Loiba: Coast, Cliffs and Culture

Coast and Nature

Loiba combines a striking rocky coast with unique insights into the landscape and natural environment. At Os Picóns, large rocks lie along the coast, their shapes formed by the erosion caused by the sea and wind. They contain furnas and resonant caves that define the geological character of this stretch of coast.

The furnas lie directly within the large rocks of Os Picóns. The outer contours of the rocks, shaped by the sea and wind, and the caves inside them therefore form part of the same geological appearance. Here, the coast displays both exposed rock formations and cavities within the rock bodies.

From the cliffs at Os Picóns de Loiba, Loiba Beach and Pena Furada can be seen. O Picón Beach is also one of the coast’s notable landmarks: O Picón is considered an untouched beach. The Banco de Loiba offers spectacular views of this beach.

At O Coitelo, within the Cabo-Ortegal Geopark, there are rock arches made of metavolcanic rock. Numerous islets as well as sandy and pebble beaches lie beside these rock arches. The coast here is thus characterised by different rock formations and types of beach.

At O Coitelo, the type of rock forming the arches is explicitly identified as metavolcanic rock. This stretch of coast also includes numerous islets as well as sandy and pebble beaches. The rock arches, the islets and the two types of beach are the specifically named elements of the coastal landscape there.

The entire coast of Loiba is part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC). The Costa de Loiba thereby serves to protect its rich biodiversity. The coast, rocks, islets and beaches are thus situated within a larger natural environment whose distinctive features can be seen at several points.

The protected-area designation covers the entire coast of Loiba. As a ZEC, it is part of the Natura 2000 network; the explicitly stated purpose of protection is the rich biodiversity of the Costa de Loiba. The landscape elements named in this natural environment include the coast, rocks, islets and beaches.

Paths and Viewpoints

The coastal section near Os Picóns is crossed by the Camino Natural de la Ruta del Cantábrico walking trail.

The Pena Furada viewpoint lies above Sarridal Beach and offers unique panoramas of the coasts of Céltigos and Loiba. Pena Furada is also one of the mandatory stops on the Camino Natural de la Ruta del Cantábrico walking trail.

The Cadaval viewpoint is located on a coastal promontory in the parish of Loiba. Above Praia Gaivoteira, Cadaval includes a recreational area with tables, benches and information boards about the surroundings.

Cadaval is one of the viewpoints along the seventh stage of the Camino Natural de la Ruta del Cantábrico. This means that the trail includes both far-reaching coastal panoramas and an explicitly equipped recreational area.

On the seventh stage, Cadaval is one of the named viewpoints on the Camino Natural de la Ruta del Cantábrico. The viewpoint is located above Praia Gaivoteira and includes tables, benches and information boards about the surroundings. Pena Furada, by contrast, lies above Sarridal Beach and overlooks Céltigos and Loiba.

Culture and Tradition

The village of O Picón is known for its location on the coast and its ethnographic interest. The local landscape includes the hórreos typical of the region, traditional granaries built in local architectural styles.

Another special feature is the Algueiras of Loiba. They are regarded as the last heirs to a craft that arose from hardship and was shaped by the sea.

Every summer, at low tide, the Algueiras harvest reddish algae—red algae—from the coastal rocks near Pena Furada. For this harvest, they wait for spring tides during the full and new moons. The tradition is therefore closely linked to the rhythm of the coast and the tides.

The Algueiras do not collect the red algae at arbitrary times: the harvest takes place at low tide and follows the spring tides during the full and new moons. The coastal rocks near Pena Furada are named as the harvesting site. In Loiba, a craft shaped both by hardship and by the sea thus remains visible.

Other Places

Other places in this selection include Puebla Del Caramiñal, Cariño, Guitiriz, Visantoña, Nantón, Reborido, Laxe and Verdes.

To the main travel overview: Coruña.