Minho River, Natural border river between Galicia, Spain and northern Portugal
The Minho is a boundary river between Galicia and northern Portugal, flowing from the Serra de Gerês mountains to the Atlantic coast. The river course runs through narrow valleys with old stone bridges that connect towns on each bank.
The river served the Romans as a transport route and has been a natural boundary between regions for centuries. In the Middle Ages, monasteries built ferries and crossing points, some of which still survive today.
The Minho valley has been a wine-growing region for centuries, with vineyards producing grapes for Albariño and Loureiro wines planted on terraced slopes along both shores. Visitors can still see the old stone presses that were traditionally used in winemaking, especially on the Portuguese side.
The lower section near the mouth is partly navigable and used by boat travelers. Walking paths run along both banks and provide access to hiking on both sides of the river.
In the upper sections of the river basin, clear tributaries feed into the main channel, and otters can sometimes be spotted in these habitats. The shoreline zones support bird populations that either live in the area year-round or pass through seasonally.
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