Fraga de Catasós

A forest of novels

Centenary oaks and chestnut trees reign in this natural monument of Deza.

One of the most exceptional and renowned autochthonous forests in the province of Pontevedra is the Fraga de Catasós, in the municipality of Lalín. This beautiful inland landscape, also known as the Carballeira de Quiroga, is listed as a Natural Monument of Galicia and has a botanical wealth of great singularity and beauty.

Sturdy oak and chestnut trees, hundreds of years old, reign in this forest in the region of Deza, whose grandeur makes them seem to caress the sky. Some specimens reach up to thirty metres, making them the tallest in Europe, and in some cases they are around five metres in diameter.

The place is perfect for hiking enthusiasts. A simple circular route, lasting approximately one hour, allows you to explore the area and discover churches, mills, stone crosses and other examples of popular Galician architecture. The chestnut groves of Cardiego and Quiroga, where chestnut trees over 200 years old grow, are outstanding.

This grove of oak and chestnut trees belonged to the Quiroga family, who lived in the nearby pazo of Quiroga, which can be reached from the forest along an idyllic path. In 1864 one of the heirs of this family saga married the illustrious writer Emilia Pardo Bazán, who years later wrote a large part of her book Los pazos de Ulloa here.