Cabanas: Beaches, Trails and Architectural History

Cabanas appeals to travelers interested in the coast, walking routes and architectural history. If you are looking for a hotel in Cabanas, you can first consider whether beaches, walks or historic architecture will shape your stay. The locations and routes offer different highlights: from beach scenery and trails with specific distance details to buildings with Baroque and Indian architectural features.

Beaches, forest and natural surroundings

A Madalena Beach is just over a kilometer long. To the east lies Piñeiral da Madalena, a nine-hectare pine grove. Wooden boardwalks cross the area. They make it easier to get around while also limiting the environmental impact of human activity. Sendeiro da Costa begins at the cliff at the northern end of A Madalena Beach.

Praia de Chamoso is a rocky beach with white sand and calm waters. Praia do Río Castro lies at the mouth of the Río Castro. The river is also called Ventín, Dana or Regato de Laraxe. Praia do Río Castro has calm waters, dark sand and pebbles, and lies on the border between the municipalities of Cabanas and Fene. The coastal stretches described therefore differ both in their terrain and in their location: Chamoso is characterized by rocks and white sand, while Río Castro is marked by the river mouth and dark sand with pebbles.

Cabanas is part of the Parque Natural das Fragas do Eume. Soaserra, Salto and Irís are designated as natural access points.

Circular trails and pilgrimage route

For a shorter circular walk, the A Madalena–Chamoso route covers 4.12 kilometers and takes approximately 55 minutes. The A auga (Maré-Cabada-Batán) circular route is longer, at approximately 7.9 kilometers. It follows the Río Castro canal for 3.4 kilometers, and offers sea views from higher sections. The two route descriptions thus highlight different distances and landscape features.

Sendeiro da Costa begins at the cliff at the northern end of A Madalena. Another circular walk runs from Soaserra to Caaveiro: it passes through the Fraga, partly along the banks of the Río Eume, and continues to Mosteiro de Caaveiro. These routes have different points of reference: a coastal cliff, a river canal, elevated sections, and forest or riverbank.

The Camiño Inglés de Santiago also passes through Cabanas. Here, it forms part of the second stage between Neda and Pontedeume. Within Cabanas, the route begins in the parish of Laraxe and crosses Ponte dos Andrade in the direction of Pontedeume. Those interested in the Way of St. James will therefore find, alongside the circular walks, a pilgrimage route with its own course and stage.

Architectural history and festivities

Pazo de Riobóo was built in the second half of the 17th century. Its architectural features include a Baroque portal and a coat of arms on the north façade, dated to between 1742 and 1748. The construction date of the pazo and the date of the coat of arms are distinct historical details that provide two specific points of reference for its architectural history.

Cabanas is also home to several buildings in the Indian architectural style, whose development was encouraged by Galician emigration in the early years of the 20th century. These buildings add another historical context to the view of the pazo’s older architecture.

The municipality holds festivities each year on the weekend that falls in the week containing July 29. A celebration takes place at Piñeiral da Madalena on the Sunday of the festivities. If you plan to time your trip for this period, check the exact event dates in advance.

Getting there

Cabanas can be reached from A Coruña, Ferrol and Santiago via the N-651 or AP-9. As roads and exits may change, check the current route before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Mazaricos, Calvos, Porto Do Son, Curtis, Condomiña, Dodro, Braño, Oza

For the broader travel overview: Coruña.