River Barbantiño Nature Trail

Barbantiño Nature Trail runs through the municipalities of Maside, Amoeiro and Punxín, where the route begins. Leaving Ourense via N-120 in the direction of Vigo, the route turns onto N-541 at Barbante in the direction of Carballiño, until it reaches the town of A Forxa (Punxín). Opposite the "Casa do Concello", is a track leading to the chapel of San Roque, where a concrete path runs down to the river. On the right bank of the river is a bathing area, O Banino as it is known, an upwelling of warm, sulphurous water (23° C) with medicinal and mineral properties. Here starts the route.

The Trail crosses several small streams over wooden bridges and walkways, while the restored mills are well-placed to enjoy a rest. A small recreation area and a fountain of thermal water can be found at the trail head. From here, the route gradually climbs to the river basin, through agricultural landscapes and riparian forests of alders (Alnus glutinosa), poplars (Populus sp.) and willows (Salix sp.), until it reaches the bridge over OU-409.

The walk along the river bank is graced by granite rocks worn smooth by water and a canopy of common oaks (Quercus robur) and Pyrenean oaks (Quercus pyrenaica), as well as royal ferns (Osmunda regalis); a fern species widely found in Galicia basins. Before reaching the bridge, the route climbs to the village of O Viñao, and then returns to the road by the bridge.

From here, the route descends again to the river, and continues through a valley that gradually narrows. The greenery of this riverside forest remains vibrant through winter due to the presence of bay trees. This mysterious stretch, which evokes memories of the bandit Fendetestas from the film "The Living Forest", also amazes with small “caneiros” or artisan stone dams, which once served to pond and channel water for hydraulic use.

Further on, the route arrives at another path leading to a recreation and rest area, whence it continues along the edge of a canal until San Fiz, a small town with few inhabitants, home to the church of San Pedro, well-worth a visit.

From here, the Trail continues down to the medieval bridge of San Fiz, at the foot of the town of Santa Baia. This bridge, which has a pointed arch, is on the former “Camino Real” that linked Ourense and Santiago de Compostela.

After crossing the bridge, the route retraces its steps back along the left bank of the river, through a tunnel under the railway. When the route emerges from the tunnel, the landscape is of a backwater at the edge of a small reservoir, the Barbantiño.

The winding route passes under the AVE bridge, through pine and gorse forests, meandering down the mountain towards several mills, the so-called “Muiños das Penas”, which underlines the importance of water in the Galician culture.

A metal walkway leads to the beautiful natural area of “Fervenza do Barbantiño” or “Catarata del Cachón”, famous for its 15-metre waterfall and crystal clear pools.

Back at the mills, a flight of stairs lead down to a small recreation area by the waterfall. A metal bridge allows a close-up view of the waterfall in all its splendour. It is possible to take a break here before completing the final stretch back to the trail head. From the rest area, a path winds downstream along the left bank.

The climb down on the way back is easier than at the beginning of the journey. Until it reaches a mini hydroelectric power plant, much of the route runs about 10 m above the river below along easy paths with spectacular views of Barbantiño. Once back at the OU-409 bridge, the route continues along the path that leads back to the river, following its course to the concrete bridge that links Parada and Punxín, and the trail head.