The best cycling routes in Monte Maior

beautiful view of the bay

The spectacular bike path of Cabo de Burela makes it easy to get out of the town by bicycle along the coastal cliffs and the little beaches of Reliño and Marosa, then comes the crossing near the Cervo business park and again the charms of the coastal towns in San Cibrao, a beautiful fishing port formed by two neighborhoods that were created when the coastal sediments joined the coastal point with the islet where the Punta da Atalaia lighthouse is now located. The Nature Trail draws a curious perimeter route through the town that culminates in views of the coast from the spectacular overhanging balcony of the Miradoiro da Atalaia and descends through O Pedregal. The landmarks of the route move away from the coast to surround the industrial complex of an immense aluminum factory and return again to coastal fantasies in the port of Morás, an important whaling port during the Middle Ages. The entrance to the port and the surrounding area are decorated with hundreds of idols, which are the remains of the concrete pieces that were made to build the docks of the current industrial port of San Cibrao. The coastal landscape changes its atmosphere, the first serious slopes arrive. Near the famous Paper Cliffs, a fun stretch along mountain trails begins on the cliffs of Morás and the viewpoints of Monte Castelo, in Punta Roncadoira, accumulating a good positive gradient before descending again to the shore of the Cantabrian Sea and passing through Viveiro. and Covas for the first time. The stage ends in Viveiro although there is still the fabulous final stretch to the Ortigueira estuary and the return. In Covas there is a bicycle shop, it is next to a giant specimen of Monterrey cypress, 32 meters high, planted in 1880. The Natural Trail leaves the urban environment of the Viveiro estuary through Mount O Facho and the surprising viewpoint of the Cruz de San Román, between the beaches of San Román and Area Grande. The route is a constant see-saw through eucalyptus and pine forests between beaches, estuaries and small coves that seem inaccessible from the edge of the cliffs. The crossing of the Barqueiro estuary is another environmental fantasy, on the eastern bank is the port of O Vicedo and on the western bank the fishing streets of O Porto do Barqueiro, staggered on the slope of the mouth of the Sor river, the gateway to the Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

Founded by the Franciscans in 1219, this church is just outside the old Roman wall and has a well-preserved Romanesque portal and Gothic apse (renovated in 1965!). A visit to the cloister is worthwhile.

Covas is a small coastal residential complex that enjoys a long white sand beach. The contrast formed by the shape and color of the rocks when breaking the sand mantle forms a spectacular landscape.

Burela is a small, but very active, fishing port. In its surroundings you will find the typical green landscape of the Galician coast facing the Bay of Biscay and its dream beaches.

This is an arched stone gate to the old city. Travelers who crossed the estuary via the Mayor or La Misericordia bridges reached the entrance to the old town.

O Porto do Barqueiro owes its name to an old boatman who used to cross passengers between this port and O Vicedo until a metal bridge was built at the beginning of the 20th century. This fishing village is traditionally a sardine fisherman, although nowadays shellfishing also plays a major role in its economy. The authenticity and beauty of its urban complex has attracted a lot of tourism that has become a thriving activity.

From the bridge over the Viveiro estuary you get a magnificent view of this formerly walled town with its stone buildings facing the water. The Viveiro estuary is part of the Galician high estuaries and is an important reservoir of marine life and birds.