Lires: Ría, Coastal Paths and the Way of Saint James

Lires is located on the Ría de Lires, Galicia’s smallest ría. It is formed by the mouth of the Castro River and constitutes the natural boundary between the municipalities of Cee and Muxía. Because of its ecological, particularly ornithological, value, the Ría de Lires forms part of the Natura 2000 network and the Costa da Morte Site of Community Importance. At the same time, it is a passage area for numerous seabirds. The combination of river mouth, coast and protected habitat defines the character of Lires.

Nature

The coastal landscape includes the Acantilados de Canosa cliffs in the parish of Lires. The cliffs rise steeply above the Atlantic and shape a wild, dramatic coastal landscape. In the area of the Acantilados de Canosa, a small cascade called “Mixirica” or “Mexoeira” is located on the headland of the same name. A Roxeira (Lires Beach) is considered a recommended place for observing the night sky.

The ría is particularly important as a passage area for observing seabirds. The coastal formations of the Acantilados de Canosa and the mouth of the Castro show two different sides of the same landscape: steep cliffs on the Atlantic and a water-shaped estuarine area. When observing the night sky, plans should take the respective current conditions into account.

Hiking

The Meigha Lirea route begins at the bridge to Lires Beach, below the square in front of the Santo Estevo de Lires Church. Wooden posts mark the route; green arrows indicate the outward leg and red arrows the return leg. Before setting out on a hike, it is advisable to check the latest information on route conditions.

The Meigha Lirea route partly overlaps with the fifth stage of the Way of Saint James from Fisterra to Muxía and with the eighth stage of the Camino dos Faros. The Ría de Lires is also a mandatory crossing point on the Way of Saint James route between Fisterra and Muxía. Thus, the paths through Lires bring together a local circular route, a section of the Way of Saint James and part of the Camino dos Faros, although their respective routes are not identical.

A field path from the Lires cemetery leads to Alto Mellón de Lires, from where there is a panoramic view of the landscape area. The viewpoint complements the coastal paths with a view across the landscape as a whole. For hiking routes with set stages, current trail conditions and, where applicable, seasonal notices should be checked before setting out.

Culture

The Santo Estevo de Lires Church is located on the Camino de Fisterra-Muxía. Lires is also home to a traditional ensemble of hórreos.

Those following the Camino de Fisterra-Muxía therefore encounter in Lires both the pilgrimage route and the natural and cultural areas along the ría.

For the overarching travel overview: Cee.