Central Galicia boasts extensive areas of well conserved traditional landscape. Extensive livestock farming in counties like Tabeirós-Terra de Montes and Deza has produced a region of broad pastures in the valleys with wooded areas and scrubland in the mountains.

From mediaeval times its central location led to the establishment of monasteries which acted as religious, productive and jurisdictional centres, of which Aciveiro and Carboeiro are among the most notable.

Aciveiro is in the municipality of Forcarei, at the foot of the western slopes of Sierra de O Candán. In a cold but beautiful spot, the Santa María de Aciveiro monastery lies in a bend of the River Lérez, still small at this point in its course. The loneliness of the location seems appropriate for this twelfth-century Benedictine monastery, which was transferred to the Cistercians in the thirteenth century. It had authority over a large area, exercising jurisdiction in the centre of Galicia.

The architectural complex underwent substantial changes with extensive rebuilding. The Santa María Church, possibly taking its inspiration from the Cathedral in Santiago, is a fine example of the Romanesque architecture found widely in Pontevedra, with the exception of the façade, which was totally redesigned.

From Aciveiro a gentle ascent begins towards O Candán. Mountain landscapes with crags and scrubland alternate with grazing land at altitudes around 1,000 metres, where there is normally snow in winter.

The Serra do Candán has been specially protected as a Special Area of Conservation since 2014, it has been a Site of Community Interest since 2004 and forms part of the Natura 2000 Network.

The O Candán pass (854 metres) marks the division between Forcarei and Silleda, leaving the county of Tabeirós - Terra de Montes and entering Deza, on the other side of the mountains. The route down offers continuous views of the green valley. The descent ends at Laro and the route then turns towards Silleda, running between the green fields and oak woods that are typical of these valleys.

Silleda is an important town on the Vía da Prata. The festivities to mark the Green Week in Galicia and other displays throughout the year create a vibrant atmosphere in this town. Visitors must not fail to try the famous local melindres (sponge fingers). Visits to the castros in the vicinity are also recommended: Toiriz (adjacent to the town centre) and A Copa do Castro (beside the beautiful Romanesque San Mamede church).

Carboeiro Monastery is concealed in a leafy wood, nestling in a meander in the River Deza. Founded in the tenth century as a Benedictine monastery, it is one of the finest exemplars of the Galician Romanesque style, with some touches reflecting the transition to Gothic. Located in a distant, rugged setting that takes us back in history, it marks the end of this route.