A free public thermal bath, trails to waterfalls and Roman milestones give Lobios several distinct highlights. When planning your accommodation, you can first consider whether hiking, thermal baths or culture will shape your stay. For hikes, distance, route type and starting point can help you compare different outing ideas.

Landscape and waterfalls

The Baixa Limia-Xurés Natural Park covers 30,000 hectares and lies at an average altitude of more than 1,000 metres. Together with the neighbouring Portuguese Peneda-Gerês National Park, it forms the core of the cross-border Gerês-Xurés Biosphere Reserve. In Lobios, access to the Pozo da Seima viewpoint follows cleared, signposted paths as well as new steps and walkways. At the top, the view opens out over the town and its surroundings.

At Fervenza das Olas, the Río Mao, a tributary of the Río Salas, forms numerous waterfalls and pools as it flows over granite. The drive to the upper waterfall area follows the OU-1206 past O Puxedo; from there, continue on foot along a stream. There is no path or marked trail in the river area. Take care on the rocks to avoid slipping.

Corga da Fecha is considered one of Galicia's highest waterfalls and can only be seen after heavy rain. The access route from Balneario de Lobios follows a path on foot along the ancient Roman road between Braga and Astorga. The upper approach follows a steep, rocky trail with several vantage points from which you can view the waterfall. The route is 3.6 kilometres long, linear and rated difficult.

Hiking and cycling

A 1.7-kilometre circular route along the Río Vilameá passes up to twelve mills, some of which have been restored. A detour of about 450 metres takes you to an alvariza, a traditional structure used to protect a beehive. For comparison in terms of distance and route type, Aquis Originis is also a circular route: at 3.32 kilometres, it begins and ends in Vila termal Lobios. Corga da Fecha, by contrast, is linear and rated difficult.

The route along the Río Mao passes restored mills, rapids, waterfalls and natural pools suitable for swimming. This means you can choose not only clearly measured circular and linear trails, but also routes with described stops by the water.

There are also named routes for mountain biking: Circular de Lobios, Minas de las Sombras and Alto de Santa Eufemia. They run entirely through the municipality of Lobios and connect to the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Natural Park network. The signposted network covers a total of 238 kilometres.

Thermal baths and culture

The Termas del río Caldo in Lobios are a free public thermal bath. The thermal springs of Lobios produce bicarbonate-, sodium- and chloride-rich water that emerges from the springs at more than 70°C.

At Portela de Home, you can see 116 Roman milestones from the Vía Nova. The 300-kilometre road connected Braga and Astorga. The remains of the feudal castle of Vila in Lobios are also in the natural park. These sites give Roman and medieval heritage a place of its own alongside the trails and natural landmarks.

Two chapels bring together architecture and religious tradition. Capela de Santa Lucía has a single-nave layout and a wooden roof; inside is an image of the Virgin and Child from Capela A Virxe do Xurés. That chapel also has a single-nave layout with a wooden roof and is considered an emblematic example of traditional community life in Xurés. During pilgrimages at both chapels, the image of the Virgin is carried up the mountain in a procession. The ascent at Santa Lucía is marked by small chapels, calvaries and Stations of the Cross.

To reach Capela A Virxe do Xurés, follow the road to Portela do Home as far as the turning at Capela de Santa Lucía. From there, drive straight for 200 metres, turn left and follow the road uphill for three kilometres. The Numismatic Museum of Lobios was officially opened on 30 July 1996.

Getting there and finding accommodation

The Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Natural Park visitor centre is at Carretera de Portugal 34 in Lobios. From Ourense, you can reach the natural park headquarters via the A-52 and AG-311, then take the OU-540 towards Celanova and Portugal.

Discover more destinations: Torno, Muíños, Monterrei, Quinta, A Arnoia, Carballal, Os Vilares, A Pobra De Trives.

Return to the main travel overview: Ourense.