Xares: Hiking Routes, Lagoons and History

From Xares, the Ruta da Pena Trevinca heads towards A Ponte. It follows the Xares to its source and passes waterfalls. The PR-G 200 is a circular mountain hiking trail that starts and ends in A Ponte.

Hiking

The Ruta da Reserva is 18 km long and runs as a perimeter route around the game reserve. It passes Lagoa do Sextil and Lagoa de Ocelo.

You can reach Lagoa de Ocelo from the Oficina de Turismo de A Veiga via Xares and Cima Montes de Xares. For this route, follow the signposted Ruta de las Lagunas.

The two lagoons, Lagoa do Sextil and Lagoa de Ocelo, are therefore explicitly included in the route of the Ruta da Reserva. For access to Lagoa de Ocelo, the Ruta de las Lagunas names the Oficina de Turismo de A Veiga, Xares and Cima Montes de Xares as successive points. On the PR-G 200, by contrast, both the start and finish are in A Ponte. The Ruta da Pena Trevinca starts in Xares, heads towards A Ponte and remains alongside the Xares until its source is reached. Waterfalls are among the features of this route.

Nature

The A Veiga–Prados driving route passes through Xares and then climbs through the valley of the river of the same name. Beyond Xares, Iberian chiffchaffs and rock buntings can be observed on this route in the valley of the river of the same name.

The course of the Xares also features on the Ruta da Pena Trevinca: it leads from Xares towards A Ponte and follows the Xares to its source. Waterfalls are likewise among the features of this route.

On the A Veiga–Prados driving route, the section through Xares is followed by the climb through the valley of the river of the same name. Iberian chiffchaffs and rock buntings can be observed there beyond Xares. Nature observation is therefore linked to the route described and to the valley of the Xares. On the Ruta da Pena Trevinca, by contrast, the course of the river, the source of the Xares and the waterfalls are at the centre of its route description.

Culture

The Igrexa de Santa Maria de Xares has a neoclassical façade. It was built in 1010. The church houses a historic cross dated 1624. It is displayed publicly only on the patron saint’s festival on 18 August.

Several fountains built over springs have been preserved in good condition in Xares, including some of Celtic origin. Next to the school in Xares stands a funerary sarcophagus.

The church therefore includes both the neoclassical façade and the construction date of 1010, as well as the historic cross from 1624. This cross is displayed publicly only on the patron saint’s festival on 18 August. Several fountains built over springs have also been preserved in good condition in the village; some of them are of Celtic origin. The funerary sarcophagus next to the school is another surviving cultural monument.

Traditions

A traditional pilgrimage in the A Morteira valley includes an outdoor mass. Octopus and bread are offered free of charge to all participants. There are also skittles and live music.

The pilgrimage in the A Morteira valley combines the religious occasion of the outdoor mass with a shared offering for all participants. Octopus and bread are served free of charge; skittles and live music are also part of the event. By contrast, the public presentation of the cross in the Igrexa de Santa Maria de Xares is tied to the patron saint’s festival on 18 August.

Further places to explore: Ribadavia, Nogueira De Ramuín, Arnado, Pepín, Allariz, Cenlle, Amoeiro and Vilarchao.

To the overarching travel overview: Ourense.