NOIA AND SURROUNDINGS

Exiting Noia town centre towards the southwest, we come across the hill called Monte San Lois. At the top, at a height of 363 metres, you can enjoy a viewpoint featuring wonderful views of the centre of Noia and a large part of the coastline known as the Ria of Muros-Noia. Moreover, on the way up you will come across a recreational area, where you can stop to plan your route for the day or rest after a long walk in the evening.

Heading northwards now from the town, we come to this medieval bridge that crosses the Tambre River and links the municipalities of Outes and Noia. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Alfonso IX and is one of the longest in Galicia (270 metres). It is supported by 20 arches, although there were originally 27.

From Ponte Nafonso we head towards the Tambre Reservoir, which features must-see natural beauty spots and historic monuments such as the Tambre Hydroelectric Power Station, which was built in 1932 in the industrial Romanesque style. Today, part of the power station’s facilities have been turned into a hotel. The central building houses an interpretation centre, where you can learn about the importance of “lampreeiras” (nets for catching lamprey) and lamprey fishing in the area.

If you feel like walking, passing by the power station you will come across a small picnic area (where you can stop to catch your breath) and a hanging bridge; from here you can start 3 trekking routes with different degrees of difficulty, enabling you to enjoy the Tambre River in all of its splendour.

After resting on the banks of the Tambre River, if you still feel up to it, we recommend that you visit the neighbouring municipality of Lousame to see the San Xusto de Toxosoutos Waterfall. You can reach it by means of a trekking route that starts at the Monastery of Toxosoutos; in the surrounding area there is a picnic area where we can rest after completing the route. Apart from the San Xusto Waterfall, the route also features the old Maceiriñas paper factory, the remains of some waterwheels and a few smaller waterfalls.