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Lugo
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Lugo
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Lugo
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Lugo

The natural surroundings of Lugo are a privilege since there is remarkable biodiversity at the gates or even inside of the city. From the great Miño river we can walk through woods until nearly the city wall and admire its great natural value.

Rivers and forests beyond the city wall

The city is strategically located at a high point which looks over the Miño river. The large difference in level between the city and the banks of the river has made it possible for some slopes to still be covered today by a forest of surprising quality. The Miño river also retains a riparian forest and excellent surroundings to enjoy the easy paths that cross it. Finally, the landmark of the city -the bimillenary city wall- is, to a bird's eye, a large rocky cliff filled with small cracks: a magnet for the many birds that use it as a nesting place.

The routes
Mapa de Lugo
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Route on foot: Lugo city wall and Rosalía de Castro park

BEST TIME

Year-round, especially spring.

DISTANCE

3 km

DURATION

1 hour

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

Lugo

PATH

Lugo city wall and Rosalía de Castro park

Mapa de Route 1
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Key points on the route:

  1. The wall and its surroundings deserve constant attention although there are particularly attractive areas such as the surroundings of the cathedral (1). common swifts can be seen in spring and summer, as well as spotless starlings and common starlings in the winter evenings and western jackdaws throughout the year. With some luck, a peregrine falcon can also be located.
  2. In Rosalia de Castro park (2), a few metres from the wall, a number of small forest birds such as the eurasian sparrowhawk, the great tit, the coal tit, the long-tailed tit, the eurasian blue tit and the short-toed treecreeper can be seen. It is an ideal place for beginners in bird watching.

Route on foot or by bicycle: Ponte Vella - Water intake station

BEST TIME

Year-round, especially spring

DISTANCE

4.6 km, one way

DURATION

1.5 hours on foot and a half-hour by bicycle (one way)

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

Lugo

PATH

Ponte Vella - Water intake station

Mapa de Route 2
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Key points on the route:

  1. In the vicinity of Ponte Vella (1) species such as the little grebe, grey wagtail and great cormorant can be seen. In the meadows, it is even possible to locate common snipe in the winter.
  2. In the areas of river rapids (2 and 3) look out for white-throated dipper, especially in winter.
  3. A wooded area (4) surrounds the route's final kilometres. There, it is possible to see species such as the eurasian nuthatch, short-toed treecreeper, song thrush and great spotted woodpecker.

Route on foot or by bicycle: Marcos Cela park - Río da Chanca

BEST TIME

Year-round, especially spring and September

DISTANCE

4.3 km, one way

DURATION

1.5 hours on foot and a half-hour by bicycle (one way)

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

Lugo

PATH

Marcos Cela park - Río da Chanca

Mapa de Route 3
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Key points on the route:

The route runs along easy paths that travel along the surroundings of the Miño river, which has now become a suburban park. Pay attention to river birds such as the grey heron, great cormorant, western yellow wagtail and white-throated dipper. In spring and early summer black kites are common and booted eagles can often be seen. In the meadows of the banks of the smaller Río da Chanca (1), pay attention to smaller birds such as the song thrush and white wagtail. 

Common Swift
Apus apus
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea
European Serin
Serinus serinus
The birds

In the river various characteristic species such as the white-throated dipper, the grey wagtail, the little grebe, the common moorhen, the common sandpiper and the great cormorant can be easily seen. On the slopes, in spring the black kite is common and the booted eagle also reveals itself regularly. 

Tips and resources

  • You are in an urban area so pay attention to vehicle traffic.

  • Urban birds are an excellent educational resource that is easy to observe and available to everyone.

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