The best MTB trails around Ares

In this church Iglesia parroquial de Santiago, besides the pilgrim stamp, there is also a very personal pilgrim blessing for the onward journey

The 16th-century tower, 18 m high and 11.5 m wide, is the remnant of the Andrade family palace and today houses the Tourist Info of the town of Pontedeume.

A beautiful place, in a magical enclave, a must-see for anyone in the area.

A fully restored former monastery, a visit is highly recommended. To visit, you must cross the Fragas do Eume Natural Park. There are minibuses that can take you there, but I recommend walking to fully enjoy the scenery. The monastery offers information services, tours, and even a small bar where you can grab a bite to eat and recharge your batteries. Don't forget to visit the old mill, located about 300 meters down a side slope, with a spectacular stone bridge.

A very well-preserved and restored former monastery, its location in the Fragas do Eume gives it a unique atmosphere, surrounded by forest and the river itself. The walk alone is a delight. Restored a few years ago, it is in perfect condition, admission is free, and there is an information service and a guide. There is also a small bar where you can recharge your batteries before returning (note that there is a minibus service that takes you to the monastery a couple of times an hour, although I highly recommend enjoying the walk parallel to the river—it's simply spectacular). Regarding the monastery, the different rooms are very well restored, with information, images, and photographs that take us back to its time as a monastery. A trip down to the old mill is also highly recommended; it's only 300 meters away and has a huge bridge next to it.

This bridge is located near the monastery but separate from it. Many people don't visit it because they don't know its location. This is a shame because it's so close (just walk down a very wide and pretty side path for about 200 meters) and you'll reach this enormous stone bridge under which the river flows. On one side are the remains of the old mill; on the other, a fountain and information panels with routes (if you continue walking, you'll find a steep climb along a path that will take you to As Neves (Capela).

It has two different parts: the main chapel - built by Fernando de Andrade in 1538 - and the rest of the church, the work of Archbishop Rajoy at the end of the 18th century. In the main chapel, the intricate ribs of the vault and the Renaissance altarpiece from 1561 stand out. The image of Santiago Apóstol that is in the central area of the altarpiece was buried in the presbytery in 1961 when some work was underway. The rest of the church is organized on a Latin cross plan with poorly marked arms and three naves, of which the central one is covered by a barrel vault. It is made up of three "streets", two canvases were torn from the central one to place the tabernacle and the image of the patron saint, Santiago. On the façade there are three doors, the central one is crowned by the coat of arms of Fernando de Andrade, an equestrian statue of Santiago Apóstol and a plaque of the Heart of Jesus with his motto "I will reign in Spain", placed in 1900 to commemorate the beginning of the century. In its upper part there are still allusions to the heraldic emblems of the Andrade family. On the Gospel side is the tomb of Fernando de Andrade where he was moved from the center of the chapel in 1758.

Together with the Castelo de San Felipe, on the opposite bank, they guarded the entrance to the Ferrol Estuary.