Discover Monfero: Nature Park, Hiking Trails and Culture

The Os Cerqueiros trail offers a good overview of all the ecosystems in Fragas do Eume Nature Park. The route runs mostly along forest tracks and is suitable for mountain biking.

Nature

The steep slopes of Fragas do Eume Nature Park preserve the original vegetation of the Atlantic forests. Monfero is one of the municipalities included in the nature park, which extends across five municipalities in total. The Camiño dos Cerqueiros leads from the pine forests in the higher areas down to the lichen-covered forests near the reservoir. The left bank of Fragas do Eume Nature Park can be reached via a local road that passes Monfero Monastery.

Hiking and Cycling

The trail crosses the mountains of A Marola and Pena Fesa. Pena Fesa reaches an altitude of 709 metres and is one of the highest elevations in the province of A Coruña.

The Camino de Pena Fesa is a 10-kilometre circular hiking trail in Fragas do Eume Nature Park. Both its starting point and endpoint are in A Marola in Monfero. The Camiño dos Cerqueiros is a 7.5-kilometre circular hiking trail in Fragas do Eume Nature Park. It starts and ends in A Portela de Montelongo in Monfero.

The Os Cerqueiros route is suitable for mountain biking, as it runs mostly along forest tracks.

The trails connect different types of landscape: pine forests dominate the higher sections, while the Camiño dos Cerqueiros descends to the lichen-covered forests by the reservoir. The Camino de Pena Fesa remains entirely connected to A Marola as a circular route; on the Camiño dos Cerqueiros, the start and finish are both in A Portela de Montelongo.

Culture

Santa María de Monfero was founded by King Alfonso VII at the beginning of the 12th century. The church of Santa María de Monfero has an octagonal dome with Italian influences.

The Capela da Ascensión is a small rural chapel. Its lintel bears an inscription dated 1763. The chapel is set in a natural landscape and offers excellent views of the Xestoso Valley.

Getting There

Santa María de Monfero can be reached from As Travesas via a signposted turn-off on the AC-151. This access road is 2.5 kilometres long.

The Capela da Ascensión can be reached from the municipal capital of Monfero via the signposted AC-151 towards Irixoa. After 4 kilometres, turn left at Xestal towards Val Xestoso, Alto Xestoso and As Pontes.

The route follows the DP-3902 to the DP-0905. A turn-off then leads towards Restrebas and the chapel.

Other places include Noia, Teo, Rúa De Francos, Cabana Moura, O Bosque, Serra de Outes, Ribeira and Ordes.

Back to the main travel overview: Coruña.