Noia “looking north”

We will begin the route in the municipality of Outes, more specifically at the small beach called Broña. It is an ideal beach for families due to its calm water. Since it is close to the Galician capital, it is among the most popular beaches with Santiago’s residents, when they want a summer break to relax beside the sea.

Without leaving the municipal district of Outes, we head towards the village of Ribeira do Freixo, known as Noia’s port. It features shipyards and boat repair shops. Above all, we can see traces of shipbuilding carpentry, a characteristic industry in the area. There are plans to revive its history by means of the so-called Route of the Carpenters with Wet Feet. This area is also renowned for its gastronomy, especially bivalves such as cockles and oysters.

From Ribeira do Freixo we will continue along the road as far as the municipality of Muros, more specifically the parish of Abelleira. This is a very peaceful area with several coves and beaches featuring shellfish beds. The main one is the beach called Abelleira, which stands out due to the fact that it forms an estuary separated from the sea by a tongue of pine-covered sand. Moreover, this beach is perfect for young ones due to its calm, shallow water.

Like Noia, this fishing town was declared a Historic Site in 1970. Its medieval layout is almost intact, featuring churches, fountains and numerous stone crosses from that time. Do not the leave the town without visiting the present-day parish church of San Pedro de Muros, whose main façade belongs to the 12^th-century Church of Santa María do Campo; or the waterwheel called Pozo de Cachón, the second-largest in Galicia and one of the most important in Europe.

Continuing northwards, and without leaving the municipal district of Muros, we come across Monte Louro and its lagoon. The 241-metre-high hill appears to rise up directly from the sea and seems to have two humps. At its feet, enclosed by the beach called Area Maior, there is a lagoon known as As Xarfas, which features a great variety of flora and fauna. Do not miss visiting this unspoilt beauty spot.

From Monte Louro we head towards the municipality of Carnota, more specifically to the beach of the same name, which is considered the largest in Galicia (7 km long) and one of the prettiest due to its crescent shape. This beach is preceded by a protected lagoon, which means we have to access the beach via a wooden walkway. You cannot complete this route without enjoying a long stroll along this virgin beach.

And from this natural paradise we now head towards the Ézaro or Xallas Waterfall (the latter is the name of the river leading to the waterfall). Here the river’s water falls from a height of 40 metres straight into the sea, which makes it unique in the Iberian Peninsula. Although the best time for visiting is in summer, when the reservoir’s floodgates are open due to the abundant rainfall, it is worth a visit at any time of the year –starting in 2011, there is water flowing all year round. What better place for ending this route, enveloped by the noise of water crashing against the canyon walls? And if you have time, you should go up to the viewpoint and enjoy wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocea, Monte Pindo and Fisterra.