Lake Enol
The larger lake.
Jose Manuel Garcia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · JavierOlivares — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pacodonderis — CC BY-SA 4.0 · JavierOlivares — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Luis Cayola — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Lakes of Covadonga are two glacial lakes, Enol and Ercina, in the Picos de Europa mountains of Asturias, northern Spain, about 14 km southeast of Cangas de Onís and 71 km east of Oviedo in a straight line. They were the original heart of the Picos de Europa National Park, created in 1918. Lake Enol lies at about 1,070 metres and is one of the biggest in the area, with Lake Ercina a short distance away. A winding road climbs to them from the Covadonga sanctuary, and every 25 July a shepherds' festival with folk dancing is held by Lake Enol. Green pastures grazed by brown Asturian cows wrap around the still water, with sharp grey limestone peaks rising behind, snow-capped in winter and spring. On calm days the mountains are mirrored in both lakes, and mist often fills the valley in the morning. An easy trail circles both lakes in about two hours, and longer routes head off into the mountains. In summer and on holidays the road is closed to private cars, so visitors go up by shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís.
The larger lake.
A short walk away.
On the pastures.
Picos de Europa National Park, Asturias, Spain
Not in summer or on holidays; take the shuttle.
About two hours around both lakes.