Lobios: Nature Park, Thermal Springs and Historic Paths

At Portela de Home in Lobios, Roman milestones from the Vía Nova can be seen. This 300-kilometre road ran between Braga and Astorga.

A directly linked place is Torno.

Nature

Baixa Limia-Xurés Nature Park covers 30,000 hectares and has an average elevation of over 1,000 metres. Together with the neighbouring Portuguese Peneda-Gerês National Park, it forms the core of the cross-border Gerês-Xurés Biosphere Reserve.

The visitor centre of Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Nature Park is located at Carretera de Portugal 34 in Lobios (Ourense). The remains of the feudal castle of Vila are located in Baixa Limia-Xurés Nature Park.

Access to Pozo da Seima is via cleared and signposted paths as well as new stairs and walkways, ending at a viewpoint overlooking the village and its surroundings. At Fervenza das Olas, the Río Mao, a tributary of the Río Salas, forms numerous waterfalls and pools as it flows over granite rocks.

Fervenza das Olas can be reached via the OU-1206 after O Puxedo. From there, continue on foot across a stream bed and onward to the upper part of the waterfalls. There is no path or marked trail in the river area of Fervenza das Olas; the rocks must be crossed carefully to avoid slipping.

Corga da Fecha is considered one of the highest waterfalls in Galicia and can only be seen after heavy rainfall.

Hiking and Water

The Corga da Fecha hiking trail is 3.6 kilometres long, linear and classified as difficult. Access from Balneario de Lobios is on foot via a path that follows the course of the ancient Roman road between Bracara Augusta (Braga) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga).

The upper access to Corga da Fecha follows a steep, rocky path with various elevations from which the waterfall can be viewed.

The route along the Río Vilameá is 1.7 kilometres long and is circular. It passes up to twelve mills, some of which have been restored. A detour of approximately 450 metres leads to an alvariza, a traditional structure used to protect a beehive.

The route along the Río Mao passes restored mills, rapids, waterfalls and natural pools suitable for bathing. The Aquis Originis circular route is 3.32 kilometres long and begins and ends in the Lobios spa town.

There is a route in the surroundings of Lobios that begins in the village of San Martiño and can be chosen with a duration of one, two or four hours.

Thermal Springs

The Termas del río Caldo in Lobios are a free public thermal bath. The thermal springs of Lobios produce water containing bicarbonate, sodium and chloride, which emerges from the springs at a temperature of over 70°C.

Cycling

The Serra do Xurés mountain-bike network includes the “Circular de Lobios”, “Minas de las Sombras” and “Alto de Santa Eufemia” routes. These three new routes expanded the network by 90 kilometres.

The new mountain-bike routes run entirely through the municipality of Lobios and are connected to the network of Baixa Limia-Serra del Xurés Nature Park. The signposted network covers a total of 238 kilometres.

Culture and Pilgrimage

The PR-G 28 Ruta de Padrendo runs through an area between the foothills of the Sierra de Sta. Eufemia and the Sierra de O Xurés, known for its ethnographic wealth and traditional rural architecture.

Capela de Santa Lucía has a single-nave layout and a wooden roof. Inside, there is a representation of the Virgin and Child that comes from Capela A Virxe do Xurés.

Capela A Virxe do Xurés is considered an emblematic example of traditional community life in Xurés and also has a single-nave layout with a wooden roof.

A popular pilgrimage takes place at Capela de Santa Lucía. During it, the image of Our Lady is carried up the mountain in a procession; the ascent is marked by small chapels, calvaries and stations.

A pilgrimage takes place at Capela A Virxe do Xurés, during which the image of the Virgin is carried up the mountain in a procession.

Capela A Virxe do Xurés can be reached via the road to Portela do Home, at the turn-off by Capela de Santa Lucía. Continue straight for 200 metres, turn left and climb for 3 kilometres.

Capela de Santa Lucía is located on the road to Portela do Home, near the turn-off by the village of Vilameá, directly beside the road.

The parish church of San Miguel de Lobios in the village of Fondevila is an 18th-century Baroque building with a large bell tower built on a Romanesque tower. The Numismatic Museum of Lobios was officially opened on 30 July 1996.

Local Tradition

In Lobios, the Festa dos Callos Limiaos takes place in the Parque Municipal on the penultimate Sunday.

Getting There

From Ourense, the nature park headquarters in Lobios can be reached via the A-52 and AG-311, followed by the OU-540 towards Celanova and Portugal.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ourense.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Os Peares, O Irixo, Abelleira, Mesón, Xunqueira de Espadanedo, Muíños, Xunqueira De Ambía.