Ribeira Sacra with kids - Day 1
On this route you can visit a medieval castle, take a short hike along wooden walkways surrounded completely by native forests, visit a historic monastery, and end up at the Chocolate House Museum in Parada de Sil, which is the only one in Galicia focused on that theme.
This route begins in Castro Caldelas. There you can wander the town’s cobblestone streets and visit its medieval castle. The castle has a variety of exhibition rooms inside, where you can learn about some of the most remarkable aspects of this town.
Your next stop will be the Mao River Walkways. This is a short riverside promenade on wooden walkways that run along the steep slopes of the Mao River canyon. Along the walkways there are interactive panels that will help teach your kids more about the local flora and fauna. To reach these walkways, first travel on the LU-903 in the direction of Monforte/A Teixeira, then following the signs to A Teixiera. After arriving in that town, continue in the direction of Parada de Sil.
When you have finished your visit to the walkways, you will next go to the town of Parada de Sil, where just to the north you will find one of the most famous viewpoints in all of Ribeira Sacra, known as the Balcones de Madrid (may also be referred to on signs as Miradoiro dos Torgás). In addition to experiencing the remarkable vistas here, you can also see a historic foxo, which is a type of stone structure used to trap wolves.
Then, after returning to the centre of Parada de Sil, follow the signs to reach the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. The Santa Cristina monastery is found in an amazing location, halfway into the Sil Canyon, completely surrounded by chestnut trees (this is the monastery closest to the river).
After visiting this monastery, go back to the town of Parada de Sil, and from there take the OU-0604 south until arriving in the village of Teimende. This is where you will find the Chocolate House Museum. Here you will learn about the local chocolate-making traditions, and will see some of the antique machines that were once used to produce this well-loved product.
COMMENTS
- If you travel this route during the autumn-winter seasons, some of the attractions may be closed, or else operating with special hours, and you will probably have to reverse the order in which you visit the last two stops described. We recommend confirming the opening hours in advance.
- We also recommend starting this route at the time when the castle in Castro Caldelas first opens to visitors.
- If you follow this route during the summer, you can take advantage of the extra daylight hours to end your day at the Pradomao riverside beach.
- You can also opt to travel this route in the opposite direction.
This castle is the town’s most iconic monument. It stands on a prominent hill along the route of the old Roman road, in a position where it presides over the entire town and can be seen from a great distance.
Beginning at the Fábrica de la Luz, we can explore the walkways along the river Mao until it flows into the Sil.
One of the most spectacular viewpoints in Galicia, and unquestionably the most breathtaking in the Ribeira Sacra.
The monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil is located in a spectacular setting in the chestnut grove of Merilán.
The only museum space dedicated to chocolate in Galicia. For nearly a century, the Casares family produced a variety of chocolates under the brand names “Chocolates Caldelas” and “Chocolates Casares” but they closed in the 1980s.
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On this route you can add a catamaran boat trip on the river first thing in the morning, from the boat docks at Ponte do Sil or Abeleda (however, if you do add a boat trip, you will probably have to cut out other visits, especially during times of the year with fewer daylight hours).