Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30; Sat 09:30 - 13:00
Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30; Sat 09:30 - 13:00
Office hours: East Coast USA: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (04:00 - 12:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (04:30 - 08:00)
West Coast USA: Mon - Fri 09:00 -17:30 (01:00 - 09:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (01:30 - 05:00)
Office hours: Ottawa: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (04:00 - 12:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (04:30 - 08:00)
Vancouver: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (01:00 - 09:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (01:30 - 05:00)
Office hours: Canberra: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (20:00 - 04:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (20:30 - 24:00)
Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (22:00 - 06:30 local time); Sat 09:30 - 13:00 (22:30 - 02:00)
Office hours: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:30 (check internet for local time equivalent); Sat 09:30 - 13:00
Ribeira Sacra – 6 nights (with vineyard stay)
Gorges of Southern Galicia
Back to Routes
Low light over the river
Gentle walking through green pastures
Autumnal woodlands
Home of some great wines
Autumn colours in the vineyards
Ourense's cathedral
The stunning gorge of the river Sil
Parador de Santo Estevo
Morning mist in the valley
Stay here and sample the wines
The old town of Ourense
At a glance
6 nights (5 walking days) starting in Parada de Sil, and including a stay in a vineyard with option for winery tour and wine tasting (pay locally). Add a night in Parada de Sil (to enable both walking options). For extra nights consider Parador, Turbisquedo, Ourense. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Camino Primitivo, Lighthouse Way
How much walking?
Full days: 11-17 km per day, 3¾-5 hrs walking
Using shortening options: No specific shortening options though taxis can be arranged.
Vineyards and riverside walking to Ourense
Tucked away in the south of Galicia, Spain’s most north-westerly province, is the wine country of Ribeira Sacra – “Holy riverside”, a name that stems from the vineyards in the area established by monks in the Dark Ages. The country is incised with deep valleys offering extensive south-facing slopes perfectly designed for the ripening of the grape, though with practical challenges imposed by the steepness of the terrain. For many years this was a forgotten area, and it is only recently that the wines produced here are getting the recognition they deserve.
This version includes a good share the dramatic gorge scenery, but adds some bucolic country walking and a vineyard stay. Starting in Parada de Sil, it finishes after an exploration of two gorges (the Sil and the Minho and their associated hinterlands) in the capital of the region, Ourense. The old town is crammed with cobbled streets and historic buildings, and a particularly fine collection of tapas bars, each carefully checked by the writers.
All versions of the walk end with a night in Ourense.
Walked by On Foot Staff: Debbie, Simon and Fi
Consider pairing this route with Camino Primitivo (40 mins transfer by train plus taxi), or Lighthouse Way (2½ hrs) – for more details click here.
REVIEWS: This is a new route – reviews will start to feed through to this page once the first walkers have come back (2023). Similarly, for independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit AITO.com.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Spain, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
Route Highlights
- The gorges of the Sil and the Minho
- The wines of the Ribeira Sacra
- Staying in old farmhouses and manor houses, and in a working vineyard (with option for winery tour and tasting – supplement payable locally)
- A stay in a Parador (formerly a monastery)
- Ourense, its old town, cathedral and its bars
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Remote, Villages and farms, Food, History, Wine
We Recommend
Extra nights in Parador, Turbisquedo and Ourense. Consider pairing this route with our Camino Primitivo and Lighthouse Way routes.
Eating and drinking
Galician food is robust, like its people, but there is an emphasis on fish which reflects its proximity to the sea. Caldo Gallego (vegetable soup), empanadas and la tarta compostelana should also be tasted. The Galician grape varieties are principally Godello (white) and Mencia (red), mainly drunk quite young, though some vineyards are starting to produce wines that age well, and other grape varieties such as Tempranillo are creeping in.
How much Walking?
Using shortening options: No specific shortening options though taxis can be arranged.
Some waymarked paths but in the main the waymarking is local, so attention to the route notes is important if GPS not used. No seriously steep or technical walking. Highest point on route 850m, lowest 300m.
Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 520m (375m-750m) per day.
