Stage 1, The Cantabrian Natural Way
This first stage covers one of the most beautiful stretches of the Galician coast, the Ortegal coast, which runs between the Ortigueira estuary and the southernmost point of the peninsula, Estaca de Bares.
This route as a good coastal path is full of steep slopes with short and steep climbs without danger and views that reward anyone wherever you look.
The departure from Ortigueira is easy. Along asphalted tracks and paths close to the coast you reach the village of Espasante. On the beach of Sta. Cristina there are some wooden stairs that lead to the castro of Punta dos Prados. If you don’t want to carry your bike, it is better to turn around and go along the road to the top of the hill where you will first find the ‘Garita de Vela’ and then the castro. Once in the village square and after visiting the statue of the pig, follow the road towards the coast of Loiba along paths and tracks belonging to the ‘Camino natural da ruta do Cantábrico’ to be amazed by the views of the viewpoint of Cadaval, the well-known Loiba bank, the beautiful Esteiro beach and finally the village of Bares.
