Viewpoints

Monte Louro is one of Galicia’s most renowned scenery. Recently called the “Galician inselberg”, it is not really an island-mountain, but a peninsula-mountain, which in itself is rare. If we add to this the peculiarity of its double summit, the attraction increases. And even more, it multiplies exponentially when we put it in reference to the beach of Areia Maior and the lagoon of Xalfas. Together, these three elements form a common postcard in Galician tourism campaigns.

Monte Louro, the great watchtower of the estuary, more than looking, it is looked at. From all points its curious figure can be seen. A hundred photos are taken of it every day from a hundred places.

Here we are going to propose something else: we are going to stop looking at Monte Louro (it is going to cost us, such is its attraction…) to climb it and enjoy its views. A different point of view. Another way to enjoy a magical environment. The climb is complicated, it requires effort… like all beautiful things.

The ascent to Monte Oroso is an ascent with both religious and mythical values. Religious values because it starts at the Convent of San Francisco, a very well preserved monument which is well worth a visit. Furthermore, the reason for the ascent is to follow the steps of a beautiful via crucis, which will surprise us with its originality.

The ascent is fairly gentle, as it winds its way up the hillside without requiring any complicated slopes.

We climb one step at a time towards the summit. The other aspect, the mythical one, improves with each step; as our altitude improves, so does the view of Monte Louro. We have a better and better perspective. Surely you don’t need any more encouragement to climb Monte Oroso…

The Monte Tremuzo in Outes has a peculiarity: it is the one that offers us a southern perspective. In our estuary they are more abundant on the southern slope, facing north, which is why we must climb Tremuzo.

The climb can be done on foot, in fact it is one of the hiking routes we propose, but it is also possible to get almost to the summit in our vehicle. There, a curious view awaits us from the centre of the estuary, in the company of the wind turbines, which are its most obvious landmark.

We will find several similar summits and we will feel like touring them. It will be worth it.

The Monte Castelo (Outes) awaits us at the end of the estuary. Its position gives it a unique view: unlike the other viewpoints, this one shows us the estuary in longitudinal view, from the bottom to the mouth. In this way we can perceive the variation of contours: headlands, small gulfs, inlets, beaches, coves, islands, islets… A spectacular view that surprises us with its unexpectedness.

Next to us we will have another curiosity: the Pedra Serpal, a large stone mass, placed on a summit, which is currently a destination for climbers and which historically served as a reference for ships entering the estuary, such is its singularity and capacity for attention, especially when it shines out among the wooded masses. We recommend a visit to Monte Castelo.

As we assume from the outset that Noia, an important town since the Middle Ages, is a very urban reality, we might think that it would be left out of this list, but this is not the case.

“The Little Compostela” would also like to add a viewpoint to our list. We find it on the way to Porto do Son, a little before the parish of Boa.

Climbing up on the left hand side, we can reach the viewpoint of Monte San Lois. We can do this on foot or by car on a tarmac road, but remember that there will not be too many parking spaces at the summit.

There awaits us one of those participants in the unofficial “best bench in the world” contest. In this case it is focused on Monte Louro (we expected nothing else…).

The best time to enjoy its views is at sunset, when the sun tinges its disappearance with red, or a little earlier, as in the case of the photo shown here, in which the estuary appears as a beautiful silver field. In any case, the short climb will have been well worth it.

The Monte Culou (Lousame) is a very popular viewpoint. This is mainly due to the fact that it forms part of one of our most outstanding hiking routes, the Vilacoba and San Xusto River route, which in its long version (21 kilometres) ascends to this summit on its approach to the Monastery of Toxosoutos.

The ascent is gentle and can also be done by car. From there we can contemplate a privileged view of the gentle contours of our estuary.

A Muralla (Lousame) is the highest point of our estuary, but its location, far from the coast, does not lead us to assume that the views are particularly recommendable. This is a serious mistake. The absence of other neighbouring peaks means that the view from A Muralla mountain allows us to glimpse a 360-degree outline. For this reason a modern viewpoint was recently built, to gain a little more altitude, as if launching us into the void, so that we can see the whole of our estuary, but also the Atlantic islands, the end of the Arousa estuary and even Santiago de Compostela. Don’t you think so? Then go up… and you’ll see!

The Iroite (Lousame) and the Enxa (Porto do Son) are the headwaters of what are known as “the balconies”: paths parallel to the estuary that allow you to stretch your eyes while walking, running or mountain biking, because although vehicles can also pass through here, the majority of people who do sport here enjoy such fantastic viewpoints. From an abandoned Iroite lookout hut we took these curious photos as a sample. The day was not very good, but the view was!

The Enxa forms part of several hiking routes in Porto do Son and also of some that start in neighbouring Lousame. In a way, it marks the end of the estuary, since, although there is still a viewpoint further south, at this point the estuary is already open to the sea. The view is spectacular and we are also grateful for the visit of the wild horses, which often run around this mountain and the neighbours.

The Atalaya is not a mountain, but it also deserves to be on this list. In the heart of Porto do Son, a slight promontory with a small chapel becomes a centre of attraction. All those who come to the village end up approaching this viewpoint that offers a beautiful view of the inevitable Louro and also of some of the beaches of Son, such as Arnela or Fonforrón. If you come to Porto do Son, you are sure to end up here.

The estuary and the viewpoints end with Mount Tahume (Porto do Son), close to the border with Ribeira. It can be climbed by car… and we almost recommend it, because unlike the other peaks we have mentioned, the slopes on the ascent to Tahume are really steep. On the other hand, from its excellent location, you can stretch your eyes to infinity. No further than that, that is not for humans.