In Meis, rivers, waterfalls and Romanesque architecture meet a variety of route profiles. When planning, it is worth taking a closer look at the route itself: some trails lead to viewpoints, others follow a river or pass groups of mills. The buildings also tell their stories in different ways—with dates, surviving features and changing historical affiliations.
Choose Cycling and Hiking Routes by Their Course
Meis has a mountain biking center from which you can plan cycling tours. The Monte da Escusa cycling route is considered easy and offers views of the RÃas de Pontevedra and Arousa. If views are a particular priority on your bike ride, these two estuaries are a useful point of reference when choosing a route.
The PR-G 171 Ruta do RÃo San Martiño runs along the slope of Monte A Escusa, from where you can see the RÃa de Arousa. Its final section passes through Albariño vineyards and maize fields. By contrast, the PR-G 172 Ruta do RÃo Chanca focuses on the river: the route follows the Chanca uphill to the A Armenteira monastery. In its final section, it passes through the monastery grounds and continues to the town center. Views from the slope and a riverside course are two different points to consider when choosing a trail.
Another option is the PR-G 170 Ruta da Pedra e da Auga. It starts in the municipality of Meis and follows a narrow path downhill, parallel to the Armenteira River. Some challenging sections are noted on this route. The Monte da Escusa cycling route, on the other hand, is considered easy. These ratings apply to the respective routes; they give you a specific point of comparison without assigning one difficulty level to every trail in Meis.
Waterfalls and Groups of Mills
The Fervenzas do Rego da Armenteira route includes two groups of mills: the lower group at Barrantes and the upper group at Serén. The trail to the waterfalls is signposted. Check local trail conditions before setting out. The route combines a waterfall area with mills, while the two groups of mills also mark different sections along the way.
The Fervenza de Arcos is in San Tomé de Nogueira and consists of several low cascades over granite rocks. From the recreation area, you can reach the river via a descent; the path is not signposted. The Fervenza do Rego de San Salvador waterfall is beside a mill on the San Martiño stream. These three destinations therefore differ in more than just their names: the Fervenzas do Rego da Armenteira route passes two groups of mills, Arcos is defined by its cascades and granite rocks, and at Rego de San Salvador the mill is situated by the stream.
Romanesque Architecture and Its History
The monastery of Armenteira is first mentioned by name in official Cistercian documents in 1162. Another date can be found at the Capela de Mosteiro: an inscription on the triumphal arch gives 1150 as the year it was built. The Romanesque chapel initially belonged to a Benedictine monastery and, from the 16th century, to the Order of St John. The inscription and its historical affiliations give you several specific points of interest when visiting the chapel.
The Igrexa de San Martiño de Meis is also Romanesque and dates from the 12th century. The main portal and the nave walls have survived from that period. The atrium wall also features 15th-century baldachins surrounding a fountain. This means you can see features from different centuries at the church, while the Capela de Mosteiro offers a different way of exploring the past through its inscription and monastic history.
Discover more destinations: O Mosteiro, A Torre, Fornelos, O HÃo, Vilaboa, Portela, A Guarda, A Xesteira.
Return to the main travel overview: Pontevedra.
