At Lago de As Pontes, expansive lakeside paths and very different glimpses into the area’s history are close together. The lake is 5 km long, 2 km wide and has a circumference of 18 km. Almost half of the shore has been developed as a public promenade. You can enjoy water sports at Playa del Lago de As Pontes; there are also hiking trails around the beach.
Lake and trails: compare distances and themes
The Senda de la Memoria is an 8.3 km path around the lake that can be used on foot or by bicycle. Motor vehicles are not permitted. Information panels commemorate the people, settlements and parishes that disappeared during coal mining. At Espiñaredo, the route includes a birdwatching observatory and views of Lago de As Pontes. It is advisable to check locally before your trip for information about visiting the observatory.
A longer circular route is the 19 km PR-G 147 As Fragas da Ribeira e do Lostegal. It starts at Parque da Fraga in the centre of As Pontes de García Rodríguez, at the crossing over the Eume. The path passes through dense oak, holly and laurel forests before reaching the reservoir. The 8.3 km Senda de la Memoria and the 19 km circular route provide a concrete basis for choosing between the two trails. In terms of subject matter, one route focuses on remembrance and lake views, while the other takes in forest and the path to the reservoir.
The Senda de Calvo Sotelo also combines a walking route with local history: along its 1.6 km, six information panels explain the industrialisation that began on the banks of the Eume in the early 20th century. As Pontes is thus home to several distinct historical themes: the vanished settlements along the Senda de la Memoria and industrialisation on the river.
Bridges, neighbourhoods and industrial history
The Casco Histórico de A Vila grew out of a medieval settlement at the foot of the Eume. The town’s architectural history includes several bridges with different designs and dates. The Ponte de García Rodríguez was commissioned in the 15th century by García Rodríguez de Valcárcel. Its larger left-hand arch is Gothic and has a span of about 9 m; to the right is a smaller semicircular arch. The medieval Puente Romana over the Chamoselo is thought to date to around the 14th century. It has a semicircular arch and a plain slate-masonry wall.
Another way to explore how the area has changed is to visit the Poblado de As Veigas. It was built in several phases between 1946 and 1962 to house 1,500 residents. Covering 27 hectares, it includes 230 homes and was designed as a self-contained neighbourhood with schools, a health clinic, a shop, a church, and sports and leisure facilities. Its planned amenities offer a different perspective on local history from the medieval streets and bridges.
Several exhibitions explore these themes in greater depth. The Museo Etnográfico Monte Caxado has a permanent exhibition on two floors, featuring everyday items and objects from former trades in As Pontes, alongside photographs, documents, audio and video. The permanent exhibition at the Centro Expositivo de la Maquinaria Minera de As Pontes (CEMAM) focuses on machinery used for coal mining in As Pontes. The Centro de Interpretación “A Mina” presents the history of the lignite deposit from its origins to the present, using graphic and audiovisual documents as well as interpretive panels.
Individual technical structures also tell the story of how water was used. The Molino de Alende dates from 1805; its water-powered mechanism, dam and water supply channel have been preserved. The Molino Fábrica de la Luz was the first power station in As Pontes. Built in 1906 by Prieto y Compañía, it used the water of the Eume to generate hydroelectric power.
Forest, waterfalls and viewpoints
The Cascadas de Somede are a series of waterfalls on the Rego dos Campos. They lie in an area of native woodland that is home to several mills. The Cascadas de As Painceiras de Bermui consist of two waterfalls, with drops of 10 and 12 m respectively, in a well-preserved area of native woodland within the Eume Canyon. The higher waterfall is not easy to access—an important distinction when planning a visit.
For views of the surrounding area, Mirador Monte Caxado overlooks the landscapes of the region; on a clear day, the Sisargas Islands can be seen to the west. Also on the Eume, the Área Recreativa de O Caneiro is set in well-preserved Atlantic woodland. The picnic area has stone tables and benches, as well as a cooking fire pit. As facilities may change, it is advisable to check conditions before your trip.
Plan for festivals and dates
The Feria de As Pontes takes place on the 1st and 15th of each month; confirm the dates before your trip. The Feira do Grelo is held on Carnival Sunday, while the Feira de Fungos e Cogomelos takes place on the weekend before All Saints’ Day. The calendar dates for both events shift from year to year, so it is worth checking the specific dates. The Capilla de San Vicente de Pontoibo is also associated with the annual Romería de San Vicente, held on January 22, which includes an auction and a festival. Annual event schedules may vary.
Discover more destinations: Ribeira, Vilarmaior, Merelle, Rois, Cariño, Mondego, Leira, Esteiro.
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