

The Fervenza dos Muíños de Chao is located on the Porto do Cabo stream. This stream flows into the Río Mestas. From the mill, access follows the river after crossing the bridge. It extends as far as a small weir.

The water of the Fervenza do Rego de Loureiro comes from the Loureiro stream. Loureiro is a small tributary of the Río Mera. The Río Mera flows into the Ría de Ortigueira. Access leads from the village of Loureiro towards Agreste. After several houses, turn left towards a livestock farm; from there, the route continues cross-country to the river.

The Ortigueira-Meira area is designated as a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network.

Other places in this selection: Altamira, San Paio, San Andres de Teixido, Cerceda, Lens, Serra de Outes, Santiso and As Restrebas.

Culture and Local History

The Igrexa San Antón A Barqueira is a Neo-Gothic church. It dates from 1920. Its floor plan is cruciform.

The immediate surroundings of the Igrexa Parroquial de San Martiño de Cerdido can be reached by car or bus.

Activities and Events

The rivers and mountains of Cerdido are suitable for fishing. The Festival-Concurso Folclórico Concello de Cerdido takes place annually.

A gold torc was found at the Castro de Cerdido in 1840. Its style is very similar to that of Irish goldsmithing.

To the higher-level travel overview: Coruña.