Nine traditional Galician mills give the Ruta dos Muíños da Baña a distinct cultural and historical character. At the same time, A Baña offers routes with different focuses to compare: from a riverside loop to pilgrimage routes, buildings and archaeological sites. Deciding which of these you want to shape your trip is a good starting point for planning.

Mill Paths, Riverbanks and Panoramic Views

The Ruta dos Muíños da Baña passes nine traditional Galician mills. The 7.5-kilometre circular route runs along the Faílde River and is described as moderately difficult. A shorter alternative is the Ruta da Ribeira do Tambre: it is five kilometres long, easy, and follows the riverbank. The stated distances and difficulty levels make the difference between the two routes clear. The Ruta do Tambre also passes the oak tree of Cancelos, considered one of the largest oak trees in Galicia.

The Ruta de Santa Mariña has a different destination at its heart: the route ends at the summit of Santa Mariña. From there, it offers 360-degree views stretching from Pico Sacro to the Pindo and Iroite mountains. Those interested in literature can take the 7.5-kilometre circular route “As rapazas de Xan” through places depicted in Manuel Iglesias Turnes’s book of the same name. A Baña also has two signposted, permanent routes for mountain biking.

Pilgrimage Routes and Pilgrimage Sites

A signposted section of the Vía Mariana Luso Galaica runs between Ponte Maceira in Negreira and Trece in A Baña. In A Baña, the route passes the pilgrimage sites of Seilán and Ordoeste. The Camino de Santiago from Santiago to Muxía via Brandomil also passes through A Baña; the entire route is 86 kilometres long. Alongside the local circular routes, you can therefore choose between two pilgrimage routes with different names and described itineraries.

Churches, a Pazo and Archaeological Evidence

The churches’ construction histories span several centuries. The Capela de San Salvador da Baña is neoclassical in design and simply decorated; it may have been built in the 18th century. The Igrexa de San Mamede de Suevos was begun in 1767 and completed with the addition of the sacristy in the 19th century. The Igrexa Parroquial de Santa Baia de Lañas dates from the second half of the 12th century and was remodelled in the 18th century. Comparing these dates illustrates the long history of sacred architecture in A Baña.

Other architectural features offer different points of interest: the church of San Cibrán de Barcala has a freestanding bell tower and stands in a landscape of oak trees surrounded by century-old trees. Santa María de Ordoeste is a Baroque church with a neoclassical tower. The Pazo de Leis dates from the 16th century and is in good condition. Archaeological evidence can be found in San Xoán da Riba: there are petroglyphs in the villages of Carballeira and Ferreiros, and a group of mámoas in Ferreiros.

Filloa da Pedra in March

The Feira-Festa da Filloa da Pedra brings together gastronomy, culture and tradition. It has been held in A Baña in March since 2004. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates for your chosen period.

Discover more destinations: Boimorto, O Sisto, O Cabo de Area, Xalo, Camariñas, Prospes, Touriñán, Lira

For the wider travel overview: Coruña.