COMPLEXO DUNAR DE CORRUBEDO E LAGOAS DE CARREGAL E VIXÁN
Natural spaces
On the Way of St. James
Location
Ribeira - A Coruña
Coordinates:
42º 34' 18.4" N - 9º 02' 04.4" W
Description
Result of the wind
Corrubedo is the home of the largest dune in Galicia. The moving dune in this open space between the Ría Arousa and that of Muros and Noia is impressive in size, more than a kilometre long on its curved advancing front. During the hardest winter months it reaches twenty metres high. It is calculated to be between 200 and 250 metres wide; although it seems that it was larger in the past. Somewhere between legend and exaggeration, it was documented that at the end of the 19th century the dune was more than 60 metres high.
To windward, facing the sea, it is long and low lying, like the back of an animal. It drops to leeward, towards the ground, and with no vegetation to hold it back advances across the plain at a speed of two to three centimetres a year.
The omnipresence of the queen of the Park should not make us forget the other Park’s attractions: two lagoons, one of salt water and the other of fresh water, with extensive mud flats connected to them and internationally important wetlands.
Vixán, the fresh water lagoon, is fed by the waters of the modest Muíño stream, subject to seasonal fluctuations in water volume. Carregal, the salt water lagoon, is connected to the ocean, dividing in two the long beach facing the rocks called Pedras da Ferreira. The rise and fall of the tides is via this channel, one of the central points of the Corrubedo complex. The rich ecological life of the Park is reaffirmed in the mud flats which are teeming with life, and all this in little more than one thousand hectares.
Corrubedo is the home of the largest dune in Galicia. The moving dune in this open space between the Ría Arousa and that of Muros and Noia is impressive in size, more than a kilometre long on its curved advancing front. During the hardest winter months it reaches twenty metres high. It is calculated to be between 200 and 250 metres wide; although it seems that it was larger in the past. Somewhere between legend and exaggeration, it was documented that at the end of the 19th century the dune was more than 60 metres high.
To windward, facing the sea, it is long and low lying, like the back of an animal. It drops to leeward, towards the ground, and with no vegetation to hold it back advances across the plain at a speed of two to three centimetres a year.
The omnipresence of the queen of the Park should not make us forget the other Park’s attractions: two lagoons, one of salt water and the other of fresh water, with extensive mud flats connected to them and internationally important wetlands.
Vixán, the fresh water lagoon, is fed by the waters of the modest Muíño stream, subject to seasonal fluctuations in water volume. Carregal, the salt water lagoon, is connected to the ocean, dividing in two the long beach facing the rocks called Pedras da Ferreira. The rise and fall of the tides is via this channel, one of the central points of the Corrubedo complex. The rich ecological life of the Park is reaffirmed in the mud flats which are teeming with life, and all this in little more than one thousand hectares.
Access
From the south, by the O Barbanza highway
from Padrón. Also via the AC-550 road on the
Noia-Santa Uxía of Ribeira stretch, with turnoffs
towards the coast. Two direct accesses to
the Park, with Parking zones, one to the
moving dune in Olveira and another to the
Reception Centre in O Vilar.
The Ways of St. James
The Route of the Sea of Arousa and River Ulla
Situation
The Natural Park is located in the municipality
of Ribeira (A Coruña).
The SCI also includes the island of Sálvora
(Ribeira) and extends along the coast of the
municipality of Porto do Son.
Area
996.25 hectares. SCI: 9,265 hectares.
Services
Accommodation: Places nearby.
Food: Yes.
Food: Yes.
Without missing
This is one of the most visited Natural Parks in Spain. There is a network of paths and footbridges to avoid invading the
dune area and to show visitors the area as completely as possible while showing respect for the natural environment. The
starting point is the Casa da Costa or Visitors’ Reception Centre located in O Vilar. There is also another building housing
the Galicia Coastal Ecosystems Interpretation Centre (CIELGA) and set out as an informative museum dealing with natural,
geological and historical matters for which the Park is justly known. The layout of the self-guided tours (water route, sea
route and wind route) allows most of these aspects to be approached. Don’t leave your binoculars at home.
Located in this protected area is the lookout point of Castrocidá, from which good views of this whole stretch of coast can be had. It is highly recommended to visit the megalithic dolmen of Axeitos, closely linked to the Park, and the Galician-Roman hill-fort of Baroña, at the extreme edge of the coastal border which stretches to the mouth of the Ría de Muros and Noia. On this journey via the AC-550 road, we will find directions to two other protected lagoons, that of Xuño and Muro, close to the famous beach of As Furnas which was immortalized by Amenábar in his film Mar adentro [The Sea Inside].
Located in this protected area is the lookout point of Castrocidá, from which good views of this whole stretch of coast can be had. It is highly recommended to visit the megalithic dolmen of Axeitos, closely linked to the Park, and the Galician-Roman hill-fort of Baroña, at the extreme edge of the coastal border which stretches to the mouth of the Ría de Muros and Noia. On this journey via the AC-550 road, we will find directions to two other protected lagoons, that of Xuño and Muro, close to the famous beach of As Furnas which was immortalized by Amenábar in his film Mar adentro [The Sea Inside].
Singular nature
The area boasts a good natural representation of the coastal ecosystems, with plants specific to dunes complexes
along with an interesting collection of flowering plants. Likewise, reeds and rushes typical of the mudflats. A botanical
paradise for specialists interested in rare and unusual plants.
The same occurs with the fauna: various habitats with many possibilities, including outstanding bird communities associated with fresh or salt water environments: anatidae, sandpipers, sea birds and others.
The same occurs with the fauna: various habitats with many possibilities, including outstanding bird communities associated with fresh or salt water environments: anatidae, sandpipers, sea birds and others.
Information and facilities
Centro de Recepción de Visitantes Casa da Costa
Centro de Interpretación do Ecosistema Litoral de Galicia (CIELGA)
Telephone: +34 981 878 532
Animal features
Coot
Grebe
Kentish Plover
Mallard
Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Otter
Spoonbill
Stone Curlew
Further features
Bird watching
Special Protection Area
Wetlands (RAMSAR)
Map
