The Five Lagoons of Gredos
One of the most spectacular places in the Sierra de Gredos . The distance and relative difficulty of the routes that lead to the Five Lagoons They have kept them safe from the overcrowding that other areas of the regional park may well suffer. Here are our advice and recommendations for any hiking lover who feels strong enough to go up to meet them.
FROM NAVALPERAL DE TORMES
There are various routes to reach the Five Lagoons . The most common is the one with from Navalperal de Tormes . Depending on our legs and our rush it can take between 5 and 7 hours (one way) from the town to our destination, so unless we are in top shape it is usual to do at least one night in between. This will force us to carry a bag and mat in our backpack , to which we should add food and plenty of water , since there are no fountains along the way (we will be able to take water from the river, although we recommend taking water purification tablets in this case).
In addition to, of course, mountain shoes, we must also bring hat and sun protection , since we will hardly find shade on our way. The advantage of doing the excursion in the middle of summer is the long hours of light and the possibility of taking a bath in the river along the way, as well as the pleasure of being able to sleep in the open. The drawback is the excess heat, so depending on our preferences we will have to assess whether or not it is better to do it in spring (when the days begin to lengthen) or in autumn (before it gets dark too soon).
To take our route we must cross the town of Navalperal de Tormes (on the north face of the Sierra de Gredos, which we will reach via the AV-941, about two hours by car from Madrid) along the Camino del Port of Candeleda . This street will take us to the La Alameda car park (1,240 m), located on the banks of the River Tormes. There we will catch the route marked as PR-AV 35 , which will take us parallel to the Pinar Gorge . A long climb with some false flat where the green of the meadows predominates (if the summer sun has not dried them) and the gray of the rocks.
After about eight kilometers we will arrive at the Barranca Refuge , free to use, in good condition to spend the night and with capacity for about ten people . It is at 1,650 m high, so we will have reached half the altitude of our adventure. this is the point where the first day ends for many hikers , who choose to spend the night here before facing the vertical ascent that we will find shortly after. Others prefer to take it off the first day and bivouac on the heights, on the shores of a lagoon.
Laguna Grande, the great mirror of the Sierra de Gredos
The vertical we are referring to is after the Majalaescoba Lagoon , a peaceful place where many conclude their route. Ahead we have North Gate of the Five Lagoons , a vertical ascent of about 150 meters of unevenness where our physique and our vertigo will be put to the test, but with patience and caution anyone can save it.
Once at the top, the first of the five lagoons will welcome us and tell us that everything has been worth it. From north to south, and from lower to higher altitude, they are Laguna Bajera (2,073 m, 1.0 ha), Laguna Brincalobitos (2,074 m, 0.1 ha), Laguna Mediana (2,097 m, 0.3 ha), Laguna Galana (2,101 m, 1.6 ha) and Laguna Cimera (2,103 m, 4.6 ha). Five lagoons of glacial origin belonging to the head of the Pinar Gorge , a tributary of the Garganta de Gredos, which shortly after pours its waters into the Tormes River at the beginning of our route.
On the shores of the lagoons we will not be able to see more than two at a time . A spectacular high mountain landscape that is accentuated if we get to see snow-capped peaks around us, and that will reward those who spend the night with a priceless starry sky free of light pollution. Once we have seen them all, here we would only have to retrace our path to the town of Navalperal de Tormes, although the bravest can also continue for another three hours to the Big Lagoon (which we are going to talk about now) and even spend the night in the shelter on its shores.
FROM THE GREDOS PLATFORM
Another option is to make the route from the Gredos Platform (1,780 m) . The only drawback is that we will need at least two cars: we will go with both to the Navalperal car park, we will leave one there and we will all get into the other to go up to the Platform, the car park that is accessed from Hawthorn Holes (upon payment of 3 euros per car).
Elola Shelter
There are several advantages of doing it this way: firstly, we will make a circular route and we will not have to undo what we have walked; secondly, we will do it for a place as spectacular as the Great Lagoon of Gredos ; thirdly, and if we feel strong enough, we can complete the route in a single day (about ten hours), removing a considerable weight from our backpack; and in fourth, we will find two sources to the Laguna Grande, although they are of untreated water.
From the Platform we start the route to the Laguna Grande, 6.4 kilometers long and a maximum drop of about 400 meters which we will do in about two hours along the PR-AV 17 path. Shortly before arriving, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Circo de Gredos. From the Morezón (left) to the Mogota del Cervunal (right) we will see all its peaks, crowned by the Almanzor, which with 2,592 meters of altitude It is the highest in the Central System.
Upon reaching its shore (1,900 m) we will see the sign that leads to the Five Lagoons . Another three hours of kicking where the hardest section will be included: almost 500 meters of unevenness in just 3 kilometers. The pass that will take us to our destination is at 2,362 m, a good point to climb towards Galana (the second highest peak in Gredos). Once passed, everything will be lowered. We will plant in 30/40 minutes in the Laguna Cimera (the largest and furthest to the south), and from here it will be the path to Navalperal de Tormes that we have described before. To the hiker's taste.
Gredos, wild and perfect to get lost in nature