What to do · Costa da Morte
Climbing A Moa, the Summit of Monte Pindo, from O Pindo
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 3 h
- Distance
- 8 km
- Season
- All year, in dry weather
- Who it's for
- Walkers with good footwear; demanding in the first part
Monte Pindo is the granite mass that rises almost from the water between O Ézaro and Carnota: 627 metres high just 2 km from the sea, with the summit at A Moa. You climb on foot from the village of O Pindo along a signposted path of about 4 km each way, in around three hours round trip. It costs nothing and the reward is seeing from above the Ría de Corcubión, Cape Fisterra and the Carnota sands.
The path to A Moa
The route starts next to the churchyard of O Pindo and is linear: you go up and down the same way. The Costa da Morte guide rates it medium difficulty, but the first part is the hard one, very steep among blocks of stone. On the way you pass old water mills and a cave where fugitives hid during the Civil War. Higher up are the remains of the castelo de San Xurxo, a fortification of which pieces of wall can be seen, and you reach the Chan de Lourenzo, a clearing among giant rocks with remains of a wolfram mine. Near the summit there are wooden tables to rest at.
What most catches the eye is the stone. Turismo de Galicia presents it as a national geological point of interest: the granite forms figures, like the one they call the warrior, and natural rock castles. The slope also bears the marks of fires. For all this the Pindo is called the Celtic Olympus.
Before you climb
Turismo de Galicia asks for caution above all on the descent, which is steep and has loose stone: wear mountain footwear, bring water and some warm clothing, because it is windy up there. In rain or fog the granite is slippery and the views are lost, so save the climb for a dry, clear day. The mountain is part of a Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation, Carnota-Monte Pindo, of more than 4,600 hectares: don't leave the path.
On the way down, praia de San Pedro, in the same village, is good for a summer swim. The fervenza do Ézaro is on the other side of the mountain, a few minutes by car, and from the water you can see the Pindo from below with the kayak up the Xallas estuary.
Tips
- Climb in the morning That way you come down in daylight and have the afternoon for the waterfall or for Fisterra.
- Carry the track on your phone The route is signposted, and the Costa da Morte guide also links a GPS track.
- Better with teenagers than small children The first part, very steep among rocks, feels long for short legs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Monte Pindo?
About three hours round trip from the church of O Pindo, along a path of about 4 km each way.
Is it difficult?
Medium difficulty, with a very steep first part among rocks and a descent that calls for care.
How high is the Pindo?
627 metres, with the summit at A Moa.
Is there somewhere to eat up there?
No: bring water and food. There are wooden tables near the summit.
With teenagers
