Walking the Lakes of Covadonga

What it is

It is the PR-PNPE 2 circular route in the Picos de Europa National Park: it links the two Covadonga lakes, Enol and Ercina, at more than a thousand metres above sea level, above the Covadonga sanctuary. They are glacial lakes surrounded by pasture, cows and the peaks of the western massif. The long route is 5 km and about 2 h 30; the short one, 3 km and an hour. The total height gain is about 50 m up and as much down, and the Park classes it as low difficulty.

The route step by step

It starts at the Buferrera car park, which is also the bus stop.

1. Pedro Pidal visitor centre: the Park recommends going in. It has exhibitions and a model of the Picos that helps you understand what you are about to see. Add an hour if you visit it at leisure.
2. Príncipe viewpoint: out and back along the same path, with a view over the valleys.
3. Buferrera mines: the path crosses the old iron and manganese workings and goes down to Lake Ercina.
4. Long loop: from Ercina it goes round behind Mount Mosquital, passes through the Bricial meadow and the Palomberu beech wood and comes out at the Enol meadow, beside Lake Enol. From there you return to Buferrera.
5. Short loop: from Ercina you climb to the Entrelagos viewpoint, which sees both lakes at once, go down to Lake Enol and return to Buferrera on a comfortable paved path. It is the option most people take.

The route is waymarked as PR-PNPE 2. The Park publishes a map and a profile as a PDF on its website.

How to get up: car or bus

The CO-4 road climbs from Covadonga. On restricted-access days no private cars go up at all and you have to take the bus to the lakes. In 2026 these are: 28 March to 12 April, 18 and 19 April, 25 April to 1 May, every weekend in May, daily from 1 June to 18 October (with the odd exception), 24, 25 and 31 October, 1 and 2 November and 1 to 8 December.

• Park-and-ride car parks: Cangas de Onís bus station, El Bosque, Muñigu, El Repelao and El Peregrino, in Covadonga. All cost €3 per vehicle per day; on the busiest days you may wait up to an hour to park.
• Ticket: €9 return for adults, €3.50 for ages 4 to 11 and free up to 3. You buy it online in advance, choosing a stop and time; at the car parks only spare places are sold.
• Times: the first bus leaves at 8:00. Until 30 September the last bus up is at 17:45 and the last bus down at 20:50; from October to 8 December, at 16:00 and 19:05.
• Taxis: Taxitur runs shared taxis up from Covadonga for €12 per person, with no booking, until 19:00.

On unrestricted days you can drive up, although the Park may close access if the road or car parks become overloaded. Motorhomes and vehicles over 5 m cannot go up on restricted days. Bicycles are not affected.

When to go

From May to October the pastures are green and there is livestock in the meadows. September and early October are quiet and have good light. In winter there may be snow and ice on the road and the path. In fog, which is frequent here, the Park warns of the risk of losing your way, especially on the long loop: if it closes in, stay on the short one, which follows a paved path.

With children and a dog

The short loop is suitable for almost any child who walks; with a pushchair, only the paved path between Enol and Buferrera. The buses have a space for dogs in the boot, at no charge; in the meadows keep your dog on a lead, because there are cows, horses and sheep roaming free.

What to bring

Hiking or sports shoes with a good sole, a waterproof and a warm layer: it is considerably cooler up there than in Cangas. Bring water and something to eat. If you go up by bus, note down your time for coming down.

Where to sleep

Near Cangas de Onís you have Camping Picos de Europa and, for motorhomes, the El Lleráu area.