Porrón de los Lagos: Hiking Asturias’ Quiet Mountain Lakes

Why Porrón de los Lagos Stands Out

Tucked into the eastern Asturian mountains, Porrón de los Lagos rises above a series of small glacial tarns that give the peak its name. The landscape mixes open limestone plateaus with pockets of beech forest and summer wildflowers, creating a compact but varied hiking destination that feels remote even on busy weekends.

Planning Your Visit

The best months are late May through early October, when snow has cleared the upper slopes and the small lakes reflect clear skies. Spring brings rushing streams and blooming slopes; autumn offers quieter trails and golden beech woods. Winter visits are possible for experienced mountaineers with crampons and ice axes, but route-finding becomes difficult under snow.

Getting There and Trail Access

Most visitors start from the village of Caso or the nearby hamlet of Veneros, both reachable by car via the AS-17 road from Oviedo. A signed forest track leads to a high parking area at roughly 1,200 m; from there a clear path climbs steadily through meadows to the first lake basin. The full round-trip to the summit and back via the ridge takes five to seven hours for fit walkers, with 700 m of ascent. No permits are required, though the area lies within a protected landscape so dogs must stay on leads.

Key Highlights Along the Way

• The lower lake, often mirror-calm in the morning, reflects the surrounding peaks and makes an ideal picnic spot.
• Continuing upward, the trail crosses a broad limestone pavement dotted with seasonal pools before reaching the main summit cairn.
• On clear days the view extends across the Picos de Europa to the east and the Cantabrian Sea to the north.

Nearby Attractions

After descending, combine the hike with a visit to the traditional villages of the Redes Natural Park, where wooden hórreos and cider mills still operate. The nearby Collado de la Farrapona offers additional short walks and panoramic viewpoints without the same elevation gain.