Penagache

Penagache is a granite viewpoint peak rising above the municipality of Quintela de Leirado, in the province of Ourense, Galicia, right on the border with Portugal. At roughly 1,226 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in the entire municipality and forms part of a mountain range that also includes the Serra da Silva Escura and the valley of the Deva river.

How do you get to the top?

The main route to the summit is the marked trail PR-G 31, known locally as "Ruta O Miradoiro" (the Viewpoint Route). It runs for about 11.5 kilometres, climbing steadily from Quintela de Leirado to the rocky top of Penagache. The path belongs to the wider trail network of the Terra de Celanova – Serra do Xurés area, a region promoted for hiking with more than a dozen signposted routes. The ascent calls for a reasonable level of fitness but involves no technical climbing, making it accessible to moderately experienced walkers.

What will you see once you're up there?

The summit opens onto views across three river valleys at once: the Deva, the Arnoia and the Miño. On a clear day the panorama stretches far into Galicia and across the border toward Portugal's Peneda-Gerês National Park. The bare granite outcrops at the top create a natural balcony that draws both hikers and air-sports enthusiasts — Penagache has a reputation among paragliding and hang-gliding pilots for its steady, favourable flying conditions.

The surrounding slopes also hold traces of a much older human presence. Close to the summit, at around 1,257 metres, stands a dolmen known as the Dolmen de Penagache (also recorded as Mamoa da Portela do Pau), a surviving burial chamber with five standing stones. It is just one of many megalithic remains scattered across the mountainside — more than a hundred burial mounds have been catalogued in the wider area, pointing to dense prehistoric settlement here. The peak's name itself has a documented history going back to at least the 18th century: the 1749 Catastro de Ensenada already recorded it as "Pena Gache."

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn bring the mildest weather and generally the clearest views from the top. Summer hiking is pleasant too, especially if you set off early to beat the heat that builds up in the lower valleys. Winter can bring cold wind and low cloud that limit visibility, but the trail remains a realistic option for well-prepared hikers outside the harshest conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Penagache? The peak reaches about 1,226 metres above sea level, the highest point in the municipality of Quintela de Leirado.

How long does the hike to the summit take? The PR-G 31 "Ruta O Miradoiro" trail covers roughly 11.5 kilometres; walking it there and back typically takes most of a day, depending on pace and fitness.

Are there any historic sites on Penagache? Yes — near the summit stands a dolmen, the Dolmen de Penagache, alongside numerous prehistoric burial mounds that testify to early settlement in the area.

Can you do air sports there? Yes, the slopes of Penagache are known for reliable paragliding and hang-gliding conditions, thanks to the mountain's exposure and thermal activity.