Serra dos Ancares

Serra dos Ancares
Sierra de los Ancares
General view of the range
Highest point
Peak	Cuiña
Elevation	1,987 m (6,519 ft)
Coordinates	42°46′05″N 6°53′53″W / 42.76806°N 6.89806°W / 42.76806; -6.89806Coordinates: 42°46′05″N 6°53′53″W / 42.76806°N 6.89806°W / 42.76806; -6.89806
Dimensions
Length	95 km (59 mi) NE/SW
Width	32 km (20 mi) NW/SE
Geography
Serra dos Ancares Location in Spain
Location	Lugo Province, Galicia León Province, Castile and León
Country	Spain
Parent range	Galician Massif
Geology
Orogeny	Variscan orogeny
Age of rock	Ordovician
Type of rock	Slate, limestone, sandstone, quartzite

Lugo Province, Galicia

The Serra dos Ancares (Spanish: Sierra de los Ancares, also known as Sierra de Ancares) is a mountain range of the Galician Massif in north-west Spain, extending in a south-westerly direction from the western end of the Cantabrian Mountains in Asturias.

The range forms the boundary between the autonomous communities of Galicia and Castile and León. The highest point of the range is the Cuiña Peak at 1,987 metres (6,519 ft). Other notable peaks are Mustallar (1,935 m) and Miravalles (1,969 m). The smaller Serra do Courel lies south of this range, stretching parallel to it.

The main trees in the range are willow and European alder close to water courses, as well as chestnut, ash, common hazel, oak and common holly. Above 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) there is brushland with tree heath and juniper.

This area of Spain contains many isolated rural communities that were largely cut off from the outside world until roads were built in the mid 20th century. The most significant element of the whole architecture of the area is the palloza or casa teito, stone buildings of astur origin, with a circular or elliptical plan.