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: May, late September, October
Other possible months: April, early June, early September, November
Northern Spain is best walked in late spring and in autumn, though early June can be lovely too. The route is not offered in the summer months because of heat and accommodation busy-ness!
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Rainfall and temperature chart for Ourense
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Parada de Sil
After a taxi from Ourense (included), settle in to your lodgings, have a wander around this pretty village and select somewhere to eat.
Day 2 - Parada de Sil - options
Choose to spend today with the Parada de Sil circuit – a relatively gentle day with a short detour to a remote monastery, before returning to Parada and your taxi to the Parador (3¾hrs walking (allow 5hrs), 11½km (7miles), CUSs 500m) or walk directly to the Parador, with many viewpoints over the Canon do Sil, visiting tiny villages set in a bucolic landscape, never far from the river, before a final descent to the glorious former monastery, now one of Spain’s famed Paradors. (5hrs walking (allow 6¾hrs), 16¾km (10½miles), CUSs 500m). Lift possible to shorten walk – save up to two hours walking.
Option
Add an extra night in Parada de Sil and do the Circuit, followed the next day by walking to the Parador.
Day 3 - The Parador to Penalba
This varied walk has many magical moments, starting with a great balcony walk from the Parador, before encountering many of the old ways between the villages, to a mini-fest of hórreos (traditional stone grain stores) at Biduedo. From here the path heads charmingly back to the gorge, where you have a choice – either to continue along the gorge at mid-level) or head back up to the plateau for an inspection of a Neolithic landscape, before redescending circuitously to the Mirador de Lampa, one of the best on the Sil. From here your path descends through commercial forest (though with some majestic views) to your next accommodation at Penalba. (Medium: 4¾ hrs walking, (allow 6¼ hrs) 15¼ km (9½ miles), CUSs 540m). Alternative: Shorter version along gorge to the Mirador de Lampa – saves 2½ km and 1 hr walking.)
Day 4 - Penalba to Turbisquedo
A shorter day, so take it a bit easy. Start off up the same track as you descended along yesterday, then a bit of quiet road walking into the village of Os Peares, where the Minho and the Sil meet. After crossing the river check out the riverside (the café could be open) before heading up the valley of the Bubal river. A short, steep climb through two abandoned villages (where your host tonight plans to re-establish a historic vineyard) is followed by a pleasant ramble through light woodland before reaching Bill and Juan-Carlos’ extraordinary house at Turbisquedo. (Medium-hard: 3¾ hrs walking (allow 5 hrs), 12¾ km (8 miles), CUSs 750m)
Day 5 - Turbisquedo to Ferreiros
This bucolic day is a little longer than yesterday, but not difficult. It rolls through the open countryside south of Turbisquedo, before reaching the little town of A Peroxa, complete with café and ruined castle. From here you descend almost to the River Minho before a gentle ascent up to your next night’s accommodation, formerly the church rectory and now a working vineyard. (Medium: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 15 km (9½ miles), CUSs 375m)
Day 6 - Ferreiros to Ourense
Your final walking day starts off gently downhill through the villages connecting the countryside with the river, with occasional views to this broad waterway, before reaching it at the delightfully named village of Casanova. A stretch along the river and its inlets is followed by a short countryside length through pine forest before meeting the river again finally on the outskirts of Ourense. The riverside park and promenade is a good way to enter the city, and the ‘Roman’ bridge a lovely way to cross into the historic centre. (Medium: 4 hrs walking, (allow 5¼ hrs), 16¼ km (10 miles), CUSs 400m)
Departure day
Depart for home, or opt to stay further nights in Ourense to explore the old town.
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start and Finish: Ourense
Train timings:
Ourense – Madrid ~3 hrs
Ourense – Santiago de la Compostela 40 mins
ARRIVING BY CAR
Parking is available in Castro de Caldelas on quiet side streets, or in Ourense (multistorey car parks).
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best “local” airport is Santiago de Compostela. Intercontinental flights would use Madrid – transfer by train – see below.
