The Mythological Hiking Trail of Monte Viso is a magical experience for the whole family, located at the very origins of Santiago de Compostela.
If you’re looking for a hiking route in Santiago de Compostela, this is an unmissable adventure.
Its history dates back to the arrival of the Romans, who chose this mountain as the site for their first settlement in the city.
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What Can You Find on the Mythological Hiking Trail?
The Mythological Hiking Trail of Monte Viso is not just a scenic route leading to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking Santiago de Compostela; it’s also a visual game where visitors can discover figures from Galician mythology. These sculptures, created by José Manuel Méndez, are accompanied by informative signs that make the experience a perfect mix of exercise, fun, and learning.
Along the way, you will encounter legendary mythological creatures, each with its own fascinating story:
- A Lamia – A monstrous creature, half-woman, half-serpent, that dwells in rivers, springs, and fountains.
- Breogán – The mythical king of the Galician Celts.
- O Tardo – A goblin responsible for nighttime nightmares.
- Os Biosbardos – Elusive nocturnal creatures that live in forests and bring good luck to those who catch them.
- A Coca – The Galician dragon. According to legend, it kidnapped young maidens from the region.
- Os Mouros – Mysterious underworld dwellers who guard great treasures and sometimes try to deceive humans.
- A Moura – A female member of Os Mouros, known for protecting hidden treasures, building dolmens, and controlling atmospheric phenomena like the “Arco da Vella” (rainbow).
- O Urco – A black dog with horns that steals souls.
- O Nubeiro – A giant who roams the clouds, causing storms and tempests.
- A Meiga – A powerful sorceress with deep knowledge of nature, capable of performing magic rituals, divination, and both physical and spiritual healing.
- O Gatipedro – A cat-like creature with a single horn that disturbs sleep and causes children to wet the bed.
A Trail with Gamification
To make the adventure even more exciting for children, you can download this app, which will bring the mythological creatures of the trail to life and allow you to interact with them.
What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Mythological Hiking Trail of Monte Viso
Before deciding to embark on the Mythological Trail, keep these key points in mind:
- Upon arrival, you can start the route to the right or to the left. It doesn’t matter which direction you choose since the path is circular, meaning you’ll end up at the same starting point.
- Some sections have steep slopes, so be prepared for a bit of a climb.
- The trail is not suitable for strollers.
- It is not recommended to do the hike if there has been heavy rain in the past few days or if the weather is extremely hot, as there are few shaded areas.
- At the viewpoint, you’ll find benches where you can sit and enjoy the stunning views.
- The walk takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- There is plenty of parking space available.
Where is the Mythological Hiking Trail of Monte Viso Located?
To reach Monte Viso, you’ll need to go to the Cidade da Cultura. From there, head uphill until you reach a roundabout, where you’ll find an entrance to the trail’s parking area—this is also where the route begins.
