Cabo Ortegal Geopark: Paradise of the Cliffs

Cape Ortegal, a UNESCO Global Geopark, is located on the Costa Ártabra, in the north of Galicia, in the province of A Coruña, Spain. It covers a land area of almost 632 km2 distributed among 7 municipalities: Cariño, Cedeira, Cerdido, Cerdido, Moeche, Ortigueira, San Sadurniño and Valdoviño.

This geopark is one of the best witnesses of the collision that gave rise to the supercontinent Pangea approximately 350 million years ago. At that time, some of its materials were found at depths of up to 70 km in the oceanic crust and the Earth's mantle. Most of the rocks of the Cape Ortegal Geopark emerged to the surface in that period, exhibiting great geological richness and variety. This gave rise to remarkable rock formations, such as the Serra da Capelada, which is home to the highest sea cliffs in Continental Europe, reaching 620 meters. It also has the oldest rocks in the Iberian Peninsula and ranks fourth in the world in terms of age.

The Geopark has four special conservation areas (two special bird protection areas and two Ramsar protection areas) as well as two protected wetlands, making it an ideal place for bird-watching, hiking, and enjoying nature. Its cliffs are spectacular and constitute one of the main natural features of this geopark, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coastline. In addition, the geological exhibition in this area allows visitors to learn about the geological history of our planet. The beauty of these cliffs, their impressive height, and unique geological formations make it an exceptional destination for those who wish to experience the beauty and majesty of its unique coastal landscapes and geology.

Through this gallery, we would like to highlight the valuable geological and landscape heritage of the coast and cliffs of the Cabo Ortegal Geopark.

Their timeless beauty will transport us through images that could have been taken millions of years ago. We will explore some of the Geopark's Sites of Geological and Tourist Interest, such as the Herbeira Massif, Punta dos Aguillóns, the beaches of Fornos and Céltigos and A Frouxeira, Cantís do Cadro, Pena Furada and 'the best bench in the world', among many other corners, some of them less known.

This gallery is a tribute from Ortegal Máxico to the Cabo Ortegal Geopark.