ALOIA NATURE SURROUNDINGS

Live unique experiences in a magical and idyllic environment

Mount Aloia is located in the Miño valley, with Tui and Valença at its feet and the Camino de Santiago surrounding it.

On its summit, the human footprint has been indelibly marked in different ways. On one of its slopes lies the hillfort known as Alto dos Cubos, of great extent and importance, of which only a part has been excavated. In its surroundings there are also petroglyphs, which tell us of the occupation of these lands since time immemorial.

” Tui is one of the seven capitals of the ancient kingdom of Galicia “

At the summit of the mountain there is a cyclopean wall, which surrounds the entire peak and is a true mystery to be discovered, an exciting visit that well deserves an excursion. It is said that this is the mythical Mount Medulio, the scene of the collective suicide of Celtic tribes before falling into Roman hands. The Aloia is a mountain full of legends.

Its Cathedral, which began construction in the 12th century, displays a fortified appearance that makes it unique. It has enough attractions to warrant a visit, later allowing oneself to get lost in the narrow streets of the historic center of Tui, the second most important in all of Galicia, where we will discover houses and churches and where, upon turning its corners, we will see impressive views over the Miño River and the Portuguese plain.

Precisely in neighboring Portugal and linked to Tui by a metal bridge is Valença do Minho, a fortified city that keeps its walls in perfect condition, of overwhelming beauty. Tui and Valença, joined by the Miño, form an exceptional natural and cultural landscape that must be experienced.

The Portuguese Way of St. James enters Galicia through Tui. At the end of it, Santiago de Compostela awaits us as the crown jewel of Galician heritage.

River fish: lamprey, elver, shad and many others are served in the restaurants of Tui and its region in different ways, but always delicious.

Furthermore, Mount Aloia is proving to be an exceptional place for meat lovers; excellent cuts of Galician breeds come from its slopes.

The Baixo Miño belongs to the D. O. Rias Baixas, specifically to the O Rosal subzone.

” Here you will discover some of the best white wines in the world “

By the way, on your visit to Tui, stop by the convent of the “Encerradas” in the historic center of Tui and try their almond little fish.

Here, as in the rest of Galicia, good eating is guaranteed. Of course, in neighboring Valença, cod stands out as one of its attractions, though not the only one, as Portuguese gastronomy is renowned for its quality and variety.

In the final part of the Miño, at its mouth, the coastal towns—notably A Guarda and Oia—also have a wide range of Atlantic fish and seafood, the quality of which needs no introduction.

Located in the Serra do Galiñeiro, its slopes are populated with cypresses, firs, and cedars of Lebanon, the result of a reforestation carried out a hundred years ago, forming a unique natural environment that changes with the rhythm of the seasons.

You have, for your enjoyment, more than 10 km of trails to discover a landscape of infinite greens, with highly protected fauna where rabbits, wild boars, squirrels, amphibians, and birds of prey, among other species, abound.

” … more than 10 km of trails to discover a landscape of infinite greens … “

To all these natural attractions, we must add the exceptional panoramic views of this mountain. There is a network of viewpoints at its summit that give us the possibility to discover the surrounding landscape in all directions: towards the mouth of the Miño, towards the ocean with the Cíes Islands in the background, and towards the Miño valley and Portugal, with Tui and Valença at our feet.

Another of the great natural attractions of this place are the numerous streams that flow down its slopes and leave spectacular settings, such as the trail of the mills of the Tripes River and other smaller but equally beautiful spaces.
Furthermore, the Miño River located in front of the Aloia shapes the valley, which also offers an interesting natural environment with numerous waterfowl and lush, abundant riverside vegetation.

Practically at the mouth, there is a birdwatching area known as Esteiro do Miño, which is an area of special protection for birds internationally recognized for its high natural value. The Miño also has great scenic appeal that can be discovered with a boat trip.

If you enjoy walking and making the most of outdoor terraces, the center of Tui with the Paseo de la Corredera is your ideal setting. A spacious and stately urban promenade, where various establishments set up their terraces and which is always full of life. A perfect place to rest after a day of shopping that can begin in Tui and continue in neighboring Valença. Both cities possess great commercial appeal and of course you are very close to Vigo.

The same could be said for restaurants and nightlife. Tui has a good number of restaurants for lunch or dinner and various venues where you can enjoy a coffee or a drink within the surroundings of the Tui historic site, and this selection is further reinforced by neighboring Valença, where you will find magnificent leisure spots inside its walls.

Tui also boasts a great cultural offering all year round: theater, exhibitions, festivals… no matter the time of year, there will always be a leisure or cultural event in the area that you won’t want to miss.

And that is exactly what you will find: trails suitable for a walk, trekking, or the most demanding trail running; routes and paths where you can test your legs and enjoy the sport. But not just on foot—a bicycle can also be your best companion on these slopes with circuits for different levels, from a casual ride to downhill, in specific areas of this mountain.

The Aloia is the place chosen by many athletes for their training, and it is rare to find a time of day when you don’t cross paths with a bicycle or a runner on one of the routes in this natural park.

But it’s not only the mountain that will give you the opportunity to practice sports. Very close to us is the Miño River, and once again a great number of sporting possibilities open up here: rowing, canoeing, water skiing, swimming, or simply hiking along its banks. Don’t forget that Olympic champions and winners of world, European, and national championships in various water sports modalities have come from this river and this city; there must be a reason for that.

The natural conditions and the climate allow for training practically all year round. Combined events, triathlon for example, find an ideal place for practice here. But let’s go back to the mountain where, in addition to what was previously mentioned, horseback riding is among the sports you can practice—routes through splendid landscapes where you can enjoy the environment in the most natural way, on horseback. And you can do it in a place where horses are always present.

And of course, from here you can begin the Camino de Santiago. Tui is the start of a stage on the Portuguese Way.

” Choosing the Aloia for any sporting preparation is a great option. “