The valley of the Río das Mestas is one of Cerdido’s most important scenic tourist attractions. Waterfalls, rapids and river mills give the landscape its distinct character. There is also a neo-Gothic church, an archaeological find and an annual folk festival. If you are considering Cerdido as a place to stay, these different highlights can help you choose your destination.

Waterfalls and River Landscapes

The Fervenza do Río Mestas consists of a series of rapids and small waterfalls. The largest drop is about two metres high. The Fervenza de Carballeiro offers a different scale: it lies in the Río Pontellas beside the de Bouza mill and plunges about ten metres. This puts the smaller falls on the Río Mestas in contrast with a considerably higher waterfall.

The other waterfalls each have their own geographical features. The Fervenza do Forte lies along a short, narrow stretch of the Río Pombeiro, also known as Porto do Cabo, just before it joins the Pontellas. There are several rapids and waterfalls there. The Fervenza dos Muíños de Chao, by contrast, is on the Porto do Cabo stream, which flows into the Río Mestas.

The water at the Fervenza do Rego de Loureiro comes from the Loureiro stream, a small tributary of the Río Mera. The Río Mera flows into the Ría de Ortigueira. Numerous river mills in good condition have been preserved near the mouth of the Río das Mestas. These details offer different insights into the river landscape, from waterfalls and rapids to the mills as preserved structures.

Access to the Waterfalls

For the Fervenza do Río Mestas, the described route starts on a path beside the road between Cerdido and Cedeira, before the bridge over the river. A route description from June 2021 leads to the Fervenza de Carballeiro on the road to Cerdido, via a path along the right-hand side of the road to the de Bouza mill. The waterfall is beside the mill; the access is described as unmarked.

The route description recorded in June 2021 also notes that there is no signposted access to the Fervenza do Forte. The described route to the Fervenza dos Muíños de Chao goes from the mill over the bridge and along the river to a small weir. For the Fervenza do Rego de Loureiro, the route description leads from the village of Loureiro towards Agreste: after a few houses, turn left towards a livestock farm, then cross the fields to the river.

These access details were recorded in 2021. Before your visit, check whether the described access is currently passable; note in particular that Carballeiro and Forte are not signposted.

Church, Archaeological Find and Folklore

The Igrexa San Antón A Barqueira is a neo-Gothic church dating from 1920, with a cruciform floor plan. Another church, the Igrexa Parroquial de San Martiño de Cerdido, offers a practical point of reference: its immediate surroundings are accessible by car or bus. This refers to the area around the church, not necessarily its interior.

The history of the find at Castro de Cerdido also provides a specific cultural point of reference. A gold torc was discovered there in 1840, in a style very similar to Irish goldsmithing. The year refers to the discovery: the piece of jewellery was found there in 1840.

The Festival-Concurso Folclórico Concello de Cerdido is held annually. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the current event dates. The rivers and mountains of Cerdido are also suitable for fishing. Be sure to check the applicable local rules and conditions separately.

At the waterfalls, pay close attention to the specific access details; for the festival, the dates are what matter.

Discover more destinations: Calo, Bas, Santa Mariña, Cruces, Fosado, Andeade, O Sisto, A Baña

See the main travel overview: Coruña.