What to see in the lakes of Covadonga

Lakes of Covadonga

Explain what to see in the lakes of Covadonga It means talking about the wild and beautiful nature and the incredible landscapes of the National Park of the Picos de Europa. But also of the deep spirituality of the religious group of Covadonga.

And, a little more distant, it means meeting the first capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, which then coincided with the Spain christian: the village of Cangas de Onis. If you want to discover what to see in the lakes of Covadonga, we will show you below and we will also talk about those other places that contribute to giving its landscape a historical and legendary touch at the same time.

How many and how are the lakes of Covadonga

Ercina Lake

The Ercina, one of the lakes of Covadonga

The Covadonga lakes are a wonder of nature located in the western massif of the Picos de Europa. They belong to the council of Cangas de Onis and they are about fourteen kilometers from the Covadonga Sanctuary, from where the only road that reaches them.

They are two lakes of glacial origin, to which another is added in times of thaw. The first are the Enol and the Ercina, while the third is the Bricial. The first of those mentioned is the closest to Covadonga and also the largest. Its length is about seven hundred and fifty meters, while its width is around four hundred. Likewise, its maximum depth is twenty-five meters, while it is more than a thousand high. As a curiosity, you will be interested to know that there is an image of the Virgin of Covadonga sunk in its waters. And that is extracted every September XNUMX, the day of her festivity, to take her in procession.

In turn, the ercina lake It is the second one that you will find in an ascending direction, since it is located at an altitude of about XNUMX meters. It is also smaller, although its extension is close to eight hectares. Likewise, it is less deep, since its maximum draft is around three meters.

Both lakes are separated by the so-called Enol Pillory and between them there are about six hundred meters. This leads us to talk about the viewpoints that you will meet on your ascent to the lakes. Exactly, you have one in the pillory. It is reached by following a stone path and offers wonderful views of the western massif of the Picos de Europa.

The lakes of Covadonga

Another beautiful image of the lakes of Covadonga

But he is more famous Queen's lookout. It is located about eight kilometers from the Basilica of Covadonga and has parking. From it you have wonderful views of the northernmost part of the Picos de Europa, with the Güeña river valleys. Even on clear days, you will see the Cantabrian coast.

Another magnificent viewpoint is that of the Canons, which is closer to the sanctuary, specifically only two kilometers. You will find it on the left hand side of the road that ascends to the lakes and, since it is lower, it offers more humble views than that of the Queen, although equally beautiful.

On the other hand, in the vega of Enol Do you have the King's viewpoint, with information panels and views of the spectacular pome beech. And near the parking lot buferrera, about which we will speak to you again, you have the prince lookout, which looks out to the vega de comeya. Finally, in the sohornin peak, more than a thousand meters high, you have the gazebo of the princess, with Lake Enol at its feet. However, if you want to see extraordinary landscapes, you can do one of the hiking trails that you have in the area.

What to see in the lakes of Covadonga: the routes on foot

Buferrera mines

Route of the Buferrera mines

both from the Covadonga Sanctuary as from points closer to the lakes, you have hiking trails that bring you closer to magical and wonderful places. But we want to recommend two routes that stand out for their beauty and simplicity.

The first starts from the Buferrera car park and is only three kilometers long. It leads to the already mentioned El Príncipe viewpoint, and at abandoned mines of Buferrera. These were opened in the XNUMXth century and came to have five hundred workers. Today a beautiful walk through its facilities has been created where informative sign about them. In just thirty minutes, you will have completed this route.

The second, on the other hand, is longer. It's about a circular tour to the lakes. Likewise, it leaves the Buferrera car park and also passes the Príncipe viewpoint. But then continue to Lake Ercina. Bordering this on its right bank, you will arrive at the beech palomberu and then to the vega del enol. After this, the homonymous lake appears, which you will have to skirt to return to the starting point.

However, if you consider yourself an experienced hiker, you also have other beautiful routes in the area. Thus, the one that starts from Buferrera to travel to the Jultayo peak passing through the Vega de Ario refuge. Or also the one that goes from the parking lot itself to the flock of Belbin.

