Barbadás can be explored through two distinct experiences: nature trails along the water and traces of faith, craftsmanship and architecture. The granite hill O Tangaraño adds a striking rock formation and a viewpoint overlooking Ourense to these themes. You can shape your stay around whether you would like to focus on the landscape, cultural history or traditional craftsmanship.

Trails and landscapes in Barbadás

The Camiño dos Muíños is a nature trail on the left bank of the River Barbadás, also known as Dous Muiños, near the main town of the municipality. The river and its banks are therefore the focus of this trail. O Pisco is a waterfall on the River Barbadás near the village of Os Muíños. A project to restore and ecologically improve the Camiño dos Muíños and Fervenza do Pisco covers a length of 1.5 kilometres.

O Tangaraño is a huge granite hill in the municipality of Barbadás. It has a small rock crevice that is constantly filled with water, and offers a viewpoint overlooking the city of Ourense. Here, the rock formation and viewpoint take centre stage; along the Camiño dos Muíños, by contrast, the riverbank and waterfall define the nature experience. This comparison can help you choose a focus without combining the two places into a single route.

The municipality has numerous walking and mountain biking (MTB) trails. One named route is A Valenzá–San Bieito de Cova do Lobo–A Valenzá; it passes through Barbadás. The Camiño dos Muíños is described as a nature trail by the river, while the other route can be identified by its course between the two places named. This gives visitors interested in trails various options in Barbadás, without requiring them to choose a particular route or activity.

Culture, from monuments and chapels to craftsmanship

The inscription and carvings at the Cruceiro de San Xoán de Barbadás offer specific points of interest: the inscription reads “de San Juan Bautista, Barbadanes”, and four carved faces each represent a cardinal direction. From the main town, the cruceiro is on the road towards Celanova, about 150 metres past the edge of the town at the first roundabout. This guidance links the site to a clearly described landmark; the inscription and faces also draw attention to the monument’s design.

The Peto de Ánimas of the Capilla de San Mauro y Peto de Ánimas in the municipality has crossed bars and a Latin cross in the tympanum. The chapel is an example of vernacular architecture. Another site that can be viewed in its cultural-historical context is the Ermida de San Benito de Cova do Lobo: the tradition associated with this chapel in the municipality dates back to the Middle Ages.

Barbadás’ cultural heritage is also reflected in its streets: the municipality has medieval streets with coats of arms set into old manor houses. These features complement the chapels and the cruceiro with heraldic and architectural details. Visitors interested in architecture will therefore find a range of features: religious buildings, a monument with carved faces and coats of arms on old houses.

The Museo da Gaita de Fole offers another way to explore the area’s culture. In a workshop, visitors can see tools from earlier times as well as materials used to make bagpipes and their parts. The focus is therefore on instrument making and the objects used for it. Together with the buildings and monuments, these make for a varied selection of cultural topics to explore during your stay in Barbadás.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bentraces, Viana Do Bolo, Castro Caldelas, Laza, Albarellos, A Gudiña, Toén, Beariz.

Go to the main travel overview: Ourense.