Valle del Lago

Valle del Lago (El Vaḷḷe in Asturian) is the village in Somiedo Natural Park where the road ends and the glacial valley leading up to Lago del Valle, the largest lake in Asturias, begins. It is the most convenient base for walkers: the trails start in the village itself and the car can stay where it is.

For more services, restaurants and shops, the main village, Pola de Somiedo, is back down the road. The other settlements are in the villages of Somiedo.

How to get to Valle del Lago

Take the local road that leaves Pola de Somiedo and climbs the valley to the village, where it ends. For the way to Pola, see how to get to Somiedo.

The car stays in the village. The track that carries on towards the lake is passable by vehicles, but traffic is restricted to farmers and park management, so you park before reaching the L'Auteiro quarter. In summer and on long weekends the car park fills up early.

Lago del Valle

This is why almost everyone comes here. The lake lies at 1,580 metres, at the foot of the Picos Albos, and at around 24 hectares it is the largest in Asturias. It is glacial in origin, although a dam raised its level to feed the La Malva hydroelectric plant; hence the small island in the middle.

You walk up on the Ruta del Lago del Valle (PR.AS-15.1, 6 km, 2h 30min). That is the distance and time for the way up: allow about 12 km and 5 hours for the round trip. There are two ways and most people combine them:

• The sunny side (El Sol): the main track, wide and easy, with views of the whole U-shaped valley.
• The shady side (La Sombra): a path along the opposite slope, through a beech wood, cooler in summer.

More on this and the other lakes of the park in the lakes of Somiedo.

Other walks from Valle del Lago

• Ruta de la Braña de Sousas (PR.AS-16.1, 3 km, 1h 30min): climbs to a braña of corros, round stone huts, at the bottom of a glacial cirque. Far quieter than the lake walk.
• Ruta del Puerto - Valle del Lago (PR.AS-16, 9.5 km, 4h 30min): a linear traverse that arrives in the village from Santa María del Puerto. You need to arrange the return.
• In snow, two of the winter routes start here: Lago del Valle on snowshoes and Peña Orniz on skis.

All 13 waymarked trails are in hiking in Somiedo.

What to see in the village

Valle del Lago is spread over several quarters. L'Auteiro, which the lake trail passes through, has good examples of traditional architecture, and on the way to the Braña de Sousas there is a watermill that still has its broom-thatched teito roof. All around, hay meadows enclosed by stone walls fill the valley floor.

Where to eat in Valle del Lago

In the village itself, without moving the car, there are Restaurante Valle de Lago and La Cobrana (Casa Cobrana). What to order at each is in where to eat in Somiedo. Book ahead in summer and on long weekends.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Lago del Valle?

No. The road ends in the village of Valle del Lago, and the track that continues to the lake is restricted to farmers and park management. From the village the lake can only be reached on foot.

Where do you park in Valle del Lago?

In the village car park, before the L'Auteiro quarter, where the walk begins. It fills up early in summer and on Spanish long weekends, so arrive first thing.

How long is the walk to Lago del Valle?

The Ruta del Lago del Valle (PR.AS-15.1, 6 km, 2h 30min) starts in the village itself. Distance and time are for the way up: the round trip is about 12 km and 5 hours. It follows a wide track with no technical difficulty.