ZEC Río Lérez

ZEC Río Lérez is a Special Area of Conservation within the European Natura 2000 network, protecting the final stretch of the Lérez river in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia. The site straddles the municipalities of Cerdedo-Cotobade, Campo Lameiro and Pontevedra, and finishes right at the mouth of the river, where it flows into the inner part of the Pontevedra estuary next to the city itself. The protected area covers roughly 150 hectares.

How did this protected site come about?

The Río Lérez was first recognised as a Site of Community Importance in December 2004, under the EU Habitats Directive. It was formally upgraded to a Special Area of Conservation in March 2014. The main goal behind the designation is to safeguard the surviving stretches of riverside gallery forest and to maintain conditions that support fish and other species that depend on clean, well-oxygenated river water.

What does the landscape along the river look like?

The most distinctive feature is the band of riparian vegetation — alder and ash trees lining the banks and forming a shaded ecological corridor along the water. Further upstream, near Cerdedo-Cotobade, the landscape shifts to the classic Galician hill scenery of native oak woodland (carballo), heathland and gorse scrub.

Which animals live along the Río Lérez?

The river and its tributaries, including the Almofrei, are recognised fishing reserves, home to brown trout that depend on clean, fast-flowing water. Healthy fish populations in turn support otters, which are regularly recorded along the river channel. The surrounding woods and hillsides are also home to bats and birds such as honey buzzards, red-backed shrikes and Dartford warblers. In the wilder, upper reaches of the catchment, wild boar, roe deer, foxes and pine martens have been observed, alongside birds of prey like goshawks, sparrowhawks and tawny owls.

Why does this site matter for visitors?

ZEC Río Lérez plays a double role: it acts as an ecological corridor protecting river habitats, and it also serves as a natural green extension of the city of Pontevedra, which the river reaches at its mouth. For travellers looking for an easy dose of nature close to an urban centre, it offers a quiet spot for a riverside walk, birdwatching, or simply resting in the shade of the gallery forest without needing to leave the city area behind entirely.

How to get to the Río Lérez conservation area?

The lower stretch of the river, closest to the city, is the easiest to reach — simply head into Pontevedra and follow the riverside path toward the estuary mouth. Sections further from the city, within Cerdedo-Cotobade and Campo Lameiro, require a car journey and reward visitors with a wilder, more forested landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Río Lérez within the protected area? The site is managed primarily for habitat conservation rather than recreational infrastructure, so it's best to follow local signage and the rules that apply to Natura 2000 sites.

Is fishing allowed on the Río Lérez? The river and its tributaries function as trout fishing reserves, meaning angling is subject to specific regulations and usually requires a permit.

What sets this site apart from other Natura 2000 areas in Galicia? Its proximity to a sizeable city, Pontevedra, while still preserving a genuinely natural river corridor — a fairly unusual combination for a protected area almost within an urban perimeter.

Is ZEC Río Lérez worth visiting outside summer? Yes — birdwatching and the calm atmosphere of the gallery forest are appealing for much of the year, particularly in spring and autumn when animal activity tends to pick up.