Lagos de Covadonga, Glacial lakes in Picos de Europa National Park, Spain
Lagos de Covadonga refers to two glacial bodies of water set at roughly 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) elevation within the Picos de Europa range. Mountain meadows spread between them, framed by rounded hills and steep limestone walls rising on all sides.
The area remained a remote grazing ground for traveling herders for many centuries, far from any major route. A paved road was built in the 20th century, opening the region to visitors for the first time.
Local shepherds bring their livestock to graze around these alpine meadows during summer months, following centuries of pastoral practice. The stone huts nearby still produce regional cheese using traditional methods passed down through generations.
Private cars cannot drive up the mountain road from June through September, and visitors must take a shuttle bus leaving from Cangas de Onís instead. Outside those months, the route remains open to private vehicles as long as weather permits.
The water surface reflects surrounding peaks so clearly on calm days that visitors often struggle to tell where the mountains end and their mirror image begins. On certain autumn days, shrubs around the shore turn red and orange, adding warm tones to the rocky landscape.
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