This route is a section of the officially certified PR-G 86 Vineyard Trail. It covers a 1.2 km stretch running parallel to the Xabrega stream until it meets the River Sil. Along the way, you can see partially restored watermills that once harnessed the power of the current.
Length: 1.2 km
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
The Xabrega stream is home to the most significant collection of watermills in the municipality of Sober. In just over three kilometres, its waters once powered 28 mills and two fulling mills (batáns). This exceptional ethnographic heritage was partially restored by the local council between the hamlet of A Boca and the river’s mouth at Os Chancís.
The trail begins at Pouso do Branco, 500 metres from the village of A Boca. The path initially descends towards the Xabrega stream. The first mill you will encounter is the Roque do Arroxó mill, featuring sturdy walls and in an excellent state of repair. You then walk along the wall of the leat (water channel) to visit the next two mills, known as Nemesio da Boca. In both cases, the walls, the millrace, and the roofs have been fully restored. The larger of the two even included a room where the owner could rest.
Returning to the main path, you cross the stream via stepping stones and walk along another leat, which leads to the fully restored Ramiro da Boca mill. In this area, the height of the channels is remarkable, resembling small aqueducts.
Further on, there are two more mills called Chucán do Couto. At the first, the walls have been reinforced, while a viewing platform has been built over the second to observe the waterwheel (rodicio), which has been fitted with an electrical generator. This spot is known as A Calzada, as a Roman road once passed through here—remnants of which can still be seen today.
The next mill is Nabás, of which only the walls remain. At this spot, known as A Alvariza, the path forks. The left branch skirts a rocky outcrop and runs between high stone walls before rejoining the main path 200 metres later. Follow the right-hand path, which crosses the stream via a small stone bridge and leads to the Conde de Camilo mill. This building retains its high walls and houses two millstones that operated simultaneously: one made of local granite and another of finer “albar” stone, used for grinding wheat. This area is called As Garduñeiras, a name reflecting the rugged, wooded nature of the terrain.
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