Turismo de Galicia

A world of big trees, wolves, roe deer and wild horses that 2,000 years ago was already crossed over from north to south along the Via Nova built by the Romans to link Astorga and Braga. 

The legions no longer pass through here but, instead, you can find lovely scenery in the towns and roads of the park. Wonders such as the A Fecha waterfalls, or amazing villages such as Casola, built on land with a 20% slope. And, also, unexpected findings such as "Cachena" cows, a small breed with huge horns.

This is the “raia seca”, for the border layout is not located around the rivers but high up in the mountains: O Laboreiro, Queguas and Quinxo in the north; Santa Eufemia, O Xurés and O Pisco, in the south. The highest peaks are 1,500 metres high and combine the smooth forms of the old Galician mountains with the most rugged peaks. Needles and bolos (granite stones), which time has balanced in complicated equilibrium, are one of the distinguishing marks of the area.

Here we will find megalithic monuments, legends of gold and evidence of the passing of the Roman soldiers along the XVIII or Vía Nova road. Still standing are the milestones that were left on the road that joined the Roman capitals of Braga and Astorga through the only natural way through these mountains, the mythical Portela do Home, border access point to Portuguese territory.

The traditional constructions like mills, walled beehives (alvarizas), shepherds’ cabins (chivanas), raised granaries (hórreos), ovens, roads and walls reveal the most creative soul of its inhabitants. A heritage from the traditions still kept alive in the dozen villages which until the present day have kept agriculture and fishing alive in the Park. Villages like those of O Couto Mixto, the territory which, until 1868, had a statute of privilege independent of Spain and Portugal.