Covadonga Lakes Picos de Europa
Glacial lakes nestled in the Picos de Europa, offering stunning mountain vistas and a serene natural escape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Covadonga Lakes Picos de Europa
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Glacial lakes nestled in the Picos de Europa, offering stunning mountain vistas and a serene natural escape.
"Incredible views and totally worth it! The scenery is breathtaking!"
🚗 Access Restrictions
Private cars are restricted most of the year. Use the ALSA shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís.
🎟️ Book Bus Tickets Early
Buy your ALSA bus tickets online in advance, especially for weekends, to avoid long queues.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lake Enol
Covadonga Lakes
The larger of the two glacial lakes, offering stunning reflections of the surrounding Picos de Europa mountains.
Lake Ercina
Covadonga Lakes
A picturesque glacial lake, often quieter than Enol, with beautiful green pastures and grazing cows nearby.
Mirador de Entrelagos
Between Lake Enol and Lake Ercina
A viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of both lakes and the dramatic mountain landscape. Worth the short walk!
Covadonga Basilica
Near the lakes
A stunning neo-Romanesque basilica perched dramatically on a mountainside, a significant pilgrimage site.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Bus Tickets in Advance
Dress for Mountain Weather
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Access Restrictions
Private cars are restricted most of the year. Use the ALSA shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís.
🎟️ Book Bus Tickets Early
Buy your ALSA bus tickets online in advance, especially for weekends, to avoid long queues.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are recommended.
🧥 Pack Layers & Jacket
Mountain weather is unpredictable. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and be prepared for wind.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Access Restrictions
Private cars are restricted most of the year. Use the ALSA shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís.
🎟️ Book Bus Tickets Early
Buy your ALSA bus tickets online in advance, especially for weekends, to avoid long queues.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are recommended.
🧥 Pack Layers & Jacket
Mountain weather is unpredictable. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and be prepared for wind.
🍎 Bring Snacks & Water
Food options at the lakes are limited and can be pricey. Pack your own to save money and time.
📸 Capture the Views
The scenery is breathtaking! Allow ample time for photos and soak in the natural beauty.
🐄 Watch for Cows
Cows roam freely. They are part of the landscape but keep a respectful distance.
🚶♀️ Walk Between Lakes
A beautiful one-hour walk connects Lake Enol and Lake Ercina, offering stunning perspectives.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the breathtaking natural beauty of the Covadonga Lakes, describing them as a must-see destination with incredible views and a serene atmosphere. The walk between the lakes and the surrounding mountain scenery are frequently highlighted as major attractions. However, some find the bus journey to be a bit daunting, and advise booking tickets well in advance to avoid long waits.
"I'm glad I took a taxi rather than a bus. Off season (mid Oct) was not busy, great 2 hrs hike easy. Spectacular views."
Aneta
"Visited in early september so bus tickets in advance are a must! Bus ride itself was scary as hell for me but still we arrived safe as many others during ages. Up there the lakes and the short route was amazing, make sure to bring food, jacket and water."
Yoana Stamenova
"Incredible views and totally worth it! There are two lakes, and one requires driving a bit further up to the mirador, where there's a parking lot. It's definitely worth the trip, the scenery is breathtaking!
The mountain roads can get narrow in some spots, so drive carefully. Also, it’s still quite cold right now, so be sure to dress warmly—the wind can be pretty strong!"
Ariel Lin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
During most of the year, private car access to the Covadonga Lakes is restricted. The best way to visit is by taking the ALSA shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís. You can park your car in Cangas de Onís (parking costs around €2 per day) and catch the bus. +1
Private vehicles are generally not allowed to drive directly to the lakes for most of the year due to conservation efforts and to manage visitor numbers. You must use the official ALSA bus service or local taxis.
The main ALSA bus departure point is from Cangas de Onís. There are parking facilities available in Cangas de Onís, which is a convenient place to leave your car before boarding the bus.
The ALSA bus typically costs around €9 for adults and €3.50 for children. Local taxi services are also available but are more expensive.
Buses usually start running early in the morning, often from 8:00 AM, and run frequently throughout the day. It's advisable to check the latest schedule on the ALSA website or at the Cangas de Onís bus station.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, you need to purchase tickets for the ALSA shuttle bus to access the lakes. It's highly recommended to buy these tickets online in advance, especially during peak season or weekends, to avoid long queues.
Booking bus tickets at least a day in advance is strongly advised, particularly if you plan to visit on a weekend or during holidays, as they can sell out.
While there isn't a separate entrance fee for the Picos de Europa National Park itself, the cost of the ALSA bus service is your primary expense for accessing the lakes area.
