Two visits on the same road and in the same day. Down below, the Holy Cave set into the rock and the pink basilica above the gorge, which is the founding site of Asturias. Up above, twelve kilometres of bends to two glacial lakes right in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park.
The road up from Covadonga is spectacular in itself, and at the top there are viewpoints, short walking routes, and the chance to see horses and cows grazing freely. You can do as much or as little walking as you like: from a short walk to see the lakes to circular routes of several hours.
The weather up there has nothing to do with the weather on the coast: fog comes in fast and it can be cold even in August. It is worth bringing a warm layer and looking at the mountain forecast, not the valley one.
A little history
This was the first national park in Spain: it was declared in 1918 as the Montaña de Covadonga National Park, around the massif where tradition places the Battle of Covadonga in 722, the victory of the Asturian king Pelayo that became the founding myth of the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula.
- From the house
- 1 hr 15 min by car
- Duration
- 8 hr
- Admission
- €9
Getting there
Without a car
Regional bus from Oviedo to Cangas de Onís and, from there, service to Covadonga. To go up to the lakes there are buses from Cangas and from the shrine itself.
By car
An hour and a half from the house. You can always get to the shrine; the climb to the lakes is regulated in season.
Before you go
- In high season private cars cannot drive up to the Lakes: you go up on the shuttle from Cangas de Onís, and in summer it is worth booking the ticket ahead.
- The adult ticket includes the shuttle. Children aged 4 to 11 pay less, and under-3s go free.
- At Easter and from June to September private cars do not go up to the lakes: you park below and go up by bus, with a ticket bought in advance.
- The shrine on its own can be done in a morning. The lakes take the whole day.
- Fog changes the plan completely up there. Look at the mountain forecast, not the valley one.
- In the basilica and the cave silence is asked for and clothes that cover the shoulders: it is a working place of worship.
Prices and opening hours link to the official source; they are never copied onto this site.
