Mountain route
Ribeira Sacra
The ultimate corner-carving route. You cross Galicia from west to east to reach the cañón do Sil, where the river has carved five hundred metres through solid rock and the vineyards cling to impossibly steep terraces above the water. The roads that trace the canyon are narrow, twisty and nearly always empty — ride it on a weekday and you can go half an hour without seeing another soul. It's the longest of our routes, and the one riders enjoy the most.
- Distance
- 373 km
- Duration
- Día completo
- Difficulty
- Moderate — plenty of tight bends and narrow mountain sections
- Best season
- Spring, and especially September and October, for the grape harvest and the colours in the vineyards
- Roads
- N-525 · LU-533 · OU-0508 · CG-2.2
- Start and finish
- Santiago de Compostela
The route
Map © OpenStreetMap (ODbL) and CARTO. The track is a reference: on the road, follow the signs.
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Stops along the way
- 1
Lalín
The first stretch to Lalín is just about covering ground — a fast main road to eat up the miles. A good spot for a mid-morning coffee before the scenic part begins.
- 2
Chantada
The gateway to the Ribeira Sacra. This is where the descent to Belesar begins, and it's the sensible place to fill up — petrol stations in the canyon can be counted on one hand.
- 3
Belesar
The descent to the Belesar reservoir is one of the most spectacular roads in Galicia: hairpin after hairpin, with the Miño below and terraced vineyards on either side. Take it slowly, cross the bridge, and climb back up on the far bank.
- 4
Doade y el mirador de Cabo do Mundo
The bend where the Miño doubles back on itself through a full 180 degrees. There's a viewpoint with parking, and it's one of the postcard shots of the area. Catamarans that cruise the canyon by water also leave from Doade, if you fancy swapping two wheels for a boat for an hour.
- 5
Parada de Sil y los Balcóns de Madrid
The most famous viewpoint on the cañón do Sil: a platform cantilevered out over a five-hundred-metre drop. You reach it via a narrow road and have to leave the bike a short walk before, but it's the one stop nobody skips. Nearby are the Cabezoás viewpoint and the Santa Cristina monastery, tucked away in a chestnut wood.
- 6
Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil
A 10th-century Benedictine monastery now run as a parador, with three cloisters and a beautiful approach road. Even if you don't go in, the descent from the viewpoint down to the monastery is worth the detour on its own.
- 7
Monforte de Lemos
The main town of the area, with the San Vicente do Pino monument complex up on the hill. A good place to eat and fuel up before the ride back, which is around 170 km to Santiago.
Tips for this route
- Set off early. It's 373 km and the canyon roads are ridden at a slower pace — reckon on nine to ten hours in the day.
- Fuel up in Chantada or Monforte. Inside the canyon there are long stretches with no petrol station and no phone signal.
- Watch the surface on the descents to Belesar and Santo Estevo — expect damp patches, fallen leaves and the odd bit of loose gravel on the hairpins.
- You'll enjoy it twice as much on a weekday. On autumn weekends the canyon fills up with cars and coaches.
- If you're short on time, you can shorten it by skipping Monforte and heading back via Chantada — you'll save around 50 km without missing the best bits.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Ribeira Sacra route take by motorbike?
It's 373 km, around six and a half hours of actual riding. With stops at the viewpoints and lunch, count on a long full day — nine to ten hours from Santiago.
Can you split it over two days?
It's the option we recommend most. Stay overnight in Monforte, or in one of the monasteries in the area, and take the viewpoints at a relaxed pace early in the morning, when the canyon looks its best and is at its quietest.
Is it suitable for beginners?
It calls for a bit of confidence — there are plenty of tight bends, blind crests and long hairpin descents. If you've only just passed your test, you're better off starting with the Interior Máxico or Rías Baixas route.
Taking a bike for this route?
From €50/day with gear, insurance and the tracks included.
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