Galicia hides real gems of nature. There is a path where you can meet him the largest tree in Spain. This majestic natural giant not only impresses with its size, but also conveys a sense of mystery and for many people “it’s a little scary”.
The forest of the giants of Galicia
If you love natural landscapes, you must travel Lugo to discover one of the most beautiful and unique places in Galicia. It Souto da Retortaalso known as Chavin Eucalyptus It was declared a Natural Monument in 2000 and is home to the largest tree in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. This space invites you to cross its bridges and walk the paths parallel to its channels until reaching the waterfall. Can jump.
This place is located near the seaside town of Viveiroof about 15,000 inhabitants. In the 19th century, eucalyptus arrived in this region of the north of our country. According to information published on the website of Galician tourismA Galician monk brought the seeds from the distant Australian lands where he had been a missionary. Subsequently, this species adapted well to the climate and spread to the rest of Spain.
The tallest tree in Spain: “El Abuelo” from Galicia
The protagonist of this forest of giants is undoubtedly “O Avó”, the grandfather. This eucalyptus is the tallest in Spain, it was planted in 1880 and measures more than 67 meters high and about 10.5 meters in perimeter. At the same time, there are 600 other large specimens in the Souto da Retorta.
These Centennial trees of Chavín They were planted to drain low-lying land to protect against flooding. The banks of the Landro River They are part of the history of this northern region. On its banks there are samples of native vegetation such as the forest area called Naseiro Valley and places like the waterfall Ferida Well of the Loureiro River. The space is limited by several historical routes such as the former Chavín lighting factory.
To visit the Souto da Retorta You can take a walk from Calvoso (Viveiro) of about 2 kilometers (round trip) and enjoy “The grandfather” and the various eucalyptus trees that the region offers. The route is very well marked and does not present any difficulty. This route The ideal is to do it with the whole family.
