Natura Network
Guardians of biodiversity
The province of Pontevedra conserves enclaves of important ecological value in which unique species survive.
In the province of Pontevedra you will find enclaves of great ecological value that form part of the Natura 2000 Network, a European project aimed at guaranteeing the survival of species and habitats and which fully coincides with the model of tourism that the Pontevedra Provincial Council is committed to, centred on respect for the territory and the conservation of the biodiversity of ecosystems.
The highest level of protection was granted to the Costa da Vela, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), following the Community nomenclature, which the regional administration recognises with certain variations as a Special Area for the Protection of Natural Values (SPAVNV). This is a way of highlighting and promoting the protection of this impressive stretch of coastline that forms the westernmost tip of the O Morrazo peninsula.
The spectacular sunset from Cabo Home, with the Cíes Islands in front, or the formidable view from O Facho mountain over the cliffs of Donón are well worth a visit to this privileged natural enclave located at the end of the Vigo and Pontevedra estuaries, where a total of 18 protected species survive, most of them mammals and birds.
Pontevedra also has three Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPA): the Atlantic Islands National Park, with an important colony of yellow-legged gulls, the Miño estuary, the natural border between Galicia and northern Portugal, and the Umia-O Grove Intertidal Complex. The latter is a place of extraordinary beauty and enormous biological wealth that extends along the entire estuary of the Umia river, from the peninsula of O Grove to Cambados.
As Rías Baixas also has other areas distinguished within the Natura Network, a figure that seeks new opportunities for the development of traditional productive activities, recreational activities and tourism, always guaranteeing the conservation of local resources. We review the list:
A Ramallosa. The protected area covers the estuary of the river Miñor, almost completely enclosed by the beach of A Ladeira. There are 92 hectares of marshes and dunes, home to 17 specific species designated by a European directive. The Sabarís observatory has large windows and telescopic equipment for viewing the marsh's varied fauna.
Cape Udra. This is a unique natural area on the O Morrazo peninsula with a great botanical and faunal richness. It is home to 26 protected species, 21 birds and three mammals.
San Simón Cove. It is located between Vilaboa, Redondela and Soutomaior. It covers around 2,200 hectares, 95% of which is a marine area that is home to 26 protected species, 21 of which are birds and 3 mammals. It has an important representation of intertidal habitat on sandy mud. The duck population reaches 3,500 specimens and hosts waders during the migratory season.
Estelas Islands. The protected area covers 700 hectares comprising 99% of a marine area chosen by six species of birds. The importance of this spot lies in its small archipelago near the coast, with well-preserved seabed.
Journey to the interior of the province
Brañas de Xestoso. This unique enclave in the regions of Deza and Tabeirós is made up of a series of lagoons and wetlands located between the municipalities of A Estrada, Forcarei and Silleda. They occupy a thousand hectares of land made up mainly of scrubland and peat bogs and are home to up to 16 sensitive species.
Gándaras de Budiño. This is about a thousand hectares in the municipality of O Porriño on important riparian forest formations in the basin of the river Louro. It is notable for its varied vegetation and is home to 39 protected species, 27 of which are birds and 5 mammals.
Monte Aloia is the only natural park in Pontevedra and the sixth in the Galician community. In its more than 700 hectares there are 21 protected species of which, once again, the majority are birds, with a total of ten.
Monte Faro is located on the border between Lugo and Pontevedra. From its mountains you can also see the provinces of Lugo and Ourense. Its 3,000 hectares are home to 20 protected species, more than half of which are birds. The importance of this natural area lies in its mid-mountain characteristics.
O Candán mountain range. It occupies more than 10,000 hectares in which 36 fundamental species coexist. Among them are 18 birds and 6 mammals, including a breeding core of wolves.
Sierra do Cando. It exceeds 5,000 hectares of Atlantic and riverside forest combined with scrubland, sheltering up to 26 protected species. Among the most numerous are 12 species of birds, 5 of mammals and another 5 of invertebrates.
Sobreiral do Arnego: More than 1,000 hectares of Atlantic forest with Mediterranean influence. It borders several municipalities in the northern interior of Pontevedra and contains 30 sensitive species. The most numerous are once again birds, with 13 of special attention, followed by 7 invertebrates and 5 mammals.
O Careón mountain range (Pontevedra section). This is a mountain range of moderate altitude that partially occupies the municipality of Agolada.
River areas
The rest of the areas correspond to zones that limit the basins of different rivers. They are the rivers Lérez, Tea and the Ulla-Deza river system, the first of which covers a modest surface area of 150 hectares and is home to 30 protected species, 18 of which are birds. Its importance lies in the fish farming potential of the river course and its riparian vegetation.
For its part, the delimited area of the Tea reaches 356 hectares with 35 species under the protection of the Natura 2000 Network. In addition to its riparian formation, it is an important river course for Atlantic salmon.
The Ulla-Deza river system covers an area of over 1,600 hectares, home to 49 species. Among the most numerous are 24 protected bird species, 9 invertebrates, 6 mammals and 6 fish species.
