Catasós Forest

Catasós Forest is a small but remarkable woodland on the outskirts of Lalín, in the province of Pontevedra, in the Spanish region of Galicia. Since 2000 it has held protected status as a natural monument for its landscape and ecological value, and its coordinates place it at roughly 42.636°N, 8.095°W.

What makes this forest special?

The main draw of the forest is its collection of ancient chestnut trees of striking size — several specimens rank among the largest of their kind in Europe. Some trunks rise past 30 metres and measure more than six metres in circumference, dimensions that reflect centuries of growth under the favourable soil and climate conditions typical of Galicia. The trees were planted at the start of the 19th century on land that once belonged to the Quiroga family, owners of a nearby pazo (a traditional Galician manor house) — which is why the forest is also known locally as "Carballeira de Quiroga."

What is the walk through the forest like?

A loop trail roughly one kilometre long runs through the site, clearly marked with green oak-leaf symbols and accompanied by informative panels. The route is easy and comfortable, taking under an hour to complete, which makes it well suited to families with children or as a short stop during a longer trip through the region. A defining feature of the walk is the constant upward glance it invites, as visitors follow the towering canopies of the giant trees lining the path.

Where exactly is it located?

The entrance to Catasós Forest sits right beside the N-525 road, which connects Ourense and Lalín, about three kilometres before reaching the town itself. This location makes the forest easy to reach for travellers driving through the area, as well as a convenient addition for anyone exploring Lalín as part of a broader route through the Rías Baixas region.

Why is it worth a visit?

Catasós Forest stands out above all for the scale and age of its trees — walking among chestnuts that are centuries old offers a rare sense of encountering a living natural monument in such a concentrated setting. It also illustrates how a former aristocratic estate, the pazo of the Quiroga family, gradually turned into a protected public space open to any visitor. Because the loop takes so little time to complete, the forest fits neatly into a day that also includes sightseeing in Lalín and its surroundings, without requiring a full day set aside just for the visit.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to walk through Catasós Forest? Completing the full loop takes under an hour, making it manageable for families with children as well.

Is the forest well signposted? Yes, the trail is clearly marked with green oak-leaf symbols, and information panels along the way describe the trees and the history of the site.

Where does the name "Carballeira de Quiroga" come from? The land where the trees grow once belonged to the Quiroga family, owners of the nearby pazo, which is why the forest is also known by this alternative name.

How do you get to Catasós Forest? The entrance is located beside the N-525 road connecting Ourense and Lalín, about three kilometres before reaching the town.

Since when has the forest been protected? Catasós Forest has held natural monument status since the year 2000.