Cliffs of A Capelada mountains

This is the most studied and also the best known area of the geopark project territory, by scientists and tourists alike. In this coastal sector we find the highest cliffs in mainland Europe, 615 metres above sea level in Vixía de Herbeira. The cliffs of O Limo, less elevated but more vertical, also standout. The rocks that make them up are peridotites and pyroxenites, which are very rare on the earth’s surface. Proof of this are the curious and artistic shapes that embellish the coastal landscape. These unique materials sometimes have significant accumulations of chromium and platinum, which were the subject of study in the middle of the last century. At the foot of the cliffs of Herbeira is the beach of Teixidelo, a geological landmark as it is the only non-volcanic black sand beach known in the world. A guide is required to visit it due to the dangerous nature of the access. In the winter you can also see the spectacular Teixidelo waterfall that falls directly into the sea from the cliffs. A bit further north you reach the emblematic lighthouse of Cabo Ortegal and Os Aguillóns, where in addition to beautiful cliffs, it is worth mentioning the presence of rocks called eclogites, which have great scientific value and are a point of reference for geology worldwide. It is worth mentioning that Os Aguillóns – the group of 8 large rocks that stand above the sea – are the vestiges of the ancient coastline we had in Galicia 20,000 years ago. Since then, sea levels have continued to rise.

City councils: Cedeira and Cariño
Can I visit it?: Yes, by car or walking routes. In the case of the accesses to Teixidelo, it is recommended to make the georoute as part of a guided tour.
Further information: In this area you can find the sanctuary of San Andrés de Teixido, the end of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route, the second most important after Santiago de Compostela in terms of number of visitors and see for many as the most important in a spiritual sense.