Provincial Council catamaran from Ponte do Sil to Santa Cristina

This is the Lugo Provincial Council's boat route through the Sil canyon, and the one that goes furthest in: it leaves from the Council's jetty at Ponte do Sil, in the municipality of Monforte de Lemos, beside the bridge on the Castro Caldelas road, and sails downstream along the Santo Estevo reservoir to the area of the Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil monastery. It is about two hours, round trip, with a guided tour on board, and it is also the cheapest in the canyon.

Downstream, towards Santa Cristina

On leaving the jetty the boat passes beneath the vineyard slopes of the Lugo bank, that of Doade and Amandi, with wineries hanging over the water and stone terraces that drop almost to the river. Then the canyon closes in and enters its steepest stretch, that of the granite walls. The guide tells the history of the Ribeira Sacra, its monasteries and how vines are grown on those slopes. The turning point is the area of Santa Cristina, which appears among chestnut trees on the Ourense slope; the Provincial Council describes the route as a round trip and does not announce disembarkation.

The large catamaran is called Mencía and its lower deck is accessible. Bring a layer even if it is sunny: on the canyon water it is cooler than above.

Price and who pays less

The standard fare costs €9 and the reduced one €5: it applies to the Carné Joven, students, pensioners, the unemployed, large families, people with disabilities and children aged 4 to 12. Ages 0 to 3 do not pay, but the child needs a ticket. Groups of more than 30 people pay €7 and €4.

Named ticket and ID to hand

Boarding is by booking only, at reservas.rutasembalses.es. Tickets are named: when buying them you are asked for the first name, surnames, ID or passport number and date of birth of each passenger. On the day of departure, report to the jetty at least 30 minutes early with the document and, if you pay the reduced fare, with whatever justifies it. Dates and times are not published separately: they are seen in the website's calendar when you choose a day.

Pets are not allowed on board, except assistance dogs. If you use a wheelchair, call before buying on 982 260 196, from 9:00 to 20:00: access depends on the level of the reservoir that day.

Getting to Ponte do Sil

From Monforte it is about 20 minutes along the OU-0605, the Castro Caldelas road, to the bridge over the Sil. The jetty has a café to wait in. On the opposite bank the shorter A Abeleda catamaran departs. If you want to see Santa Cristina inside, the monastery visit is made by road or on foot along the PR-G 98 route. The boat fits into the plan Sunday in Monforte de Lemos.