Discover Quiroga: Camino de Invierno, Waterfalls and Museums

The Camino de Invierno follows the course of the Sil and continues via Quiroga towards Monforte de Lemos before reaching Galicia. Within the municipality of Quiroga, the pilgrimage route covers 21.5 kilometres. This connects a clearly defined section of the route with the river course and the continuation of the route westwards.

Other places: Ribas de Sil, Airoá, Ourol de Arriba, Cospeito, Baralla, Alence, Nespereira, Vilar

Nature

The Ruta de las Cascadas links five waterfalls along a route from Quiroga to Vieiros. In the northern part of the municipality, the valleys of A Seara and Vieiros lie in the heart of the Serra do Courel. Their landscape preserves characteristic forms from the Ice Age: cirques, rocky steps and moraine ridges are among the visible geological structures. The waterfall route and the valleys therefore represent different landscape features within the named natural areas.

Culture and Tradition

The Bendilló oil mill is located in a fully restored building made of slate masonry with a single-pitched roof. Its equipment includes a mill basin, a press beam and decanters. The Ruta del Oro y del Aceite shows how the traditions continue in this oil mill. The architecture, machinery and course of the themed route together provide an insight into the local olive-oil tradition.

A pilgrimage known throughout the region takes place at the Iglesia Parroquial de A Ermida on 8 and 9 September. The image of the Virgen de los Remedios is accompanied by two giant figures known as “pampórnigas”. The date shapes the course of the festivities and should be taken into account when planning a visit.

Museums

The Museo Geológico de Quiroga is Galicia’s first museum devoted entirely to interpreting its geological heritage. In five rooms, it presents the region’s geology and palaeontology, Quaternary glaciation, early human settlement, and historical and more recent mining. Natural history, early human history and mining are presented here in a coherent exhibition.

The Museo Etnográfico de Quiroga contains slightly more than 1,000 collected objects. They represent typical products of the Geopark, important materials, agriculture, livestock farming and traditional domestic life. The two Quiroga museums therefore have different focuses: one is dedicated to the geological heritage, while the other focuses on material and everyday traditions.

Surrounding Region

Castillo de Torrenovaes is a castle in the immediate vicinity of Quiroga. In the wider surrounding region there are three other museums: the Museo de Casas de Muñecas, the Monforte de Lemos Railroad Museum and the Centro del Vino de la Ribeira Sacra. For museum visits, it is advisable to check the current opening hours before travelling.

Also located in the wider surrounding region are Paxaro, a mountain, Pía Paxaro, a summit, Campín de Murelos, a mountain, and Vigilancia Forestal, a viewpoint. The different names identify different landscape destinations; current conditions can be checked in advance when planning a route.

For the overarching travel overview: Lugo.