How to get to the lakes of Covadonga

bricial lake

El Bricial, which you will only see in the Covandonga lakes when there is a thaw

La road CO-4 It is the one that leads to the lakes. It is taken turning left just a little before the esplanade of the Covadonga Sanctuary. From there, you must follow a winding path, but of great beauty until you reach the first of the lakes. However, this road is usually restricted to private cars. In exchange, you have a special bus line that makes the route from several points.

Thus, you can take this transport in your own Cangas de Onis. But also in the car parks of El Bosque, Muñigo and El Repelao, closest to the sanctuary of Covadonga. If they have kept the most recent prices, the journey costs nine euros for adults and 3,5 for children under 12 years of age. It is also free for those under three. The public transport It is the option that we advise you to go up to the lakes because it is the most comfortable.

What to see around the lakes: Sanctuary of Covadonga and Cangas de Onís

Cangas de Onis

Roman bridge of Cangas de Onís

Once we have explained what to see in the Covadonga lakes and how to get to them, we want to talk to you about the two most emblematic places in the area. Its about Royal Site of Covadonga and from the town of Cangas de Onis. Both are a must for everyone who comes to this part of Asturias.

Also, it is very close to the lakes. We have already mentioned that the first one is just fourteen kilometers away and is a place of obligatory passage to reach the lagoons. As to Cangas de Onis, is barely twenty-one, which translates into about thirty-five minutes of travel.

The Royal Site of Covadonga

Basilica of Covadonga

Basilica of Santa María la Real, in Covadonga

It is, therefore, the closest to the lakes. Its core is Santa Cave, which, according to tradition, was where the Virgin Mary appeared to Pelayo. For this reason, it houses the sanctuary chapel with Santina's image, as the Asturians call it. According to the Renaissance chronicler Ambrose MoralesPelayo himself and his wife are also buried here. However, many historians doubt this.

From an aesthetic perspective, the most beautiful place in Covadonga is the Basilica of Santa Maria la Real, built at the end of the XNUMXth century by the architect Federico Apparici, who endowed her with a neo-romanesque style. As a material, he used a beautiful pink limestone. However, there was a previous temple on the site that was destroyed by fire in 1777.

Other buildings complete the set of the Royal Site of Covadonga. Among them, the one of the Escolania, which houses a museum dedicated to the sanctuary, and the Diocesan House of Spiritual Exercises. But maybe it's prettier Royal Collegiate Church of San Fernando. Not in vain, it has been a national monument since 1884. Also, statues of Pelayo, two lions and even a huge bell and an obelisk adorn the place.

Cangas de Onis

Villa Maria

Villa Maria, in Cangas de Onis

We now come to Cangas de Onís, a beautiful town that, as we have already told you, was the first capital of the Kingdom of Asturias. Its great symbol is the Roman bridge, which is really medieval, since it was built during the reign of Alfonso XI of Castile, at the beginning of the fourteenth century. For his part, he Cortes Palace It is an XNUMXth century building that follows the classicist canons and the old Court, today Town hallIt is eclectic in style.

As for the churches, they stand out that of Santa Maria de la Asunción, with its unique bell tower with three staggered floors; that of Santa Eulalia de Abamia, whose origins are Visigothic and which would have been the tomb of Pelayo before being transferred to Covadonga, and that of Santa Maria, whose current forms are neoclassical. Refering to church of the holy cross, is a reproduction of another primitive. According to legend, they were also buried there. the king favila and his wife.

Other civil constructions complete the monumental heritage of the beautiful Cangas de Onís. Among them, they stand out Villa Maria and Monastery mansion. Both are sample of the indiana architecture. That is to say, that represented by the houses built by emigrants who returned from America enriched.

In conclusion, we have shown you what to see in the lakes of Covadonga. And also that you can visit in its surroundings. All this forms a wonderful set of spectacular landscapes and monuments from different eras. Come closer to Asturias and visit these places.


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