Estany de Malniu, Glacial lake in Meranges, Spain.
Estany de Malniu is a mountain lake in the Tova Valley situated at about 2,250 meters elevation with granite shores. The water body spans roughly 400 meters in length and 230 meters in width.
The basin formed roughly 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age through glacial activity in the Pyrenees. Retreating glaciers carved out this mountain water body from the rock.
The lake sits within a protected area that shelters adapted species like alpine newts and mountain trout. These animals depend on the cold, clear waters found at this altitude.
Reaching the lake requires a roughly 40-minute walk from the Malniu Refuge parking area, where a daily fee applies to enter the protected zone. The trail is clearly marked and passes through areas with signs explaining the local plants and wildlife.
The surroundings feature ancient black pine forests and acidic mountain meadows that create special biological conditions. This natural combination makes the lake a home for organisms that thrive in such specific environments.
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