European self-guided walk operator, On Foot Holidays, has launched a new hiking route in the forgotten wine region of Galicia in north-west Spain, with hikers staying in historic inns and a former monastery and exploring dramatic gorges, ancient citadels, medieval hamlets, and terraced vineyards established by monks in the Dark Ages.
The new nine-night walking holiday in Spain brings to 35 the number of self-guided hikes UK-based On Foot Holidays offers in 11 countries across Europe. The Galicia walk is called ‘Gorges of the Ribeira Sacra’, old Galician for ‘holy riverside’, which stems from the age-old vineyards in the area established by monks in the Dark Ages and still producing fine wines today.
Starting in the enchanting citadel of Castro de Caldelas, the route capitalises on the bucolic, riverine landscapes, taking in dark woodlands, rambling farmland and the spectacular, deep gorges of the Sil and Minho rivers and visiting tiny hamlets, rustic wineries and vine-cloaked hillsides along the way. The walk ends amongst the cobbled streets, historic buildings and tapas bars of Ourense.
The nine-night sojourn includes eight days of walking of 11-17km per day, or around four to five hours of medium-graded effort.
Curated for independent travellers, the ‘Gorges of the Ribeira Sacra’ hike sees walkers stay at a series of rural B&Bs, manor houses, inns and a glorious former monastery perched above the valley, with luggage transferred between the accommodation each day so hikers can explore unencumbered on foot.
The Galicia walk is available from April to June and September to November each year.
Including nine nights’ B&B and inn accommodation along the route, daily breakfasts, six picnics, three dinners, taxi transfer, maps, directions and all luggage transfers between hotels along the way – meaning walkers simply carry a day pack each day – the journey costs from £1190 per person, twin-share (about A$2082 depending on exchange rates). Shorter six-night options are also available.
If walkers add on another of On Foot Holidays’ walking routes to their European holiday, they can save 10 per cent on the lower-priced hike. On Foot Holidays offers seven other walking holidays in Spain.
For details on the new Galicia walk, visit Southern Galicia – On Foot Holidays (direct link) or www.onfootholidays.co.uk
