The best hiking routes in Paisaxe Protexida Val do Río Navea

Paisaxe Protexida Val do Río Navea protects a deeply incised valley in the Galician interior, where the Navea river has cut a gorge through the ancient slate and granite bedrock. Unlike the open, wind-swept granite plateaus nearby, this protected landscape is characterized by its steep, densely forested slopes. The microclimate of the valley shelter allows a mix of Mediterranean and Euro-Siberian vegetation to thrive side by side, creating a dense canopy that dominates the view from the trails.

Walkers will find the underfoot conditions dominated by old stone-paved tracks, traditional cart paths known as corredoiras, and dirt trails that can be uneven with exposed tree roots and loose schist. The forest floor is dominated by ancient chestnut orchards, some with massive, hollow trunks that have been managed for centuries, alongside oak groves and strawberry trees. You will notice stone ruins of traditional dried-chestnut storehouses, called sequeiros, melting back into the mossy undergrowth along the path.

This is a landscape of enclosed, intimate woodland rather than wide, high-altitude vistas. The walking routes generally descend steeply from the valley rim toward the riverbed, meaning any excursion involves a significant elevation change on the return leg. In November, the forest floor is thick with fallen chestnut husks and leaves, changing the texture of the path underfoot and coloring the canopy in deep ochre tones.