Discover Cuntis: Thermal Springs, Trails and Festivals

In Cuntis, Monte Xesteiras reaches an altitude of 718 metres. From there, far-reaching views extend across the Arousa estuary, the Cuntis valley, Pico Sagrado, the area around Compostela and the region near Pontevedra through which the Lérez flows.

Nature

The PR-G 123 begins at Ponte do Ramo, which can be reached from Cuntis via the PO-8402 towards Cequeril after approximately 6.5 kilometres. Known as the Senda Peonil da Ponte do Ramo, the trail runs along the banks of the Umia through a lush riverside forest and leads to the Muíños Grande e Pequeno da Puntalta.

The PR-G 123 follows an old Roman road and reaches the archaeological site of the Cequeril petroglyphs. Two circular hiking trails also begin at the Balneario bridge in the centre of Cuntis.

In the town centre, there are several areas for walks along the Gallo, with wooden bridges and almost a dozen riverside washhouses. The access path to the Fervenza de Hérvedo follows the da Patela river to the foot of the waterfall.

The Carballeira del Casal in Estacas is an extensive oak grove with a fountain and swings for children, where visitors can go for walks.

Culture and History

The Igrexa de San Félix de Estacas is a single-nave Baroque church with a rectangular floor plan and a Stations of the Cross consisting of 14 stone wayside crosses. The Igrexa Parroquial de Santa María de Cuntis dates from the 18th century and was reconstructed using materials from the former Romanesque church.

Castro Landín was inhabited from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD and was then permanently abandoned. The historic centre of Cuntis includes covered thermal washhouses, the washhouses on the Gallo and two public thermal springs.

More than 500 bronze coins were found in the “Fuego de Dios” hot spring, including coins from the time of Tiberius, Trajan and Constantine II. The mill of Vilar de Mato continues to grind flour using hydropower.

Festivals and Traditions

San Xoán is celebrated every year on the night of 23 June, coinciding with the summer solstice, in the upper area of Castrolandín.

The Festa do Lacón con Grelos combines typical winter cuisine with the final days of Carnival and the tradition of the “Entierro del Chapante”. Since its beginnings in 1998, the Festa do Lacón con Grelos has promoted the cultural and natural heritage of Cuntis.

Las Tres Lagoíñas, on a plateau of Monte Xesteiras, is where Couselo’s traditional “rapa das bestas” takes place in July. The Romaría do Cabalo features horse-riding demonstrations, a picnic, a fair and various performances.

Other places to discover include Ardia, Carbia, Oia, Ribadulla, Salceda, A Igrexa, Portela and O Hío.

To the broader travel overview: Pontevedra.