Legend has it that beneath the waters of A Lagoa de Cospeito there lies a village called Valcárcel that was flooded by divine command. Some say that you can still hear the ringing of the church bells. Others swear that they have seen the roofs of the houses when the water in the reservoir was low.

No matter the truth, the stars of this trail are the pools that occupy this flat terrain in the Terras do Miño Biosphere Reserve. The first one you come across will be A Lagoa de Cospeito, which the route will explore, offering an excellent look at the astonishing life found there. Next is A Lagoa de Carballosa, halfway along the trail.

This is a one-way route. Near the beginning it will take you around the pool on a path created for bird watching. Walk stealthily and from the observation towers, you will be able to see and hear the hundreds of waterfowl that shelter at the pool.

The trail then enters a forest, following the age-old paths around A Feira do Monte. After crossing the road, you will enter the true A Terra Chá district, where long straight paths, distant horizons and flat plains will make you feel as if you are in some sort of “other Galicia”.

Walking through both farmland and forest, you will pass A Lagoa de Carballosa, travelling easily across the flat terrain of this final leg. The route ends at San Martiño de Lamas Church, where you will find a “cruceiro” (stone cross) with motifs from the Passion carved on the shaft.