The westernmost-end of the Cantabrian Mountains and the Ancares lie outside the main communication axes which were established when the road network was created in the final 19th century. Throughout the 20th century this has decisively contributed to the peripheral nature of these townships. To the east of the area, the opening of the pass of Leitariegos has created a north-south communication route across the mountains right outside IVGA. The western passes of the Trayecto, Cienfuegos (also known as Cuadro), or Ancares are of less importance, serving only local needs. The whole district of the Ancares (the eastern part of Lugo province and northwestern end of León province), as well as the southwestern corner of Asturias have been surrounded by longer roads connecting Galicia and Asturias with the Meseta. Thus, the Navia valley is currently not one of the main routes to the Cantabrian coast.
The development of the official road network throughout the 20th century and the pronounced hierarchy it has adopted in the last three decades has also impoverished the area’s transportation, which has only resented the accessibility problems. Nonetheless, roads conceal a much denser network of roads and trails which have allowed local and inter-township communications through the centuries. From paths to bridleways to dirt roads have been completing the communication network, albeit their abandonment has made this role difficult. Using these, local inhabitants could access resources, such as in the brañas, markets, religious centres or celebrations, as well as connecting with the broader road network.
In IVGA we study historical roads and trails connecting the Bierzo and Ancares, so we can better understand how these territories were articulated. This interested was prompted by the need to understand the Roman decision to establish their camps at A Recacha and A Granda das Xarras. These locational decisions revealed interesting facts about access and circulation through the centuries. From east to west there was an axis that crossed the Montes de León, connecting Astorga with the Bierzo basin, which was already in place in the Roman period. The construction in the latter third of the 1st century of the road XVIII or via nova was reinforcing this route. Throughout the Middle and Modern Age there is indication of the importance of this route, which coexisted with the Camino de Santiago, somewhat to the south and also possibly established over a pre-existing Roman route.
This east-west axis was the basis of several historical routes heading north. One of the most relevant for IVGA is the one that led from San Román de Bembibre to the A Corredoira mountains following the Fornela valley, as well as the one that stems off from Cacabelos to the pass at Ancares through Vega de Espinareda. Historical information from the Middle Ages to the latter 18th century has been used to understand the possible routes of these trails using 19th and 20th century cartography, aerial photography and field surveys. Toponyms, information on stone or wooden bridges, mountain passes used, routes designated as caminos reales, etc. All this information has been included in order to understand historical communication routes through and around this area.