Lago del Valle Hike in Somiedo: Route, Difficulty & Tips

By Roberto (Updated Oct 26)
⏱️ 7 minutes

Tucked into the Cantabrian Mountains, Lago del Valle is the largest natural lake in Asturias and one of the highlights of Somiedo Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The trail starts from the tiny village of Valle de Lago, climbs gently through a glacial valley dotted with traditional stone brañas (seasonal shepherd settlements), and ends at a mountain lake surrounded by peaks.

We spent 3.5 days in Somiedo and hiked this route on our third day. Both Ellen and I agree that this is the activity and place we liked the most in the area and we could easily say it’s one of the valleys we now like the most in Spain. We have to admit that we got really lucky with a sunny day, pleasant temperatures and vibrant autumn colours. In case you’re planning your own visit, here’s everything you need to plan.

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Lago del Valle at a glance

Figures vary a little between sources depending on the exact variant, so treat them as a guide and check a GPS track before you go.

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How to get to Valle de Lago

Valle de Lago is reached by a narrow, winding road of about 8 km that leaves from Pola de Somiedo, the main village of the park. It’s a steep, twisty drive, so take it slowly, but the views on the way are a good warm-up.

Parking: Parking inside the village itself is limited. Most visitors leave the car in the larger parking area just past the end of the village, close to a fountain, which is also where the trail begins. It’s free parking but limited. In case you can’t park there, there are other spaces in the village (few) and other places where you can park on the way. but we advise to go early in the morning in case you’re visiting on a weekend in summer.

Where to stay

We drove there taking 1 hour from our Hotel Rural La Bolera, at the south of Somiedo, but the perfect location to use as a base is Pola de Somiedo.

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The route, step by step: shade up, sun down

The trail from Valle de Lago has a well-signposted split, so you can choose between two paths to the lake: the camino de sombra (shady path) and the camino de sol (sunny path). We went up on the shady path and came back on the sunny one, and we’d recommend the same combination because you get two different vibes.

1. Valle de Lago to the fork. 

From the parking area, you head out of the village and follow the marked trail up the valley. After some minutes you reach the point where the route splits. This part is easy and you start to have an idea of the views: with peaks along the sides of the path and at the end, and cows everywhere.

2. Up by the shady path (camino de sombra). 

The shady path is a narrower trail, more of a proper path than a track, and it keeps you under tree cover for much of the climb, which makes a real difference on a warm day. It passes traditional brañas, including the Braña del Gabitón, and while the path is more earthy and rocky, the views are wonderful and feels fresh.

3. The Pradera del Valle. 

The valley opens out into a wide meadow, with a final short climb to the lake. You can’t see the lake until the very end. There, you can walk around the lake or simply go to a hill, where you’ll find the perfect spot to have a break and stretch your legs. We had our lunch nearby with views of the lake and with space to take photos and relax before going back.

4. Lago del Valle. 

The lake is of glacial origin and is the largest in Asturias, at around 24 hectares and roughly 1,580 m above sea level. It’s also known locally as Lago del Ajo. Honestly the lake just looks nice when you see it from the ground, but looks incredibly awesome from the sky.

5. Back by the sunny path (camino de sol). 

The sunny route is a wide track that is closed to regular traffic, used only by livestock owners and park management. It has little shade, but it’s easy underfoot, and on the way down you’re not fighting the climb. Doing it in the afternoon, when the sun is lower, makes it more pleasant too. Definitely it feels easier than the other path, and it was rewarding too. We passed by hundreds of cows laying in the grassy meadows, and the general views of the autumn colours in the surrounding was really appealing.

Which way round? 

You can do it in either direction, but shade on the way up and sun on the way down worked well for us, since the climb is when you feel the heat most. Would we recommend hiking this way? Absolutely.

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Difficulty: is it hard?

The classic out-and-back route to the lake is considered easy to moderate, mostly on a wide, well-defined track. The effort comes from the distance and the steady climb rather than technical terrain. The longer loop is a proper half-day hike and better suited to people comfortable with 14+ km. We did this hike with Lara (adding 11 kg on Ellen’s back), taking breaks, enjoying and with no rush. We felt a bit tired after the hike, but we can’t say it was difficult. So, I’m sure you can make it =)

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Tips for hiking Lago del Valle

• Start early. Mornings are quieter, the light is better, and mountain weather in Somiedo can change quickly in the afternoon. We hiked from 11:30 to 16:30.
• Bring layers and rain gear. At this altitude it can be cool and misty even in summer.
• Sun protection for the return. The sunny path has little shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and extra water, especially in summer.
• Water and snacks. There’s no refreshment point on the trail, so bring what you need.
• Walk respectfully. You’re in a protected natural park. Keep to the track, take rubbish with you, and don’t disturb the livestock grazing in the meadows.
• Keep an eye out for wildlife. Somiedo is famous as brown bear country, but sightings are rare and bears keep their distance from people, so don’t count on it. We saw tons of cows, birds and flowers.

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What else to do nearby

Lago del Valle pairs well with the other lakes in the park, the Lagos de Saliencia, which start from the Alto de la Farrapona mountain pass and make a great second hike. See our guide to the Lagos de Saliencia. If you’re visiting as a family, we will also write about Somiedo with a todddler, and for a full overview of the park, see our Things to Do in Somiedo guide.

In case you have more days to spend in the area, Asturias is well known for Picos de Europa, another Natural park with tons of things to see and some of the best hikes in Spain. Doing a road trip including Somiedo and Picos de Europa is an amazing idea if you have a chance. Check our dedicated post below.

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