The Galician hiking trail that runs along three rivers and leads to a stunning waterfall

Northern Spain holds a magical spirit filled with humid, verdant, and beautiful nature. Areas like Galicia offer authentic landscapes that leave no doubt as to why it's one of our country's tourist attractions. It has beautiful towns, some nestled along incredible estuaries , and spectacular coastlines that make it a place to visit again and again. However, it also boasts some of the best trails , a favorite for those who love hiking and natural heritage. In A Coruña, you can find one of those routes filled with forests, rivers, and essential waterfalls .

We're specifically talking about the Ruta dos Tres Ríos (Three Rivers Route) , one of the longest trails in the province of A Coruña. You don't have to go far from Santiago de Compostela, as this route begins in the town of Touro, renowned for its wonderful waterfalls, such as Fervenza das Hortas and Fervenza do Inferniño. However, the trail offers other unique surroundings along its 10-kilometer route .

All about the Three Rivers Route

The Three Rivers Route runs along PR-G 121 and, as its name suggests, follows the course of the Ulla, Beseño, and Lañas rivers . These 10 linear kilometers can be completed in about three hours with a low difficulty level , making it perfect for families. Keep in mind that this is not a circular route, so it starts in the A Santaia recreational area and ends at Ponte Basebe.

Along the route, you'll encounter several stages with important stops where you'll discover not only waterfalls, but also mills and legendary trees. After starting the route from the A Santaia recreational area, after 2 kilometers you'll come across the Muíños da Carballa , restored mills that still house the grinding stone. You'll find them after a walk next to the river and close to the mountain. Shortly after, you'll reach one of the route's highlights, the Salto das Pombas . A waterfall that reaches 10 meters in height and is at its most magnificent in autumn and spring.

After this spectacular waterfall, the route enters the lush forest, following the Beseño stream on a much easier path until reaching Ponte da Laña. Here, you can appreciate the beauty of the Lañas River's mouth in the Ulla , while discovering the pesqueiras , wall-like structures that contain the arrival of lampreys or eels. To conclude the route, Ponte Basebe bids farewell to hikers under the shade of oak trees and the first cork oaks.

How to get to Touro

As mentioned above, this route is a real draw due to its proximity to Santiago . Therefore, if you travel from Compostela to the Santaia recreational area, it will take you around 30 minutes by car on the A-54 highway. If you arrive from A Coruña , the journey increases to 50 minutes on the AP-9 toll road.