The lakes themselves are natural formations and are accessible during daylight hours. The main access is via the ALSA bus, which operates on a schedule.
Parking in Cangas de Onís is generally affordable, with options around €2 for a full day, making it a cost-effective starting point for your visit to the lakes.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy scenic walks between the two main lakes, Lake Enol and Lake Ercina, take photos of the stunning mountain scenery, visit the small museum, and observe the local wildlife like cows and potentially eagles.
A typical visit to the lakes, including the bus ride and time spent exploring, can take around 1.5 to 2 hours. Many visitors also combine this with a visit to the Covadonga Basilica.
Yes, there is a beautiful and relatively easy walking trail that connects Lake Enol and Lake Ercina. It's about a 3-kilometer walk and offers fantastic views. +1
Bringing a stroller can be challenging due to the terrain and walking paths. It's often recommended to leave it at the bus station or near the parking area if possible.
You'll frequently see cows grazing freely around the lakes, which are a characteristic part of the landscape. Some visitors have also reported seeing eagles.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are limited food options directly at the lakes, and they can be quite expensive. It's advisable to bring your own snacks and water.
In Cangas de Onís, you'll find a good selection of restaurants and sidrerías offering traditional Asturian cuisine like fabada and cachopo. +1
Asturian cuisine is known for hearty dishes such as fabada (a bean stew), cachopo (large breaded veal cutlets), and local cheeses like Cabrales.
While convenient, dining options directly at the lakes are often pricier. Exploring Cangas de Onís for a more authentic and varied culinary experience is recommended.
Yes, bringing your own food for a picnic is a popular and practical option, allowing you to enjoy the scenery while dining.
📸 📸 Photography
The viewpoints overlooking Lake Enol and Lake Ercina, the Mirador de Entrelagos, and the reflections of the mountains in the water are prime photography locations.
Early morning or late afternoon often provide the best light for photography, with softer shadows and warmer tones. Sunny days offer vibrant colors.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient to capture the beauty. However, a wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the expansive landscapes.
There are no specific photography restrictions mentioned, but always be mindful of other visitors and the natural environment.
Popular shots include reflections of the mountains in the lakes, panoramic mountain vistas, grazing cows, and the iconic Covadonga Basilica.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider packing plenty of snacks and drinks, as food options at the lakes are limited and can be expensive. The bus ride itself can be an adventure for younger ones. Visiting the Covadonga Basilica can also add an educational and awe-inspiring element to the trip.
🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Enthusiasts
Remember to check weather conditions before setting out, as mountain weather can change rapidly. Comfortable hiking boots, layers of clothing, and sufficient water and snacks are essential for a rewarding hiking experience in this spectacular natural setting.
📸 Photographers
Aim for the golden hours (early morning or late afternoon) for the best light. Wide-angle lenses are excellent for capturing the vastness of the scenery, while telephoto lenses can be used to focus on wildlife like eagles or distant mountain features. Don't forget to capture the iconic Covadonga Basilica from various vantage points.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Access to the Lakes
It is highly recommended to purchase your bus tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting on a weekend, during holidays, or in peak season. Tickets can be bought online through the ALSA website or at the bus station in Cangas de Onís. Arriving early in the morning is also a good strategy, as buses can fill up, and you'll have more time to explore before the largest crowds arrive.
For those who prefer not to take the bus, local taxi services are available, though they are typically more expensive. Parking in Cangas de Onís is relatively inexpensive, making it a convenient starting point for your journey to this natural wonder.
The Natural Beauty of the Picos de Europa
+3Visitors often describe the scenery as otherworldly, with towering mountains reflected in the still waters of the lakes. The presence of grazing cows adds to the idyllic pastoral scene, a common sight in this region of northern Spain. The air is crisp, and the panoramic views are simply spectacular, making it a photographer's paradise and a nature lover's dream.
+1Beyond the lakes, the Picos de Europa offers numerous hiking trails for all levels, from gentle strolls around the lakes to more challenging mountain treks. The area is a testament to Spain's commitment to preserving its natural heritage, with the park being one of the oldest in the country.
+1Culinary Delights of Asturias
Another iconic Asturian specialty is cachopo, which consists of two large veal cutlets stuffed with ham and cheese, then breaded and fried. For cheese lovers, the pungent Cabrales cheese, a blue cheese produced in the nearby Picos de Europa region, is a local delicacy.
To truly experience Asturian food culture, consider visiting a sidrería (cider house) in Cangas de Onís. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes paired with sidra (Asturian cider), which is poured from a height to aerate it. This is a quintessential Asturian dining experience.
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