O INVERNADEIRO
Natural spaces
On the Way of St. James
Location
Vilariño de Conso - Ourense
Coordinates:
42º 07' 59.6" N - 7º 19' 28.2" W
Description
Mountain Lesson
There are no human settlements within the limits of O Invernadeiro. Everything is nature. Its history goes back to ancient times, undivided since the Middle Ages, and used then for grazing and hunting. Halfway through the last century it was made into an authorized reforestation area and continued as such until a fire changed its purpose in 1981. From its ashes it rose again with a commitment to environmental recuperation which was consolidated definitively in 1997 when it was declared a Natural Park. Today it has one of the region’s best nature departments for learning in depth about life in the Ourense Macizo Central.
The ancient Galician mountains, which within the limits of the Park reach a height of 1,500 metres, combine the wild charm of the rock with the smoothness of great rounded masses. This type of mountain harbours many wildlife species, represented principally by the wolf and its prey, the roe deer and the wild boar. The rivers in this space, as occurred with the glaciers in ancient times, live the mountain’s great moment. The twin rivers Ribeira Grande and Ribeira Pequena set the river rhythm.
There are no human settlements within the limits of O Invernadeiro. Everything is nature. Its history goes back to ancient times, undivided since the Middle Ages, and used then for grazing and hunting. Halfway through the last century it was made into an authorized reforestation area and continued as such until a fire changed its purpose in 1981. From its ashes it rose again with a commitment to environmental recuperation which was consolidated definitively in 1997 when it was declared a Natural Park. Today it has one of the region’s best nature departments for learning in depth about life in the Ourense Macizo Central.
The ancient Galician mountains, which within the limits of the Park reach a height of 1,500 metres, combine the wild charm of the rock with the smoothness of great rounded masses. This type of mountain harbours many wildlife species, represented principally by the wolf and its prey, the roe deer and the wild boar. The rivers in this space, as occurred with the glaciers in ancient times, live the mountain’s great moment. The twin rivers Ribeira Grande and Ribeira Pequena set the river rhythm.
Access
There is access to the reserve from Verín on
the OU-114 local road to Laza, and from there,
taking the turnoff to Campobecerros. To get to
the Macizo Central from the north, take the C-
536 road with turnoffs in O Castro de Caldelas
or in A Pobra de Trives to reach Manzaneda.
To get to the Canón del Bibei, take the C-533
Petín-A Gudiña road and turn off to the As
Ermidas shrine.
The Ways of St. James
Vía de la Plata
Situation
Natural Park entirely in the municipality of
Vilariño de Conso.
The Macizo Central reaches the mountain area of the central Ourense region comprising the municipalities of O Bolo, Chandrexa de Queixa, Laza, Manzaneda, A Pobra de Trives, Viana do Bolo, Vilariño de Conso, Quiroga, Larouco and Montederramo.
The Bidueiral extends across the municipalities of Montederramo and Vilar de Barrio.
The Macizo Central reaches the mountain area of the central Ourense region comprising the municipalities of O Bolo, Chandrexa de Queixa, Laza, Manzaneda, A Pobra de Trives, Viana do Bolo, Vilariño de Conso, Quiroga, Larouco and Montederramo.
The Bidueiral extends across the municipalities of Montederramo and Vilar de Barrio.
Area
5,722 hectares. SCI: 46,829.43 hectares. SCI
“Bidueiral de Montederramo” 1,948.55
hectares.
Services
Accommodation and food in locations inside
the SCI Macizo Central.
Without missing
Permission for access must be sought in advance and all trips must be made on foot along set routes. Group visits can
be arranged for a minimum of five people. The nature workshop of Ribeira Grande and the activities it offers are highly
recommended for school groups and other collectives. It is a unique experience, isolated in nature and covering the
wolf’s extensive hunting grounds. On some of these routes a surprising glacial cirque can be seen and also several
waterfalls, such as the Arcos.
Of special interest in the Ribeira Pequena is the enclosure route which takes us to the area where deer and other ungulates live in semi-liberty. The stars of the Park are the deer, mountain goat, bucks, chamois and the mouflons. They inhabit enclosures which facilitate control of the population and give visitors one of their most pleasant memories.
Central Massif
O Invernadeiro is the heart of a vast, practically unpopulated mountain region. The highest peaks are found on the Queixa mountain range, where the Manzaneda mountain station stands at 1,782 metres, and the San Mamede mountain range (1,619 m). The region has abundant rain and snow falls, but also significant seasonal periods of drought.
From A Pobra de Trives we can ascend to the Manzaneda winter station, whose many tourist options mean that activity is not just limited to the ski season. It is the starting point of several hill walking routes in search of ancient glacial activity in the mountain. We can also opt to continue on to Celeiros, the municipal capital of Chandrexa de Queixa.
Of special interest in the Ribeira Pequena is the enclosure route which takes us to the area where deer and other ungulates live in semi-liberty. The stars of the Park are the deer, mountain goat, bucks, chamois and the mouflons. They inhabit enclosures which facilitate control of the population and give visitors one of their most pleasant memories.
Central Massif
O Invernadeiro is the heart of a vast, practically unpopulated mountain region. The highest peaks are found on the Queixa mountain range, where the Manzaneda mountain station stands at 1,782 metres, and the San Mamede mountain range (1,619 m). The region has abundant rain and snow falls, but also significant seasonal periods of drought.
From A Pobra de Trives we can ascend to the Manzaneda winter station, whose many tourist options mean that activity is not just limited to the ski season. It is the starting point of several hill walking routes in search of ancient glacial activity in the mountain. We can also opt to continue on to Celeiros, the municipal capital of Chandrexa de Queixa.
Singular nature
Good recuperation of the arboreal
stratum and the pine groves. In
the shelter of the steep slopes
grow mature forests of indigenous
trees.
Excellent examples of midmountain bushy growth. The fauna represents the most complete trophic pyramid.
Bio-indicators of the health of river ecosystems such as the otter and other species even more scarce in the rest of Spain.
Excellent examples of midmountain bushy growth. The fauna represents the most complete trophic pyramid.
Bio-indicators of the health of river ecosystems such as the otter and other species even more scarce in the rest of Spain.
Information and facilities
Para visitar el Parque Natural, permiso expedido por escrito por la Consel. Medio Rural de Ourense
Telephone: +34 988 386 029
Centro de Recepción
Telephone: +34 988 386 376
Fax: +34 988 386 135
Further features
Bird watching
Map
