Ribeira Sacra

Ribeira Sacra Overview

A self-guided walking holiday in the wine country of Ribeira Sacra in Southern Galicia, following the deep gorges of the Sil and Minho rivers to Ourense.

Tucked away in the south of Galicia, Spain’s most north-westerly province, is the wine country of Ribeira Sacra – “Holy riverside”, a name that stems from the vineyards in the area established by monks in the Dark Ages. The country is incised with deep valleys offering extensive south-facing slopes perfectly designed for the ripening of the grape, though with practical challenges imposed by the steepness of the terrain. For many years this was a forgotten area, and it is only recently that the wines produced here are getting the recognition they deserve.

For the walker the attraction of the area is in the dramatic gorge scenery, and our route makes the most of the riverine landscapes, starting in the citadel of Castro de Caldelas, and finishing after an exploration of two gorges (the Sil and the Minho and their associated hinterlands) in the capital of the region, Ourense. The old town is crammed with cobbled streets and historic buildings, and a particularly fine collection of tapas bars, each carefully checked by the writers.

Two different 6-night versions of this holiday are also available, all ending with a night in Ourense. See the On Foot Holidays website for details of prices and dates.