Brañas de Xestoso

Brañas de Xestoso is a wetland area of lagoons, peat bogs and moorland straddling the boundary between the municipalities of Forcarei, Silleda and A Estrada, in the high plains where the mountains separating the Deza and Tabeirós districts level out. Covering more than 1,000 hectares, the site was added to the Natura 2000 network in 2001 as a Special Conservation Area (ZEC), making it one of the most valuable natural spaces in this part of Galicia.

What can you find at Brañas de Xestoso?

The landscape is shaped by shallow lagoons, wide stretches of heather moorland and scattered pockets of oak woodland, but the defining feature is the acid peat bog. Within the area lies the Lagoa Sacra de Olives, described as holding the largest expanse of acid peat bog anywhere in Galicia. The ecosystem is believed to have formed after the last glaciation, roughly 12,000 years ago, which places it among the older wetland environments on the Iberian Peninsula.

Why is this place so important for nature?

Peat bogs and wet meadows are rare, fragile habitats — they store water, slow its runoff and create distinctive conditions for bog vegetation and water-dependent bird species. It is this ornithological richness that draws birdwatchers from across Galicia, and the site has been described as a meeting point of nature and birdwatching between the Deza and Tabeirós districts. Peat also acts as a natural archive: organic matter accumulated over thousands of years lets researchers reconstruct the region's past climate and vegetation.

How do you get to Brañas de Xestoso?

The area can be reached via the N-640 road connecting A Estrada with A Bandeira (Silleda), turning off toward Curantes and Olives. A second route runs along the Silleda–Forcarei road, with a signposted turn toward Xestoso. Given the limited tourist infrastructure and the boggy terrain, it's worth planning a visit with suitable footwear and checking the season, since parts of the paths can be harder to access after rainfall.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brañas de Xestoso a nature reserve? Formally it is a Special Conservation Area (ZEC) within the European Natura 2000 network, spanning land in the three municipalities of Forcarei, Silleda and A Estrada.

What is the main attraction here? The Lagoa Sacra de Olives, home to the largest acid peat bog in Galicia, together with the area's rich birdlife tied to its wetland habitats.

How old is this ecosystem? It is estimated to have formed around 12,000 years ago, in the period following the last glaciation.

How big is the protected area? Brañas de Xestoso covers more than 1,000 hectares.

What's the best way to start a visit? The most convenient access is via the N-640 road between A Estrada and A Bandeira, turning off toward Curantes and Olives.