BOAT TOURS
Navigate between towering cliffs
Navigate between towering cliffs
One of the best ways to explore the canyons and riverbanks of the Sil and Miño is by taking one of the river cruises. This popular guided activity offers a breathtaking view of the riverbanks and the “Paisaje del Agua” (Water Landscape). Several companies operate these river cruises, with departure points at the piers in Abeleda (Castro Caldelas; Ourense), Ponte do Sil (Monforte de Lemos; Lugo), Os Chancís (Sober; Lugo), and Santo Estevo (Nogueira de Ramuín; Ourense), all of which offer a firsthand look at the imposing Sil Canyon, which in some places reaches a vertical drop of 500 meters.
Along the banks of the Miño River, there are also several companies offering guided river cruises along this spectacular stretch of Galicia’s longest river. The departure points are Belesar (O Saviñao), Pincelo (Chantada), and Maiorga (Pantón), all located in the province of Lugo.
Boat departures are subject to water levels in reservoirs and rivers, but this is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Ribeira Sacra. From the water’s surface, you’ll discover “Heroic Viticulture” and the terraces where vineyards grow, defying the laws of gravity, as well as the history of the monasteries and churches, and the landscapes that invite you to retreat.