Covadonga Lakes Route

The Covadonga Lakes Route, in the Picos de Europa National Park, is one of the most popular and accessible routes in the Asturian countryside. This circular route, about six kilometres long and of low difficulty, allows you to enjoy some of the park's most representative landscapes: glacial lakes, beech forests, spectacular viewpoints and remains of the mining activity that marked the area's past.

The itinerary begins at the Buferrera car park, the usual starting point for the route, where there are pedestrian walkways that, if followed clockwise, lead first to the Pedro Pidal Visitor Centre, an information space on the history, geology and ecosystems of the park. From here, the path ascends to the Mirador del Príncipe de Asturias, which offers a wide panoramic view over the surrounding valleys and mountains.

The route then descends to the Minas de Buferrera, where vestiges of the old iron and manganese mines are still preserved. The path continues towards Lake Ercina, one of the two large glacial lakes in the park, allowing for a detour to the Entrelagos Viewpoint, a privileged location that allows you to contemplate Lake Enol and Lake Ercina at the same time, separated by a narrow strip of land.

From Ercina, the route continues along its shore, advancing towards El Bricial Lake, which only shows its waters during the thawing season. Further on, the path enters the Palomberu beech forest, a small wood that adds variety to the landscape before leading to the Vega de Enol, a wide meadow where the Ermita del Buen Pastor hermitage and a mountain refuge are located.

The last section of the route borders Lake Enol, the largest of the whole, whose waters reflect the surrounding mountains, creating one of the most iconic images of the Picos de Europa. From here, the path leads back to the Buferrera car park, thus closing a circular walk that combines nature, history and rural culture.

The Covadonga Lakes Route is ideal for families or for those who are looking for a quiet hike in the high mountains, without great physical demands but with an exceptional scenic reward. An essential route to discover the essence of the first national park in Spain and one of the most emblematic natural spaces in Asturias.