Río Tambre

Río Tambre is one of the most significant rivers in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, flowing through the area around the municipality of Ordes in the region known as Terras de Ordes. It stretches roughly 125–130 km and drains a basin of over 1,500 km², rising near the Sobrado lagoon and eventually reaching the Atlantic at the Muros e Noia estuary.

How does the river cross the Ordes area?

As it winds through Terras de Ordes, the Tambre passes through several neighboring municipalities: Mesía, Frades, Oroso, Ordes, Trazo and Tordoia. Along this stretch it picks up two tributaries — the Lengüelle river, which runs along the western border with Tordoia before joining the Tambre, and the Samo river, which flows into the Tambre along the eastern border with Mesía and Frades. This section of the valley is marked by rich riverside vegetation typical of the river's middle and upper course.

Why is this stretch of the river protected?

The middle and upper basin of the Río Tambre, including the area around Ordes, was designated a Site of Community Importance (LIC) under the Natura 2000 network in 2001, and later gained status as a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC). The protection is largely due to the well-preserved riparian vegetation and the ecological value of the riverbed as a habitat for aquatic fauna. The waters of the Tambre are home to brown trout, eels and even lamprey — species characteristic of Galicia's inland waterways.

What else is worth knowing about this part of the Tambre?

The stretch flowing through Terras de Ordes is part of a longer, scenic river course that also features landscape landmarks such as the Ponte Maceira bridge near Negreira, further downstream. Through the Mesía and Ordes areas runs the Ruta Fraga dos Muíños trail, marked as PR-G 117, which lets visitors get close to the riverbed and take in the surrounding landscape on foot.

It is also worth noting that near the river's source, around the Sobrado lagoon, lies one of the most important wetlands in Galicia, also protected under the Natura 2000 network — a reminder that the ecological significance of the Tambre extends well beyond its middle course near Ordes.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Río Tambre? The river runs for around 125–130 km and drains a basin covering more than 1,500 km².

Which municipalities does the Tambre cross near Ordes? It flows through Mesía, Frades, Oroso, Ordes, Trazo and Tordoia, picking up the Lengüelle and Samo tributaries along the way.

Why was this stretch of the river given protected status? Because of its rich riverside vegetation and its value as a habitat for fish such as trout, eels and lamprey — the area has held LIC/ZEC status under Natura 2000 since 2001.

Are there hiking trails nearby? Yes, the PR-G 117 trail (Ruta Fraga dos Muíños) runs through the Mesía and Ordes areas, offering a walking route along the river valley.