Stage I GR53: Saians - A Garrida (reservoir)
- ACCESS: Vigo- Baiona Road PO-552 or Avenida Ricardo Mella PO-325
- LENGTH: 15km main stage and 8km alternative route GR-53.1
- DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM TO HIGH
- AVERAGE DURATION: 5hrs. main stage, 3.45hrs alternative route
The first stage starts at the point of A Pasaxe in Saiáns, next to the San Xurxo de Orxás church, at the bottom of the bay. From here, cross the road PO-552 and walk up slightly along the road Cal do Outeiro. From here turn off to the left. The Saiáns Forest Park has a picnic area with 2.35 hectares to rest at after the walk uphill.
A little further on there is a turn off for the first variation to the route. If we take the path to the left, following the main route, we reach the Oia Forest Park with almost 4 hectares and a picnic area. Slightly further on, by road, on the right there is a small path that leads to the Fragoselo stone carvings. Continue on down this path to the river Barxa (Fragoselo) and cross it. Then go back up hill towards the parish of Valadares and the forest park of Monte dos Pozos.
After walking up slightly, we reach the Monte Alba Forest Park and Alto de O Cepudo Hill. There are beautiful views of the whole bay from here.
Now we start going downhill to a crossroads. This links up with the turn off for the alternative route GR-53.1, or we can continue down to A Pasaxe. Finally we continue to the reservoir at A Garrida where this first stage ends.
GR53.1 ALTERNATIVE ROUTE
This alternative route starts near Saiáns Forest Park and goes to Coruxo Forest Park (with excellent views). Walk up to the hills of Os Outeiros where we can also enjoy some spectacular views of the city and the bay. On the way down, we reach Chandebrito in Nigrán parish. Nearby there is a watermill, an ancient castros stone settlement and other interesting cultural and ethnographic features. Continue upwards again until reaching the hill of Alto Do Canaval in Pracines and 8km later this route ends and joins up with the main route, near O Cepudo Forest Park.