Inland. San Rosendo Nature Trail. Porto Quintela - Celanova section

Although the name of this first section appears to suggest that the route starts at Porto Quintela, it actually begins at Santa Comba, near the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Nature Park.

The first encounter with the history of Galicia takes place immediately after starting the route behind the parish church. The chapel of San Torcuato is situated alongside the route. The so-called "Visigothic jewel of Galicia", the chapel dates from the seventh century and was declared a National Monument in 1921.

From here, the route heads to Quintela's town centre, where a side-track leads to Das Conchas Reservoir, a must-see for archaeology enthusiasts. The Aquis Querquennis excavation site is located on its banks. An ancient Roman camp, probably built to protect Iter XVIII or Via Nova, it linked "Bracara Augusta" (Braga, Portugal) and "Asturica Augusta" (Astorga, Leon). Before heading to Lobosandaus and Vilela, where a chapel and stone cross can be found, a visit to the hot springs and interpretation centre is advised.

Past Vilela, the itinerary continues towards O Souto and Rubias through mountains with names like O Uzal, Pena Maior or Monte do Souto. These names indicate geographical formations and vegetation. The route first passes through mountains with heath (uz in Galician), then reaches an area with large granite boulders, and finally a dense hardwood forest with birches (Betula sp.), oaks (Quercus robur) and chestnuts (Castanea sativa, souto in Galician). In fact, the next town is called Souto, in reference to these trees. Leaving behind this town, the route passes below Pazos on to Rubias.

The next stop is A Ponte Nova. However, before the Trail arrives at the crossing of the River Cadós, it heads to the parish church of Santiago with a spectacular stone cross.

From A Ponte Nova, the route climbs to Recarei where it passes next to the chapel of San Antonio. The main road continues to Sarreaus, however, there is a side-track between these two towns that leads directly to Bande, where the traveller can relax or stock up for the rest of the section. The baroque Church of San Pedro de Bande can also be visited.

It was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The coat-of-arms of San Rosendo is carved into the arch. Next to it is the "Priorato", the name given to the old rectory.

From Bande, the route heads towards Sarreaus to resume the journey along the original itinerary to Vieiro, passing through the municipality of Verea. The Trail passes through the foothills of O Castro, Monte Calvo and Alto do Vieiro.

This last foothill is near OU-540, where there is a recreation area with a few junipers (Juniperus sp.) worth viewing. After Vieiro, there is a stone cross to the right and the silhouette of Ermida de Santa Eulalia can be seen in the distance. However, about 100 metres before, the route takes a side-track to the right that winds down a slope, heading towards Gontán through the foothills. At the edge of the town is the parish church of Santo André, and opposite the church, on the edge of the road, is a "peto de ánimas". Agricultural activity is the foundation of the good and noticeable conservation of the town.

The route heads from Gontán to Celanova, passing through the village of Cañón. At the edge of the town is a fountain for refreshment. The importance of water in Galician culture becomes evident in the next section from Cañón to Capilla de San Lourenço, where the route crosses several watercourses, and passes next to a natural well used to store water for irrigation.

A typical flight of steps on a wall give access to the top of a fence from the path. Near the Chapel, the route forks into two paths that come together at San Verísimo church cemetery. Opposite OU-540, and near the end of this section, the route passes next to the chapel of La Encarnación, and further on, reaches the Monastery of San Rosendo, where the Trail ends.