Directions 
17.3 Cristosende
The village of Cristosende is located at the peak of Lede Mountain. It is known for the presence of its 17th-century Casa Grande, a stately home that features a beautiful interior patio, and which is now open to the public as a restaurant and hotel. There is also the church of Santa María de Cristosende, and numerous houses that have been restored with great care.
What also makes this such a special place is the location, surrounded by vineyards and serving as a magnificent vantage point. Visitors will find spectacular views over the Sil Canyon here, and some unforgettable sunsets too.
Nearby, in the direction heading towards Parada de Sil, we find a historic hydroelectric power plant known as the “Fábrica da Luz”. No longer in operation, this site has now been turned into accommodations for travellers. Here you will also find the start of the trail leading to the Mao River walkways (pasarelas del Mao), one of Ribeira Sacra’s most popular walking routes
In turn, those walkways lead to the trailhead for the PR‑G 177 Mao River Canyon hiking route, which runs for 16 kilometres through a long section of the Mao River Canyon. It also passes by the necropolis at San Vítor de Barxacova and the village of San Lourenzo de Barxacova.
