Walk Round Carucedo Lake

Carucedo lake, five minutes by car from Las Médulas, can be circled by the Las Aves de Carucedo route: 6.5 km circular, an hour and twenty on foot or about twenty minutes by bike, according to the Junta. Beside the shore there is also an accessible path of 600 m. It is the plan for after lunch, or for anyone who wants no more slopes.

What you will see

The lake lies within the Las Médulas Natural Monument, at the foot of the Roman gold mine. The route is called Las Aves (The Birds) because the lake is a good place to watch them, and the Junta recommends it in every season. According to the Park House, fishing on Carucedo lake was one of the region's traditional trades, along with the care of chestnut trees and vineyards.

The two versions

The short one goes round the lake: 6.5 km flat, medium difficulty according to the Junta for the length rather than the terrain. The long one climbs up to Las Médulas: 9.95 km, about two hours and three quarters on foot or an hour by bike. If you want a full day, you can start at Las Médulas on the Reirigo trail, which comes down the ridge to Carucedo, and finish with the walk round the lake.

The accessible path, of 600 metres and about fifteen minutes, is designed as an accessible path, also for pushchairs.

Getting there and parking

The lake is next to the village of Carucedo. In Carucedo is the Natural Monument's Park House, on Calle de Abajo, where you can start: there they explain the zones of Las Médulas and how to visit them, and the hours change with the season.

Tips

Bring binoculars if you are interested in birds and go first thing or at dusk. In summer, bring water and sun protection. With children, the short version by bike is a good plan; if you have no bikes, they can be rented at the Visitor Reception Centre in Las Médulas.

For sleeping by the lake, La Peregrina is in Carucedo. And if you come from Ponferrada, Cornatel castle is on the way.