In the heart of Ribeira Sacra is Cristosendi, a small village with a population of about 40 located on the top of Mount Lede. Its location provides a direct perspective on the Sil Valley, a deep valley carved by rock and water, which forms a riverine landscape of great geographical importance. The vineyards surrounding the village are distributed according to the natural slope of the land, and are integrated with the historic buildings and street design, reflecting how the residents and their settlements adapted to the environment.
The natural environment of Cristosende allows for the development of hiking trails that pass through the valley and the surrounding areas of the village. Through these routes it is possible to observe the vineyards, the distinctive topography of the area and the buildings of heritage value that combine agricultural and historical experience.
The elevated position of the village and the direction of the roads provide various vantage points over the Sil Valley, turning the visit into a route that combines landscape, heritage and rural activity, accessible all year round regardless of weather conditions.
Cristosende and its heritage on top of Mount Lede
Among the most important buildings in Cristosende is a 16th-century manor house known as Casa Grande, which retains an internal courtyard and is currently used for accommodation and restaurant services. The Parish Church of Santa Maria is part of the city’s historical heritage, along with several houses that have been rehabilitated according to their original structure.
The layout of the village makes it possible to take advantage of the slopes of the land to grow vineyards, a distinctive element of the agricultural landscape of the region. The orientation and elevation of Cristosende provide direct views of Sil Canyon, a natural environment that integrates rural activities with environmental conservation. The relationship between historic architecture and the natural environment reflects the settlement’s adaptation to the terrain and the continuity of life in a small rural area.
A few kilometers from the village is Fabrica da Luz, an old hydroelectric plant rehabilitated as a hostel. This point serves as access to one of the region’s most popular routes, the Mau River Bridge Route, which allows visitors to explore part of the valley, as well as observe nearby heritage items such as the San Vitor de Barcacova Cemetery and other surrounding villages. Integrating this infrastructure with the trail network facilitates the connection between historical heritage, agricultural activity and the riverine landscape.
Mau River Gorges Route
The tour starts at Fábrica da Luz, an old hydroelectric power station adapted as a lodge, where you can access trails that cross the Mau River valley to its mouth in the Sil River. Along the way you can see views of the valley and stop at interpretive panels that provide information about the flora and fauna of the environment, enriching the visitor’s experience.
This route is part of PR-G 177, a circular route about 16 kilometers long that allows you to ascend the valley, visit the medieval cemetery of San Lorenzo di Barcacova and visit several villages in the area. The route combines steep sections with flat sections that pass through the Mau River Valley, as well as through crop fields and pastures, offering different types of landscapes along the way.
There are different types of itinerary for those who want to avoid the steeper section between Fábrica da Luz and San Lourenzo, including a circular start from this village and a shorter alternative of about 550 meters crossing Meder Soutos. In all cases, the route combines historical heritage, vineyards and river landscapes, allowing you to explore the relationship between human activity and the natural environment of the Ribeira Sacra.