Val do río Navea

Val do río Navea holds the distinction of being Galicia's very first protected landscape, a status granted by decree in November 2008. The protected zone covers roughly 691 hectares along the Navea river valley, straddling the border between the municipalities of San Xoán de Río and A Pobra de Trives in the province of Ourense.

Why is this valley significant?

The Navea river cuts through a narrow, deeply carved channel, forming a natural corridor that links the central mountain massif of Ourense with the wider Miño-Sil river system. For a range of wildlife species, this valley is effectively the only viable route for moving between the two areas, which gives the corridor an ecological importance well beyond its modest size. A dense network of smaller streams feeding into the main course keeps the valley's microclimate consistently humid, supporting rich broadleaf vegetation along both banks.

Two contrasting sides of the river

The landscape of Val do Navea splits clearly into two distinct halves. On one bank stretches the extensive forest belonging to San Xoán de Río — a dense, largely undisturbed stand of native broadleaf trees that has survived in near-pristine condition thanks to the valley's steep terrain and limited accessibility. On the opposite bank, within the boundaries of Terra de Trives, lie some of the region's most celebrated chestnut groves. Centuries-old chestnut trees still stand here, their size and age testifying to a long-standing local tradition of cultivating the species for both food and trade.

A distinctive feature scattered throughout this side of the valley are the so-called sequeiros — small, single-story stone structures traditionally used to dry harvested chestnuts. These modest, purpose-built buildings are tangible reminders of a rural craft that, for generations, formed one of the economic pillars of mountain villages across the Ourense countryside, with dried chestnuts serving as a staple food source through the winter months.

The Navea bridge — gateway to the valley

The traditional entry point into the protected area is the bridge over the Navea river, built during the Middle Ages atop the remains of an earlier Roman crossing. Modest in scale but historically significant, the stone bridge has for centuries provided the main link between neighboring villages, allowing residents to cross the gorge at a point where the surrounding terrain made passage otherwise difficult. Today it is one of the most photographed spots in the valley and a natural starting point for walks that follow the river's course.

Part of the wider Ribeira Sacra landscape

Val do río Navea sits on the fringes of the better-known Ribeira Sacra region, famed for its terraced vineyards and monasteries built into the steep slopes above the Sil and Miño rivers. While the Navea valley itself doesn't draw the crowds that flock to Ribeira Sacra's main viewpoints, it complements that landscape well — quieter and less discovered, yet just as representative of the rugged terrain that defines eastern Galicia.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Val do río Navea located? The valley lies in the province of Ourense, on the border between the municipalities of San Xoán de Río and A Pobra de Trives, within the Terra de Trives district.

When did the area receive protected status? It was declared a protected landscape by decree in November 2008, making it the first area in Galicia to receive this designation.

What are the main things to see in the valley? Highlights include the medieval bridge over the Navea river, built on Roman foundations; the native forest of San Xoán de Río on one bank; and the historic chestnut groves with their traditional drying structures (sequeiros) on the other.

Why is this valley ecologically important? The Navea acts as a biological corridor connecting the central mountain massif of Ourense with the Miño-Sil river basin, making it a key migration route for local wildlife.