The Gerês-Xurés Biosphere Reserve on bike

When:

Where:

Specific place:

Spain and Portugal: Ourense, Braga and Vila Real: Xinzo de Limia - Os Baños - Ermida - Outeiro - Pitões das Júnias - Xinzo de Limia

Length:

1 week

Level:

Demanding

IBP Index:

Type:

Nature

Group min/máx:

4-8 people

In the Gerês mountains

This is a circular route, six days of pedaling, for advanced cyclists willing to ride on roads with explosive ramps and tracks that run along an ancient Roman road.

We go through the Gerês-Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, straddling Galicia and Portugal, between forests and reservoirs, hot springs and plateaus, waterfalls and megaliths. Starting from Xinzo de Limia, we cross its meadows and banks to ascend the Vía Nova on the banks of the Caldo River, to the Portela do Home and enter the Peneda-Gerês National Park. After rolling through its forests and enjoying more than a dip in one of its waterfalls, we reached the Mourela plateau and its beautiful village of Pitões das Júnias. We cross the Gerês mountain range again through the Pitões pass, the Xurés mountain range and the Baixa Limia until we return to Xinzo.

Since 2009, the Baja Limia and Sierra de O Xurés Natural Park has been a Biosphere Reserve.

This route runs through Veiga de Ponteliñares, Baixa Limia and Serra do Gerês sites classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance) and areas protected as SPA (Special Protection Area); as well as A Limia , another SPA area; within the Natura 2000 network.

Scheduled itinerary:

Day 1.- Transportation to Xinzo de Limia. Ride from Xinzo to Os Baños (52 km), by the Camino Natural Vía Nova. Visits to the Roman Archaelogical Complex of Porto Quintela, and the Visigothic Church of Santa Comba. Thermal baths. Lodging.
Day 2.- Ride from Os Baños to Ermida (29 km), by the Camino Natural Vía Nova and the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Visits to the Mansion Aquis Originis, the Roman Milestone of Ponte Nova, the Portela do Homem waterfall, the Leonte waterfall and the Pedra Bela viewpoint. Lodging.
Day 3.- Ride from Ermida to Outeiro (38 km), by the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Visits to the Fecha de Barjas waterfalls, and the Fojo do Lobo of Fafião. Lodging.
Day 4.- Ride from Outeiro to Pitões das Júnias (15 km), by the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Visits to the Ecomuseu de Barroso, the Santa Maria das Júnias monastery, and the Mourela plateau of Pitões. Lodging.
Day 5.- Ride from Pitões to Xinzo de Limia (43 km), by the Baja Limia Natural Park and the Sierra de O Xurés. Visits to the Outeiro necropolis of Cabaladre, and the Sanctuary dos Milagros of Cercedo. Transportation back home.