Santiago de Compostela
Land by: 16:00 for train to Ourense then taxi transfer to first hotel
Return flight earliest: 14:30 after train from Ourense then bus or taxi to airport.
Direct pre-booked taxis from/to Santiago city/airport also possible to enable flights outside these times – see ‘Prices’.
Madrid
Land by: 13:00 for train to Ourense then taxi transfer to first hotel
Return flight earliest: 16:30 after train from Ourense then bus or taxi to airport.
For flights outside these times factor in an overnight stay in Madrid.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “Getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.
Getting to the start of the walk
OUTWARD
Start points are Castro de Caldelas (full route, 8-night or gorge 6/7 night options) or Parada de Sil (6/7 night wine/history options). As the bus service from Ourense is a little infrequent (and no buses on a Sunday), a pre-booked taxi to get you to your first night’s accommodation from Ourense station is included in the holiday price. For those wishing to make their own way to the start a discount will be available.
RETURN
End point is Ourense. Fast trains to Madrid and Santiago.
Pre-booked taxis available for Santiago/Ourense. For prices see “Prices” tab.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
In true On Foot Holidays style there is a range of accommodation types on this route. The simplest accommodation is clean and friendly, and rooms are modest in size, though nowhere cramped. There is no scope for upgrading or downgrading hotels until Ourense, though upgrading room types is possible in Cristosende, the Parador, Turbisquedo (marginally) and Ourense.
Night 1
Parada de Sil – O Balcón da Ribeira (B&B)
A bustling village cafe (and village shop!) with simple but modern rooms above and in an annexe behind.
Night 2
Santo Estevo – Parador de Santo Estevo (B&B)
A substantial former monastery, now with comfortable rooms and a spa instead of monks' cells.
Night 3
Penalba – O Remanso dos Patos (B&B)
Family-run hotel, with small pool and terrace overlooking the river.
Night 4
Turbisquedo – O Turbisquedo (dinner, B&B)
An 18th century country house, full of antique furniture and genteel charm.
Night 5
Ferreiros – Rectoral de San Eusebio (dinner, B&B)
Small but comfortable and beautifully modernised rural hotel with spacious rooms and winery.
Night 6
Ourense – Barceló Ourense Hotel (B&B)
Smart hotel with spacious rooms, in the centre of the city.
Parada de Sil – O Balcón da Ribeira (B&B)
A bustling village cafe (and village shop!) with simple but modern rooms above and in an annexe behind.
Website
Santo Estevo – Parador de Santo Estevo (B&B)
A substantial former monastery, now with comfortable rooms and a spa instead of monks' cells.
Website
Penalba – O Remanso dos Patos (B&B)
Family-run hotel, with small pool and terrace overlooking the river.
Website
Turbisquedo – O Turbisquedo (dinner, B&B)
An 18th century country house, full of antique furniture and genteel charm.
Website
Ferreiros – Rectoral de San Eusebio (dinner, B&B)
Small but comfortable and beautifully modernised rural hotel with spacious rooms and winery.
Website
Ourense – Barceló Ourense Hotel (B&B)
Smart hotel with spacious rooms, in the centre of the city and, on the upper floors, splendid views.
Website
Prices
Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 4 picnics and 2 evening meals, taxi from Ourense station or town to first hotel, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £275
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £195
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £35 per person
Maximum party size: 10
Add Ons
Additional B&B night in Parada de Sil: £45 pp (single room supplement £20)
Additional B&B nights in any other accommodation: Contact On Foot – seasonal pricing
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)
TAXIS
Santiago/Airport to first hotel: £190/£210 (supplement)
Ourense to Santiago/Airport: £130/£150
Pricing is for 1-6 persons. Minibuses for larger groups – contact On Foot Holidays.
Our local team
Aznar Fernandez de Pinedo
Aznar was born and grew up in Bilbao, where he soon developed his love for nature (he is a keen naturalist), hiking and the rural environment in general. He studied Business and has worked for many years in multinational corporations in the IT sector, living in both Barcelona and Madrid. But in 2014 he decided to change his career to work on what he loves most.
