Porto – Mountain Nature, Trails and Culture

In Porto, the Porto-Alta Sanabria Via Ferrata includes a 46-metre-long Tibetan bridge, two further suspension bridges and a 160-metre-long zip line.

Nature

The entire municipality of Porto belongs to the Parque Natural Lago de Sanabria y Sierras Segundera y de Porto. Most of Porto’s territory is part of the Natura 2000 network as ZEC ES4190105 and ZEPA ES4190009.

The Porto-Alta Sanabria Via Ferrata lies within the Reserva Natural Fluvial del Río Bibey and the Parque Natural Lago de Sanabria y Sierras Segundera y de Porto. Laguna de la Clara is known for its size, depth and excellent state of preservation; its waters are home, among other species, to Iberian brook newts.

The Río Bibey rises in the mountains of Porto and passes through valleys, gorges, peat bogs and largely untouched riparian forests. Porto’s mountain ecosystems include extensive heathlands, holly stands, yew forests, active peat bogs, glacial lakes and river sources that provide refuge for numerous plant and animal species of European interest.

Culture and History

Portexo is the traditional language variety spoken by the inhabitants of Porto for centuries and has clear Galician-Portuguese roots. As a living cultural heritage, Portexo preserves Porto’s collective memory, traditional occupations, place names and historical identity.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is the most important testimony to Porto’s historical relationship with the Order of Santiago.

The Cordel Sanabrés is a branch of the historic Cañada Real de la Plata, also known as Cañada Real Zamorana; it connected Benavente with Porto and provided access to the summer pastures where cows, sheep, horses and other migrating herds grazed.

Other destinations in this selection include Peleagonzalo, Zamora, Ribadelago, Villaralbo, Otero de Bodas, Fermoselle, Ricobayo and Linarejos.

On the Way

The Trail Running Center (TRC) Porto de Sanabria is a network of marked routes for runners and hikers. Senda nº 8 Porto por Val de Sirgas y Val de Inferno leads through glacial valleys and high-mountain landscapes. The GR-84 Montaña de Sanabria connects some of the comarca’s most representative places.

The Ruta de los Embalses passes the San Sebastián, San Agustín, Valdesirgas, Puente Porto, Playa, Cárdena, Garandones, Vega de Tera and Vega de Conde reservoirs and provides access to peat bogs, glacial lakes and high-altitude pastures. Via mountain tracks, this route is accessible to 4×4 vehicles, mountain bikes and experienced hikers.

The Porto-Alta Sanabria Via Ferrata is located a few minutes from Porto’s town centre. The starting point for a hike in Porto de Sanabria is at the beginning of Calle Cancela; there is a large fountain with a livestock trough and parking facilities there.

The different types of routes, landscape areas and modes of transport can be compared separately; the focus can be placed on marked trails, waterscapes, mountain tracks or a climbing section.

To the higher-level travel overview: Zamora.