Mao River Boardwalks, from A Fábrica da Luz (Parada de Sil)

The Mao is a tributary that runs down, hemmed in, to the Sil through the municipality of Parada de Sil, and its last stretch is walked along wooden boardwalks hung above the water. They start at A Fábrica da Luz, a former hydroelectric plant converted into a hostel, and cross the river by a wooden bridge. It is about 850 metres, open all year: the easiest walk to see a canyon from inside, with the water a few metres away and not from a viewpoint.

The short walk and the long loop

The boardwalks. From A Fábrica da Luz the path follows the bank of the Mao along wooden walkways to the end of the section. It is 850 metres each way; unhurried, round trip, allow less than an hour. They are fine for going with children. With a pushchair, ask first at the Parada de Sil tourist office (689 683 713).

The PR-G 177, Canón do Río Mao. If that feels like too little, the same start opens a waymarked route of 16.5 km as a loop, about 6 hrs 30 and medium difficulty. It follows the boardwalks to where the Mao meets the Sil, climbs to Barxacova and San Lourenzo de Barxacova and reaches Forcas, the highest point, via Miranda. It returns to the Mao by the medieval bridge of Conceliñas and by the canle vella, the plant's old canal, towards the chapel and necropolis of San Vítor de Barxacova. There are very hard slopes at the end; if you want to avoid them, start at San Lourenzo de Barxacova and do only the southern part, 11.5 km. It is not for bikes.

Getting there and parking

From Parada de Sil, take the OU-0605 towards A Teixeira and follow the turn-off to the A Fábrica da Luz hostel or to San Lourenzo. From Ourense, take the OU-536 towards Trevinca and, past Valilongo, the OU-CV-303 towards Cristosende: on crossing the Mao is the hostel. The council does not publish its own parking; leave the car without blocking the access and arrive early in summer.

Who it is for

For a quiet while between the visit to Santa Cristina and the Balcones de Madrid, with or without children. The long loop needs strong legs and a whole day. In Parada de Sil there are restaurants, accommodation, a campsite and a health centre; in Barxacova, the hostel.