Souto da Retorta

Souto da Retorta is one of the most remarkable natural spots on the Galician coast — a eucalyptus grove protected as a Natural Monument, home to some of the largest trees in Europe. It lies in the parish of Chavín, within the municipality of Viveiro, on the right bank of the Landro River, roughly 6 kilometers from the town center.

Why is this forest full of eucalyptus trees?

The story of this place goes back to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, when the area was planted with eucalyptus trees. The goal was not tourism but drainage — the land was regularly flooded by the waters of the Landro River, and eucalyptus, a fast-growing species with a high water uptake, was well suited to drying out the soggy ground. No one at the time could have predicted the trees would eventually reach the scale that now draws visitors from across Spain.

How many trees are there, and how big do they get?

Across roughly 3.2 hectares grow close to 600 eucalyptus trees, many of them over a hundred years old and reaching impressive dimensions in both height and trunk volume. Because of this scale, Souto da Retorta is considered one of the sites with the largest eucalyptus specimens on the European continent.

Who is the "Grandfather of Chavín"?

The true star of the grove is a tree known as "O Avó" (The Grandfather), whose trunk exceeds 2.5 meters in diameter. It ranks among the largest single trees in Europe and is listed in the Galician catalog of singular trees. Its sheer size is striking even to visitors who have seen many old trees elsewhere — a living monument to more than a century of growth.

What protection status does the site have?

Souto da Retorta was declared a Natural Monument in 2000 and has since been part of the Galician Network of Protected Areas. This designation protects not only the trees themselves but the wider ecosystem that has developed around them over the decades.

What is the visit like?

The site is explored on foot, walking among the giant trunks along marked paths. The route continues toward a small power plant and a waterfall known locally as "o salto do can". The walk requires no special fitness and is suitable for most visitors, including families with children.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Souto da Retorta located? In the parish of Chavín, municipality of Viveiro, on the right bank of the Landro River, about 6 km from Viveiro.

Why are there eucalyptus trees here instead of native species? They were deliberately planted at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries to drain land regularly flooded by the Landro River.

What else is there to see besides the forest itself? The path also leads to a small hydroelectric plant and the "o salto do can" waterfall.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, since 2000 Souto da Retorta has held Natural Monument status and forms part of the Galician Network of Protected Areas.

How long does a visit take? Walking the main paths typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on pace and how many stops you make at individual trees.