Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park
Park Coastal dunes and freshwater lagoons in Galicia
On Galicia’s Atlantic coast, the Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park preserves shifting sand dunes, a coastal lagoon and a working lighthouse; visitors walk boardwalks, watch migratory birds and use nearby beaches.
The Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park (Parque Natural de Corrubedo) is a coastal protected area on Galicia’s Ría de Arousa in northwest Spain, designated as a natural park in the early 1990s. It conserves a prominent mobile dune system together with adjacent wetlands and shoreline habitats.
The park’s standout feature is a large moving sand dune that rises to about 20 metres in places and shifts over time along the coast. Behind the dune lie the shallow freshwater and brackish lagoons of Carregal and Vixán, areas important for migratory and resident waterbirds, while rocky headlands and beaches border the seaward side. Visitors walk boardwalks and paths to view the dune, lagoons and coastal scenery.
The area received protected status to conserve the interaction of dune dynamics, lagoon habitats and coastal biodiversity, and to manage visitor access along sensitive shorelines. Conservation measures balance public access with habitat protection for birds and plant communities.
The park lies on the western shore of the Ría de Arousa near the town of Ribeira in the province of A Coruña, Galicia. It is reached by regional roads from nearby coastal towns and forms part of Galicia’s network of coastal natural areas.
- Protected status: Designated as a protected natural park in the early 1990s, it protects a coastal dune system, shallow lagoons and salt marshes on the Ría de Arousa.
What to See #
- Mobile dune: A large moving coastal dune that forms the park's most conspicuous feature and reaches roughly 20 metres in height in places.
- Lagunas de Carregal e Vixán: The freshwater and brackish lagoons of Carregal and Vixán, which sit landward of the dune and support wetland birdlife and salt-tolerant vegetation.
- Corrubedo lighthouse: A coastal lighthouse at Punta de Corrubedo that marks the seaward edge of the park and serves as a local landmark for visits and views.
How to Get to Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park #
The park is located near Riveira and Laxe in A Coruña province. Drive via the AG-11 and local roads; parking is provided at several access points. Regional bus services reach nearby towns, but a car is the most convenient option for reaching the park’s different trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park #
- Walk the wooden boardwalks to the dune systems early in the morning to see migratory birds and avoid the midday heat.
- Visit the Interpretive Centre at Carrasqueira for exhibits on dune formation and local wildlife.
- Bring binoculars for observing tern and wader colonies on nearby stretches of coast.
Best Time to Visit Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park #
Best visited from late spring to early autumn for beach and dune access; spring and autumn are quieter for birdwatching.
Weather & Climate near Dunes of Corrubedo Natural Park #
Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1205 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (155 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 27 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (168 mm) and partly cloudy skies.