{"id":2177733,"date":"2024-09-26T18:57:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T17:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2177733"},"modified":"2024-09-26T18:57:18","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T17:57:18","slug":"4-best-lake-trails-in-picos-de-europa-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/4-best-lake-trails-in-picos-de-europa-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Best Lake Trails in Picos de Europa National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you dreaming of a peaceful retreat in Spain? This country is a paradise for hikers \u2013 every corner deserves to be explored. However, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bookatrekking.com\/en\/blog\/picos-de-europa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener follow\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Picos de Europa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> National Park, located in the northern region of Spain, remains a special place that is visited by millions of nature enthusiasts every year. This area is known for its breathtaking landscapes. Besides, it offers the best lake trails in Europe. Let\u2019s take a virtual tour through the best lake trails in Picos de Europa and learn what makes each one special.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lake trails you will not forget.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can be more rewarding than finishing a hike with the breathtaking view of a pristine lake? Luckily, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Picos de Europa National Park has plenty of lakes you can enjoy. What are the best trails?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Lakes of Covadonga<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the two most accessible lakes in the area &#8211; Lago de Enol and Lago de La Ercina. They are located over 1000 m above sea level. These spots are worth visiting to see their stunning reflections and surrounding landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trail details<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Ruta de Los Lagos is a circular hiking route that connects Lago de Enol and Lago de La Ercina. It stretches for 8 kilometres (5 miles) and takes 3-4 hours. You can start the hike from either the bus stop or parking near Lago de Ercina.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>How to get there? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Covadonga Lakes are just over 90 kilometres from Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. However, it is better to start from the town of Cangas de On\u00eds (about 35 minutes by car via the AS-262 and CO-4 highways).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What will you see? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The trail offers panoramic views of mountains and valleys. You may even encounter local fauna representatives such as chamois or deer.\u00a0 In spring and summer, surrounding meadows are covered with wildflowers and look like a fairy tale. This trail is suitable for hikers of various skill levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lago de Valle<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a tranquil and immersive hiking experience, this option is the best. The lake is located in the heart of the park and is surrounded by dramatic cliffs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trail details<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/hiking-trails\/somiedo-natural-park-hike-to-lago-del-valle-110635382\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">route to Lago de Valle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a tougher hike. It is a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) round-trip and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. The hike has a difficult elevation gain and hard paths and is better for experienced hikers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>How to get there?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Get by car to the village of Valle del Lago in Somiedo Natural Park. From the parking area, follow the clearly marked trail that gradually climbs toward the lake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What will you see?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> As you move up, the trail will open stunning views of the surrounding peaks, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls. The landscape changes from dense forests to open alpine meadows. When you reach the lake, you will find a perfect place for rest and pictures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lago de Bricial<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a lesser-known lake that rewards hikers with its beauty and remote location. It is situated in a more secluded area of the park and is a great place for those who love solitude.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trail details<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The hike to Lago de Bricial is a moderate trail that stretches for 10 kilometres (6.2 miles). It actually continues the Ruta de Los Lagos trail and is a round-trip with a gradual ascent through varied terrain. The hike takes around 4-5 hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>How to get there?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The most convenient route starts from the small Santiago Chapel in Vega de Enol. It takes about an hour to reach the destination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What will you see?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The ideal time to catch a glimpse of this fascinating &#8220;intermittent&#8221; lake is during the spring, when the thaw occurs\u2014if you&#8217;re lucky. You can take a circular route, starting at La Ercina and returning through Enol or the other way around.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lago de las Mo\u00f1etas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is one of the park\u2019s more remote lakes. It provides a serene hiking experience in a pristine alpine setting. It is a great peaceful escape.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trail details<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The hike to Lago de las Mo\u00f1etas is a 14-kilometer (8.7 miles) round-trip journey. The hike usually takes 5-6 hours and has a moderate level of difficulty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>How to get there?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> From Sotres, take the trail toward the \u00c1liva Valley, following the marked paths that lead through scenic mountain landscapes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>What will you see?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This trail features scenic alpine meadows and rare flora. You will admire the lake\u2019s tranquil waters and the surrounding landscape.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tips for hikers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>When to visit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? For the best experience, hike these trails from late spring to early autumn. During this time, the weather is milder and the trails are more accessible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What to bring<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Make sure to pack sturdy hiking boots, clothing suited to the weather, plenty of water, and a map or GPS device. It\u2019s also a good idea to bring a first aid kit and some snacks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Safety tips.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Always check the weather forecast before you start, as conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Let someone know your plans and your expected return time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s time for an adventure!<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you ready to explore the stunning lake trails of Picos de Europa National Park? Choose one of the routes described above or find something even more exciting in the area. Whether you are seeking breathtaking views or peaceful retreats, your hiking experience will be unforgettable!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Lead Image: Espa\u00f1ol: Vista del lago de Enol en Lagos de Covadonga Asturias (Espa\u00f1a) by Txo on Wikimedia Commons.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you dreaming of a peaceful retreat in Spain? This country is a paradise for hikers \u2013 every corner deserves to be explored. However, the Picos de Europa National Park, located in the northern region of Spain, remains a special place that is visited by millions of nature enthusiasts every year. This area is known [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1178,"featured_media":2203032,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Lagos_de_Covadonga_lago_de_Enol.jpg\/800px-Lagos_de_Covadonga_lago_de_Enol.jpg?20170418190222","fifu_image_alt":"4 Best Lake Trails in Picos de Europa National Park","footnotes":""},"categories":[6988],"tags":[3322,12187,7867,189,422],"class_list":["post-2177733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","tag-espana","tag-lake-trails","tag-mountains","tag-spain","tag-waterfalls"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2177733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1178"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2177733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2177733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2203032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2177733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2177733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2177733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}