Cuntis: River Trails, Thermal History and Festivals

When looking for a hotel in Cuntis, the interests you want to shape your stay can make all the difference when choosing your destination: river trails and viewpoints, thermal history, historic buildings or local festivals. Cuntis brings together these different themes. You can tailor your trip to whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors, explore the town centre or combine your stay with an event date.

Hikes between river, forest and viewpoints

Monte Xesteiras reaches an altitude of 718 metres. From there, views extend to the Arousa Sea, the Cuntis Valley, Pico Sagrado, the countryside around Compostela and the area near Pontevedra through which the Lérez flows. The mountain provides a broad scenic contrast to the trails along the rivers. At the foot of the Fervenza de Hérvedo waterfall, the access path follows the da Patela River to the falls.

The PR-G 123 Senda Peonil da Ponte do Ramo starts at Ponte do Ramo. From Cuntis, you can reach the starting point by taking the PO-8402 towards Cequeril for approximately 6.5 kilometres. Along the banks of the Umia, the trail passes through lush riverside woodland to the Muíños Grande e Pequeno da Puntalta mills. Other features of this route include an old Roman road and the archaeological site of the Cequeril petroglyphs. It is worth checking current trail and road conditions when planning your visit.

Two circular walking routes start at the Balneario Bridge in the town centre. At the Gallo, there are also walking areas with wooden bridges and almost a dozen riverside washing places. In Estacas, an oak grove with a fountain and swings for children offers another option for a walk. Information about the starting points and landscapes can help you choose different focal points for your stay without treating the individual routes as though they were the same.

Thermal history and historic buildings

The historic centre of Cuntis includes covered thermal washing places, the washing places at the Gallo and two public thermal springs. The hot spring “Fuego de Dios” is also associated with an archaeological find: more than 500 bronze coins were discovered there. These places give the town’s thermal heritage a historical dimension; the washing places and springs are also part of local history.

The Igrexa Parroquial de Santa María de Cuntis is an 18th-century building reconstructed using materials from the earlier Romanesque church. The Igrexa de San Félix de Estacas has a different appearance: this single-nave Baroque church has a rectangular floor plan and a Way of the Cross comprising 14 stone crosses. Comparing the two churches shows how Cuntis’s architectural history and differing architectural features can be explored side by side.

Castro Landín also adds to this historical picture. It was inhabited from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD, after which it was permanently abandoned. Its archaeological past thus sits alongside the later churches and the thermal history that continues to shape the town.

Ceramics courses and festivals throughout the year

Ceramics courses are offered at Castrolandín for children, adults and specialist groups. This adds a practical dimension to the subject of archaeology: alongside the history of the settlement, course participants can also learn the basics of a craft technique associated with castreña culture.

San Xoán is celebrated every year on the night of 23 June, coinciding with the summer solstice, in the upper part of Castrolandín. Another festive occasion is the Festa do Lacón con Grelos. It combines traditional winter cuisine with the final days of Carnival and the tradition of the “Entierro del Chapante.” Since it began in 1998, the festival has promoted Cuntis’s cultural and natural heritage.

Las Tres Lagoíñas, on a plateau on Monte Xesteiras, is where Couselo’s traditional “rapa das bestas” takes place in July. The Romaría do Cabalo includes equestrian displays, a picnic, a fair and various performances. Each festival has its own focus: San Xoán is tied to a particular night in June, while the “rapa das bestas” takes place in July. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Arbo, O Rosal, Portomartiño, Mondariz, Eidián, San Bieito, Salcidos, A Cañiza.

For the regional travel overview: Pontevedra.