Do you want to experience an authentic Galicia, far from the crowded destinations? If you’re drawn to nature, history, or simply wandering without time, A Terra Chá has so much to offer. From peaceful trails through lagoons and forests to archaeological sites that tell stories of millennia, our land is waiting for you to discover.
Hiking & Cycling
Walking through A Terra Chá is an adventure waiting to unfold — one step at a time. Its gentle, expansive landscapes invite you to lose yourself along riverside paths, ancient pilgrimage routes, and trails that weave through hillforts, oak groves, and wetlands. From the circular route around the Viladonga Hillfort in Castro de Rei to the tranquil riverside walks of Vilalba, or the enchanting trails that wind through the forests of Muras and up to the heights of Xistral, each municipality offers a unique opportunity to explore the region at your own pace — embracing the quiet wonders of nature.
This is also an ideal landscape for cyclists of every skill level. Amidst meadows, forests, and charming villages, you’ll find gentle circular routes as well as more challenging trails. And if mountain biking thrills you, don’t miss the Ruta do Queixo San Simón da Costa, with over 50 km of exhilarating terrain and stunning panoramic views.
Birdwatching & wildlife observation
If you find joy in witnessing nature in its purest form, A Terra Chá opens the door to that experience. Lagoons such as Cospeito, Caque, and Riocaldo, together with wetlands, meadows, and riverbanks, form a vibrant mosaic of ecosystems where herons, ducks, grebes, plovers, and even the rare Montagu’s harrier can be spotted. It’s estimated that over 200 bird species call this land home, many of them protected or endangered. Here, you’ll even find the only breeding population of Eurasian curlew on the Iberian Peninsula. You are in the vivid heart of the Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve, one of Galicia’s premier birdwatching destinations.
If you’re travelling with family, it’s the perfect opportunity to spark your children’s curiosity and help them rediscover the beauty of the natural world around them. All it takes is a bit of time, a pair of binoculars… and a sense of wonder.
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Starlight
As night falls, A Terra Chá continues to shine. With minimal light pollution, it stands among the finest places in Galicia for stargazing. The municipality of Muras, proudly certified as a Starlight Tourist Destination, offers perfect conditions to revel in the splendour of the night sky.
From the majestic heights of the Serra do Xistral or A Veiga de Pumar, darkness becomes a companion, inviting you to gaze at the Milky Way, watch meteor showers, and trace constellations with a clarity rarely found elsewhere.
An extraordinary experience awaits those who cherish the stars — or simply long to reconnect with a sky brimming with wonder.
Wellness & Thermal Destination
Do you yearn to pause, breathe deeply, and rejuvenate your spirit? A Terra Chá is a true sanctuary of tranquility. Its waters, treasured for generations for their restorative qualities, still flow from springs, pools, and fountains steeped in history.
Spas and natural surroundings come together here to offer you a restorative pause. Embrace the moment to indulge, restore your spirit… and let the water work its magic.
Riverside leisure areas
From riverbanks to forested landscapes adorned with breathtaking views, each municipality reveals its own treasures, inviting you to pause, breathe deeply, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Take your time, bring a cozy blanket and a picnic basket, and savour the moment! Discover them
Celebrations & cultural events
Cultural life in A Terra Chá thrives in a vibrant symphony of music, fairs, and the arts. Throughout the year, its municipalities host festivals that beautifully weave together the richness of tradition with modern creativity, evolving into must-see events that now resonate even beyond Galicia’s borders. Open-air concerts, artisan markets, exhibitions, cultural trails, and workshops for all ages transform the rural landscape into a vast stage, turning the everyday into a joyful celebration.
These gatherings not only bring life to the streets and squares, but also invite you to become part of a dynamic, imaginative community. If you can, plan your visit to coincide with one of these festivals — you’re sure to discover a side of Galicia you never imagined.
Culinary fairs & traditions
In A Terra Chá, the art of gastronomy is embraced with exuberance. Throughout the seasons, towns and parishes come alive with fairs and festivals where the exquisite flavours of the region bring people together in joyful celebration. Our award-winning San Simón da Costa cheese, with its distinctive smoky aroma; the carefully reared capons; corn cakes, almond pastries, tarts, crêpes, ¨freces¨, turnip greens, chestnuts, honey and empanadas — all represent just a glimpse of the culinary treasures we proudly honour here.
More than mere tastings, these celebrations offer an immersion into the very heart of local culture: vibrant markets, enchanting music, sacred pilgrimages, and cherished recipes passed down through generations. An experience where flavor, history, and heartfelt hospitality blend in perfect harmony.
Prepare to savor, explore, and celebrate just like everyone else. For here, enjoying good food is not just a pleasure; it’s a way of life.
Are you in search of new adventures?
In A Terra Chá, the spirit of adventure thrives in the great outdoors. Local companies offer a wide range of exhilarating activities — from hiking, cycling, and kayaking to archery and paintball — perfect for sharing with friends or family. Each municipality proudly hosts its own races and sporting events, inviting you to explore the region while staying on the move.
And for those seeking to take their experience to new heights, the Rozas Aerodrome in Castro de Rei offers something truly unique: introductory flights, parachute jumps, and much more during the Galician Aeronautical Criterium, an annual event that lets you discover the breathtaking landscapes of A Terra Chá from above.
Falconry & traditional hunting
In the heart of A Terra Chá, you’ll find Galicia’s largest hunting ground, spanning more than 46,000 hectares across the municipalities of Cospeito, Castro de Rei, A Pastoriza, and part of Vilalba. This vast natural realm is a sanctuary where wildlife and landscape exist in perfect harmony, offering a captivating setting for those who cherish the beauty of the outdoors.
Notably, it features an exclusive falconry zone — a true rarity in Galicia that makes A Terra Chá a remarkable destination to witness the ancient art of hunting with birds of prey and to discover a lesser-known facet of Galicia’s natural heritage.
Your fishing paradise
A Terra Chá is a haven for those who cherish the art of fishing amid pristine natural landscapes. Its rivers shelter trout, a variety of native species, and even the last remaining populations of Atlantic salmon in Galicia. Across these waterways, you’ll find designated zones for both traditional fishing and the rewarding practice of catch and release.
Official App of the Xunta de Galicia with all the information about fishing preserves in A Terra Chá.
The timeless Northern Way of St. James gracefully crosses the A Terra Chá region from north to south, leaving an indelible mark on four of its municipalities: Abadín, Vilalba, Begonte, and Guitiriz.
This stretch of the Way offers a serene, less-traveled pilgrimage — ideal for those seeking a deeper connection with nature. The route winds through open plains, lush forests, historic roads, Romanesque churches, and villages steeped in heritage.
In Abadín, the beautiful Romanesque church of Santa María welcomes pilgrims before they enter an impressive tree tunnel, one of the most beautiful and distinctive stretches of the entire Camino. Vilalba surprises with its magnificent medieval Tower and a lively historic centre. In Begonte, walkers find river landscapes and peaceful paths that invite them to slow down. And in Guitiriz, the medieval bridge of San Alberte and its Gothic chapel become one of the most iconic corners of the Camino. A route where history, nature and spirituality come together at every step.