Folgoso Do Courel: Nature and Culture in Galicia

Nature

In Folgoso Do Courel, the PR-G 222 Ruta da Devesa da Rogueira hiking route initially passes through conifers. It then continues through a very dense native forest in the upper part of Devesa da Rogueira. Devesa da Rogueira covers 3 square kilometres of primary forest. It features an impressive diversity of trees. The route therefore combines different forest characteristics within the same natural area: the conifer stand is followed by native forest in the upper part of Devesa da Rogueira.

Culture

Froxán was restored by the Xunta de Galicia. Because of its ethnographic value, the village was designated a Bien de Interés Cultural. Froxán consists of houses and outbuildings with slate walls and slate roofs. The village also has narrow, winding cobbled streets. The restored village structure thus combines the ethnographic value of the village with visibly preserved architectural features and its characteristic street layout.

The Castro de Vilar is located on a rocky spur at a bend in the River Lor. Excavated pre-Roman structures can be seen there. Aldea de Vilar is a representative village of Courel. Dozens of slate houses stand close together there. Some of these houses even share a roof. In this setting, archaeological remains and the tightly clustered slate architecture of Aldea de Vilar stand side by side as distinct cultural facets of Courel.

Festivals

The Festa da Castaña is a gastronomic festival in the municipality of Folgoso Do Courel. It is also a festival of tourist interest in Galicia. The Filandón de Músicas do Courel is an ethnographic festival in the municipality of Folgoso Do Courel. This festival is also a festival of tourist interest in Galicia. Both events take place in the municipality of Folgoso Do Courel and each combines its own thematic focus with this Galician recognition.

Aldea de Seceda is a living museum of ethnographic culture. In Vilar, the Casa do Ferreiro houses a special exhibition. This exhibition includes typical tools and equipment from the region. Thus, alongside the preserved village settings, specific objects and equipment are also part of the ethnographic presentation of Courel.

Places and Routes

Casa da Fonte is the birthplace of Uxío Novoneyra. It is also the headquarters of his foundation. The Aula da Natureza de Moreda has a permanent exhibition. This exhibition provides information about local routes and hiking trails. Together, the two places complement the landscape and cultural sites with a literary memorial and an exhibition containing information about local paths.

The PR-G 223 Ruta do Castro de Vilar is one of the hiking routes in Folgoso Do Courel. The Canón do Carballido in Folgoso Do Courel is associated with descents through gorges and canyons. The range of routes therefore includes both the named route to the Castro de Vilar and the Canón do Carballido, associated with gorges and canyons.

Other Destinations

The following destinations are available for your further selection: Foz, Pedrafita Do Cebreiro, Castelo, Samos, A Airoá, Hortás, Goiriz and Chavín.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lugo.