Discover Vilaboa: Hiking Trails, Coastal Views and Cultural Heritage

Vilaboa brings together routes through varied landscapes, archaeological sites, historic structures and a distinctive festival tradition. When planning a stay, it helps to keep these highlights separate: one circular trail leads to petroglyphs, a section of the Camino de Santiago passes a chapel, and salt pans and tides shape the coast. This lets you choose excursions based on whether you mainly want to hike, explore cultural heritage, or combine nature and history.

Hiking Trails and Views in Vilaboa

The section of the Camino de Santiago in Vilaboa is 3.5 kilometres long. The route passes through the parishes of Figueirido and Bértola and by the Capela de Santa Marta, built in 1617. This trail therefore features both the stated distance and a specific historical landmark.

The PR-G 103 Sendeiro dos Petroglifos de Cobres circular trail offers a different focus. It begins in Areeiros and runs through a forest where petroglyphs lie on both sides of the path. A turnoff leads to the Mirador de Acuña. To reach the starting point, take the N-550, then the N-554 and the turnoff for Areeiros in Cobres.

The PR-G Sendeiro dos Muíños de Riomaior trail passes 35 mills and runs between the Casa da Cultura de Río Maior and the mill of Miguel Lois in Bartáns. Stone walls, mill wheels, millstones and water supply systems have been preserved at the mills. A route along the Río Maior also includes the Fervenza de Tras do Río and smaller waterfalls near the beginning and end of the trail. The routes therefore differ in their described highlights: mills and waterfalls on one, and petroglyphs with a turnoff to a viewpoint on the other.

The Miradoiro de Cotorredondo is 550 metres above sea level. From there, views extend over the Rías of Vigo, Pontevedra and Arousa, as well as the Ensenada and the island of San Simón.

Salt Pans, Archaeology and Historic Traces

The Salinas do Ulló in Paredes consist of two adjoining rectangular basins built using a natural cove at the innermost end of the ria. The walls provide simple access to the Ensenada de San Simón. As the tides change, areas are exposed that are rich in mussels and other bivalve shellfish, as well as waterbirds. Salt production at the salt pans ceased in the early 1720s.

Mámoa do Rei, also known as Chan de Castiñeiras, is an archaeological site in Vilaboa. The badly damaged passage tomb lies in a three-metre-high burial mound. Cotorredondo Park includes sites from the Megalithic and Bronze Ages, including burial mounds and petroglyphs. The Cotorredondo recreation area also has clearly laid-out paths; its listed facilities include numerous springs, children’s playgrounds, tables and barbecue areas.

Further historic traces can be found at different locations: the former Granxa das Salinas preserves the remains of a chapel and a monumental stone hearth with a hood. The Forno Caleiro de San Adrián opened in 1936 and operated until the 1960s.

Natural Setting and Festival Tradition

Lago de Castiñeiras is connected to the Portuguese Coastal Way of the Camino de Santiago. The area is easy to access, but generally not wheelchair-accessible because it is entirely natural. As conditions can change, check them before your visit.

The Entroido de Cobres includes the traditional Corrida do Galo on Shrove Tuesday. Beforehand, Madamas and Galáns make their way into the festival grounds accompanied by traditional music and dances. The Entroido de Cobres is considered the only traditional carnival in Galicia whose main figures do not wear masks. Since the Corrida takes place on Shrove Tuesday, check the specific festival dates when planning your trip.

These different interests can help guide your choice of hotel in Vilaboa: you can combine your stay with trails, archaeological sites, salt pans or the seasonal festival programme. Festival dates are especially important if you want the Corrida do Galo to be part of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nigrán, O Baixo Miño, Campelo, Figueiras, Senín, Mos, Pontevedra, Hervés

Back to the main travel overview: Pontevedra.