A Pontenova: Railway Trails, Blast Furnaces and Waterfalls

Culture and Industrial History

The Hornos de Vilaoudriz consist of five truncated-cone-shaped chimneys. Each of these chimneys is 11 metres high and 4 metres wide; minerals were processed inside them.

The Ruta de As Reigadas ends at the Ferrería de Bogo, also known as Ferrería de Vilaboa, which was founded in 1534 by the hidalgo Pedro de Miranda. The Ferrería de Bogo includes a small retention basin with a waterfall, a supply channel for diverting river water to the Banzado, a forge with a hammer and bellows, and a small power station.

The Aula de interpretación de la pesca de salmónidos is located on the second floor of the A Pontenova tourist information office and displays materials relating to salmon, trout and sea trout fishing. It also houses the most significant collection of "riscos" in Galicia.

A building in the parish of Xudán has two coats of arms arranged side by side, with inscriptions dating from 1583, three towers, including two octagonal towers from the 16th century, a chapel dating from 1764 and a granary.

Trails and Mining

The Ruta do Ferrocarril follows the former route of the railway line that connected the iron ore mines of Vilaoudriz, today A Pontenova, with the loading point of Porto Estreito at the entrance to the Ría de Ribadeo.

One third of the originally almost 33-kilometre-long railway line has been restored as a greenway between the former “Villaodrid” railway station, now A Pontenova’s tourist information office, and “San Tirso”.

The former A Pontenova railway station now serves as a tourist information office and is the starting point of the Ruta del Ferrocarril del Río Eo. The Ruta do Ferrocarril is almost flat and has only 20 metres of cumulative elevation gain over more than 12 kilometres; it is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Ruta das Minas passes the “Vieiro”, “Eneas”, “Consuelo” and “Boulloso” mine galleries and runs parallel to the Turía River for much of its route. The Tirolina das Minas – Mina Consuelo – Ruta dos Fornos package includes a zip-line ride, admission to the Mina Consuelo and an informative explanation of the local mining history.

Nature and River Landscapes

The Ruta da Férrea leads to the A Férrea waterfall in the Muradal forest near the built-up area of A Pontenova. A Férrea consists of two waterfalls, each approximately 7 to 8 metres high. The lower waterfall can be reached by car to within 300 metres.

The Ruta de As Reigadas follows the Reigadas River and some of its numerous tributaries, including the Bounote, and leads into the heart of the Fraga de As Reigadas, one of the most significant and best-preserved Atlantic forests in Europe. The route lies within the Río Eo, Oscos e Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2007, and is included in the Carballido SCI.

Along the course of the Eo River through A Pontenova, there are several river beaches and designated areas for picnics, family days and recreation.

Other Places

Other destinations that you can discover in the regional selection include Viveiro, Sarria, Vilaxoán, Ourol, Incio, Pidre, Hortás and Fonfría.

Annual Festivals and River Events

The Festa da Troita has taken place every year since 1978 on 1 May and focuses on salmon fishing and fly-fishing competitions on the Eo River.

Baixeo is a non-competitive summer descent along a section of the Eo River using boats and floating devices built by the participants. At the finish of the Baixeo in the Pozo da Ola recreational area, the traditional and typical dessert Gran Faragull-Eo is sampled.

The Feria de Antigüedades y Artesanía de A Pontenova takes place every year during the days of the Spanish Constitution Day celebrations and combines antiques with demonstrations of traditional crafts such as wooden shoe making, basket weaving, decorative painting and ironworking.

For the overarching travel overview: Lugo.