The Barjacoba–Pías hiking trail is part of the Lago de Sanabria and Sierras Segundera y de Porto Nature Park. Two other routes offer different kinds of walks to add to your hiking plans: the trail from Villanueva de la Sierra to Pías and the circular trail through the Barjacoba River valley between Barjacoba, Las Labradías and Lagunillas.

Hiking: three distinct profiles

The circular trail through the Barjacoba River valley is 8.5 kilometres long and is rated easy. The trail from Villanueva de la Sierra to Pías is linear, signposted and rated moderate to difficult. Water and steep climbs are the factors behind this rating. This makes it possible to compare the two routes based on specific features: the circular route’s length and easy rating, and the linear route to Pías and the reasons for its higher rating. Use these differences to decide which route profile best suits your hiking plans.

Landscape and access

The trail from Villanueva de la Sierra to Pías passes through meadows and forests of oak, chestnut and fern. On the way to Curro de los Lobos, shortly before the destination, you can see the Pías reservoir and the rounded contours of the Galician mountains. This view is specific to this section.

To reach the trail from Villanueva de la Sierra to Pías, take exit 114 on the A-52 and then follow the N-525 to the turn-off for Pías and Porto. Road conditions and signposting may change; check both before setting out.

Lagoons, a mill and traces of the past

The Barjacoba lagoons in Pías were signposted by 30 June 2026. In 2026, the Barjacoba watermill in Pías was also restored as part of the tourism plan for Sanabria. The former church of San Martín in Pías offers a different impression: it is now a ruin. The watermill and the church thus represent different states of repair: a completed restoration on the one hand and a ruin on the other.

Near Pías is the Curro de los Lobos de Barjacoba. This old stone wolf pit was used to protect livestock from wolves. The name therefore refers not only to a stone structure but also to its traditional role in livestock keeping.

Language and festival date

Senabrés is spoken in the Alta Sanabria valleys around Pías. The language is not entirely Galician, but is very similar to it. The Pías patron saint festival in honour of San Martín takes place on the first weekend of August. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the exact festival dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Torrefrades, El Perdigón, Villadepera, Losacino, Pajares De La Lampreana, Vecilla De La Polvorosa, Gamones, Luelmo.

Go to the main travel overview: Zamora.